by Anne Das
More than 300 pieces of stunning student artwork honouring the uniquely iconic food of Ipoh were displayed to the public during the recent #MakanLocal exhibition organised by Quest International University (QIU)’s School of Communication.
Blending the creative pursuits of culinary and visual art through the eyes of our youth, the exhibition was hosted at La Place, a hip café on site at QIU.
A tribute to the city that QIU calls home, each student’s creation comprised a minimum of 15 pieces of brand identity designs and five pieces of advertising campaign materials. Each student chose a local delicacy to highlight and unleashed their creativity to showcase the delicacies through their imaginative perspective. The exhibition is also part of the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Advertising programme’s final year project.
“Ipoh is a truly unique city, globally recognised for its food, culture and attractions. Our exhibition pays tribute to the scrumptious food we have here,” said Yashila Issabelle, project manager and second-year Journalism student.
To the delight of those present at the event, in addition to the exhibition, QIU hosted the charismatic local celebrity Ryan Deedat who wowed those present.
During the sharing session, themed “Breaking into the Creative Industry: Tips and Tales from the Trenches,” Ryan delved into the challenges, triumphs, as well as shared his experiences in the industry.
The session was marked by impactful insights, practical advice, and shared experiences, leaving the audience inspired and better informed about the intricacies of the creative industry. Ryan’s story resonated with the aspiring talents present, creating an atmosphere of motivation and aspiration.
Besides being a fantastic opportunity for the public to appreciate and admire creative artwork, Professor Dr Adeline Kok, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences said the exhibition was an invaluable experience for the participating students. She noted that QIU’s School of Communication students had organised a similar exhibition at the university’s La Place café last year.
“We’re proud because the exhibition is an initiative entirely run by QIU students. The creative artwork was entirely created by our students who studied Advertising, and the exhibition is organised by a different set of students who studied Event Management.”
“At QIU, our studies involve experiential learning and this event embodies that in its entirety. Not only does it showcase what the students can do, but it is also an excellent exposure for me and my peers at the university,” added Prof Adeline.
The event also provided attendees and guests the opportunity for vibrant networking. It provided an opportunity for direct interaction with the creative minds behind the #MakanLocal Exhibition and fostered connections and collaboration within the industry.
