Learning beyond the classroom

THE learning process happens not only within the classroom or at college. Dasein Academy of Art encourages students to get out of their comfort zones and get involved in projects that engage the community.

Students from the Graphic Design programme organised the “UNFOLD” Concept Book Exhibition from Jan 25-27 at AKU Café and Gallery to showcase works from their editorial design assignment.

A total 17 publications of various themes, outstanding designs and personal heartfelt stories were exhibited over the three-day event.

The exhibition received great support from hundreds of visitors including local publishers, special interest groups, tourists and more.

It was a great learning platform as the students got to share their works with the general public and received both constructive feedback and compliments that motivated them.

Ventuno: an interracial love story by Nicky Chong Kar Yan was also featured in the Packaging of the World (POTW) archive, joining the ranks of many other creative designers from all over the world.

Dasein students were invited by Osim Malaysia to be part of its roadshow at Pavilion KL on March 2-3 to provide sketching and caricature for customers and mall-goers. It was a good exposure for the students – having to speed draw strangers at a public area under a lot of attention can be very challenging and nerve-wrecking; but the smiles and appreciation from the recipients was very rewarding and uplifting.

Derived from the German word dasein ('da : za-in), it means “existence” or one’s “presence”, which has inspired many famous philosophers, artists, poets and creative thinkers to discover and redefine the importance of their individual existence. With that ideal in mind, Dasein Academy of Art was established 22 years ago by a team of avid educators and professionals from the creative industry, who believe that the creative education is more than just a skill or job-oriented curriculum.

The college offers diploma programmes in six different majors including animation, illustration, digital media, graphic design, fine art and mass communication with intakes in January, May and September.

For course queries, campus visit and a look at the students’ showcase, come to the Dasein Info Day on March 20 and 21.

■ For more details, log on to www. dasein.edu.my

Students Lim Si Yi and Alisha Lee at the live sketching and caricature session at Pavilion KL during OSIM Malaysia’s roadshow recently. Right: One of the assignments on exhibit at “UNFOLD” Concept Book Exhibition.