BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Therapy for people with disabilities can be done by various media, such as arts.
Besides for entertainment, art makes these people much free to express their talents and abilities. Art can also affect their psychology, especially in maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
Art as a therapeutic medium has been proven by alumnus of the Department of Visual Communication Design (DKV), Faculty of Arts and Literature (FISS) Universitas Pasundan, Firli Herdiana.
The alumnus who serves as Vice Director of the Widyatama Art Therapy Centre and founder of The Special ID is actively providing therapy to children with special needs, both physical, sensory, mental, and intellectual disabilities.
“The Special ID is a platform created to connect disabled creator with people who are enthusiastic with unique and valuable work (connect), collaborate with experts to improve self-quality (collaborate) and present works in the form of products that are ready to be enjoyed by buyers/consumers (commerce),” he explained on Thursday, 20 October 2022.
Firli and other Widyatama Art Therapy Center teachers, who are mostly graduated from Unpas FISS Unpas, hone the skills of their students with a creative-based sensation or sensory stimulation method that combines artistic aspects, such as audio, visual, and kinetic.
“I myself teach graphic design. The therapy emphasizes how children express their imagination through graphic design,” he said on Thursday, 20 October 2022.
Designs and portfolios made by Art Therapy Center Widyatama students will be published on The Special ID website (thespecial.id) and can be purchased by individuals or brands.
“Our clients include Starbucks, Rexona, Otsuka, McKinsey & Company, USAID, and Indofood. Designs are applied to their products, such as tumblers, calendars, and others,” he added.
Not only graphic design, these people also learn music, dance, craft art, and many more. About 70% of their teachers were graduated from Unpas FISS, especially DKC, Music, and English Literature.
“They study for 3 years; its curriculum is equal to D3 curriculum. We want to provide opportunity for them to be able to live on their own, productive and able to support themselves through the sector of creative economy,” he concluded. (Reta)**
