Suka Studio and Its Creative Evolution
From animation and brand identity design to illustration, Suka Studio offers diverse visual practices in the creative industry. Behind its now well-recognized name lies a journey filled with challenges and pivotal decisions, rooted in the co-founders' dream of establishing their own creative studio. Suka Studio has undergone multiple phases—from early experimentation and team restructuring to solidifying its identity as a studio that continues to grow and produce high-quality works. *Grafis Masa Kini* spoke with Faddy Ravydera Montery, Co-Founder of Suka Studio, to gain deeper insights into the studio’s journey and creative practices.
Suka Studio was born from a long and transformative journey. Established in 2016 by a group of friends with a shared passion, the studio initially lacked a clear focus and worked on various types of projects, including video production, photography, and social media design. “At the beginning, our foundation wasn’t strong. We didn’t have a clear vision of what kind of studio we wanted. Even when I thought I knew, the reality of running it wasn’t as smooth as I had imagined,” Faddy recalled. In 2018, a major restructuring took place, leaving Faddy and Tantra Hardiantra as the two key figures leading Suka Studio. This turning point helped them sharpen their focus on two primary disciplines: design and illustration. By 2020, the studio expanded into animation, a decision largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a surge in demand for animation as an alternative to live-action video production. With the addition of team members specializing in animation, Suka Studio seized the opportunity to further develop its expertise. “COVID turned out to be a blessing in disguise for us. With many people unable to shoot live-action videos, more clients turned to animation. We took the leap, and today, we focus on three main disciplines: design, illustration, and animation,” said Faddy.
With three core disciplines, Suka Studio faces the challenge of balancing roles and managing workflow. As the Creative Director, Faddy initially handled all creative aspects, from design to animation. However, as the team grew, the studio developed a more structured approach. To improve efficiency, Suka Studio appointed division heads for design, illustration, and animation. These leaders oversee their respective areas, ensuring that each project aligns with the studio’s creative vision. Maintaining seamless coordination and communication between the team and clients is crucial, as every project varies in scale and complexity. This structured system allows Suka Studio to manage multiple projects efficiently without compromising creative quality.
Over the years, Suka Studio has worked with a diverse range of clients. In graphic design, they have developed the visual identity for the Museum Bank Indonesia, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s dynamic economic history and its transition to a more digital future. The studio has also been the creative force behind the branding of the Nusantara International Convention Center, Immanuel Church Jakarta, JAKHABITAT, Tebet Eco Park, and many more. Beyond graphic design, Suka Studio has produced commercial animation for brands such as Decolgen. More recently, they collaborated with VINDES on a 15-minute animated project for BBC Media Action. “This project focused on environmental issues, and VINDES approached it as an omnibus short movie series, with one episode being an animation,” Faddy explained. Embracing their ‘wild’ imagination, VINDES and Suka Studio crafted a horror-infused yet deeply human narrative about environmental destruction. “The animation tells the story of Indonesian ghosts,” Faddy said, describing how the team developed supernatural characters that felt relatable rather than purely terrifying. “We played around with imagination a lot. We wanted to create Indonesian ghosts that weren’t inherently scary but instead became ‘evil’ after being disturbed by humans,” he added. This collaboration with VINDES marked one of Suka Studio’s most significant animation projects to date—not only because of the exciting partnership but also because it was their longest and most challenging animated production. The experience pushed their team to new creative heights and reinforced their ambition to produce more animation in the future.
Another milestone project for Suka Studio was Tebet Eco Park. Initially hesitant to take on government projects due to bureaucratic complexities, the studio ultimately decided to seize the opportunity after recognizing its potential impact. The project covered a broad scope, from branding and signage to the creation of a concept book. One of the major challenges was that Suka Studio joined the project midway through its development. “The initial branding for Tebet Eco Park was designed by the architects, SIURA Studio. But since branding wasn’t within their scope, we took over,” Faddy shared. The team had to adapt to the pre-existing designs while navigating communication hurdles with contractors and government officials. Despite the challenges, the project proved highly beneficial for Suka Studio, significantly boosting its visibility and opening doors for new collaborations, including with property developers impressed by their work. “The process was quite long, but it allowed us to build strong relationships with many stakeholders. Some of these connections remain valuable to this day. Tebet Eco Park was a gateway to many new opportunities,” Faddy reflected.
In addition to client-based work, Suka Studio dedicates time to passion projects that allow for creative exploration. One such initiative was Creative Overdose, where the team experimented with various artistic ideas, leading to the creation of products such as illustrated scarves. They also ventured into board game design. Though these projects have become less frequent due to the increasing volume of client work, Suka Studio remains committed to fostering creativity within its team. Faddy believes that passion projects are essential, especially since many team members are artists at heart—seeking opportunities to freely express their creative visions.
Looking ahead, Suka Studio aims to further refine its artistic excellence and gain international recognition. In graphic design and illustration, they aspire to participate in global competitions and expand their presence beyond Indonesia. In animation, their dream is to break into the film industry. Inspired by big studios like Ghibli, Suka Studio strives to create visually compelling, cinematic works that resonate with audiences worldwide. With a spirit of exploration and innovation, Suka Studio remains dedicated to producing work that is not only visually stunning but also meaningful and impactful for a broader audience.
