The Beauty of Nature and National Values in the 79th Indonesian Independence Day Visual Identity
On Monday, June 24, the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) revealed the logo and theme “Nusantara Baru Indonesia Maju” for the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia (RI). This unified identity was established as a guideline in using the 79th Independence Day logo across various platforms. In collaboration with the Indonesian Association of Graphic Designers (ADGI), this visual identity standard was disseminated throughout various societal levels, from provinces to neighborhood associations, broadening public design awareness and offering valuable insights for professionals and design students.
Following the implementation of the ADGI Hub program for designing the 79th Independence Day logo, the government selected the work of Inggrid Wenas from Ideologie Design & Branding Studio Surabaya as the chosen visual identity. In an official statement released via ADGI’s Instagram page, @adgi.pusat, Inggrid Wenas briefly introduced Ideologie, which has been contributing to the graphic design industry since 2008: “A little story about us at Ideologie, where this journey began with a dream to create and give the best for the advancement of graphic design in Indonesia. We don't just follow trends; each work carries a message. Our vision is for Indonesian designers, talented young people, to be increasingly appreciated and recognized in this country.”
In the project to design the 79th Independence Day logo, Inggrid and Ideologie aimed to visualize Indonesia as a country rich in natural beauty and a spirit that continues progressing with the times without forgetting its cultural roots and national values. The beauty of Indonesia's natural wealth is reflected in the 79th Independence Day logo, which is organic and dynamic—differing from previous designs that tended to be bold and masculine. The Visual Identity Guidelines for the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia state that this year's visual identity depicts the flowing and interconnected nature of the land. This philosophy implies warmth, friendliness, and a close relationship between the country and its people. The repetitive and structured visual elements in this logo add strength and balance, reflecting professionalism in building the nation.
In the visual concept design for the 79th Independence Day logo, Inggrid Wenas translated various philosophical pillars of nationalism into visual forms. First, when looking at this chosen logo, one will notice separate shapes. This concept represents Indonesia as an archipelagic country, separated by water, yet harmonious under the Indonesian nation. The symbol of the Republic of Indonesia, the Garuda, is seen at the tip of the number "7" (seven), resembling its beak. The number "7" also resembles an upward arrow, symbolizing hope for Indonesia's growing economy through investment and export. The curves connecting the characters "7" and "9" (nine) represent sustainability as a principle of national development. The number "9" with branches and leaves, symbolizes development based on a green economy and a spirit of synergy with nature, cultural roots, and national identity. The legs of the numbers "7" and "9" are similar, presenting two joined hands as a symbol of the unity of the diverse Indonesian society. Finally, the two waves moving in the same direction represent Indonesia's goal of decentralization and achieving real and equitable development.
Not only in the main logo's visual concept, but Inggrid also designed graphic elements by adapting Indonesia's natural philosophy. The graphic patterns in this visual identity symbolize four of Indonesia's many natural riches: mountains, rivers, flowers, and trees, each with its characteristics. The Visual Identity Guidelines for the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia state: “The graphic elements are inspired by the patterns of natural wealth that have similarities in repetition and varied contours, creating a composition of several elements, such as lines, shapes, and textures, into a unity.” These graphic elements provide a rich yet harmonious visual variety, creating a fresh and dynamic visual identity.
Using these graphic elements, various design implementations for the 79th Independence Day celebration can be attractively applied, from posters, banners, and social media, to merchandise. The beauty reflected in the 79th Independence Day visual identity is not only aesthetically pleasing but also conveys a strong message about Indonesia's national values and the progress the country aims to achieve. The design of the 79th Independence Day logo reflects the efforts of graphic designers to create meaningful works that contribute to the national narrative.
The launch of the Independence Day logo is always a valuable moment for graphic designers in Indonesia. Through collaboration with ADGI, the government concretely connects official state sectors with the graphic design industry. Thus, design awareness expands, highlighting the importance of design in building close communication between the state and its people and evoking national pride. Inggrid Wenas feels honored and hopes the collaboration between the government and designers continues. In her official statement, Inggrid wrote: “We hope that more and more of our nation's children will have their work recognized and advance, following the development of the design world.”
With government support, as seen in the design of the 79th Independence Day logo, it is hoped that official state collaboration with designers will continue in the future, involving more graphic designers in national projects. This way, not only visual beauty is achieved, but also the spirit of nationalism and the noble values of Indonesia can continue to be voiced through creative works.
