Towards Jakarta 500: Open Hands for a New Jakarta

As it celebrates its 499th anniversary, Jakarta looks ahead to nearly five centuries of existence with optimism and ambition. To mark this historic milestone, the Governor and Provincial Government of Jakarta collaborated with the Indonesian Graphic Designers Association (ADGI) to organize a design competition for the official Jakarta 500th Anniversary logo.

Ten shortlisted candidates were selected, each receiving a design brief and two weeks to develop their concepts. The finalists then presented their work directly before Jakarta Provincial Government officials, a jury panel from ADGI, and representatives from Indonesia’s creative economy sector.

The number 500 carries the weight of history, urban development, economic transformation, and the many cultural encounters that have shaped Jakarta into the city it is today. On March 10, 2026, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung announced the winning design from the ten finalists. The proposal created by Suka Studio was ultimately chosen as the official logo for Jakarta’s 500th anniversary celebration. As Suka Studio began exploring what Jakarta residents truly wanted from this milestone, they uncovered an interesting insight.

“Jakarta residents no longer see the celebration of the city’s five centuries as merely a reflection on history, nostalgia, or historical landmarks. Instead, they view it as a moment for reflection and a starting point for Jakarta’s future,” said Faddy Ravydera of Suka Studio. From that insight, the direction of the logo began to take shape.

Suka Studio started its process with extensive research. The team conducted desk research through various articles and distributed a digital survey to approximately 260 people whose daily lives are connected to Jakarta—including residents, commuter workers living outside the city, and expatriates.

“We saw the Jakarta 500 logo as a voice for everyone whose life is connected to this city. They are all part of Jakarta’s development; they are the people who have shaped Jakarta into what it is today, and they want to contribute to its future. Therefore, they should also be represented in the logo,” Faddy explained.

From hundreds of survey responses, one pattern emerged consistently: people wanted this celebration to serve as a new beginning rather than merely an annual commemoration. They spoke about hopes, aspirations, and a desire to see Jakarta evolve as a Global and Cultured City.

The challenge then became how to translate those ideas into a visual form that would be memorable and universally meaningful. After exploring numerous concepts, the team ultimately chose the image of an open hand with five fingers. The number five represents five centuries, while the open-hand gesture is one of humanity’s most universal symbols of greeting, openness, and hope.

“The greatest challenge was creating a singular symbol with universal meaning—one capable of telling the entire story, along with the aspirations and hopes of Jakarta’s people,” said Faddy. “We went through many stages of sketching using different approaches before eventually narrowing them down to one design direction.”

The final form did not emerge all at once. The logo underwent multiple iterations and was gradually refined through discussions with the jury panel at each evaluation stage until it reached the version now presented to the public. The colors within the hand silhouette represent the diversity of Jakarta’s residents, who come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.

When a government institution chooses to involve a professional association and provide room for in-depth research, it reflects a growing awareness of the important role graphic design plays in shaping a city’s identity. Faddy views this as a positive sign.

“A greater awareness of the importance of strong and appropriate graphic design and visual identity for government and institutional needs can serve as an example for private businesses and the wider public. It is also a form of education from the government, demonstrating the importance of graphic design and other creative industries,” he said.

The logo of a commemorative event is often short-lived. It appears on banners, official invitations, and social media campaigns for several months before gradually fading from public view. Yet Faddy hopes its impact will extend far beyond the celebration itself.