Hi, I’m Rama, an HR representative at Bukit Vista, and I’m excited to share our experience at the recent guest lecture with the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Held on December 5, 2024, the session brought together academic insights and industry-world expertise, offering students an in-depth look at how UI/UX drives innovation at Bukit Vista.
The session featured Vidi, our VP of Engineering, who introduced Bukit Vista’s unique approach to UI/UX—integrating it into the marketing team to align design with brand consistency and storytelling. Nadia, our Marketing Manager and Senior UI/UX Strategist, shared how this structure enhances experiences for our key user personas: property owners, guests, employees, and potential talent. She highlighted the BV GO app, a platform designed to empower property owners with real-time data and seamless communication, as well as Bukit Vista’s website, which serves as a hub for guests, partners, and career seekers through our dedicated careers page. Her unique perspective on how design supports both user engagement and business objectives resonated with the students. One of her standout quotes during the session was:
“Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about meeting business goals by enhancing user experience.”
Nadia also shared her personal career story—starting as a UI/UX intern in the tech team and transitioning to her current leadership role in marketing.
The session was supported by Furqon, our Head of Employee and Culture, who managed on-site coordination with students, and Dr. Azhari SN Al-Azhar, a faculty member at UGM’s Department of Computer Science and Electronics, whose expertise enriched the discussions. Together, we ensured the session flowed seamlessly and provided students with actionable feedback and practical insights into user-centered design.
This wasn’t just another guest lecture—it was an interactive workshop where students shared their creative projects, engaged in Q&A sessions, and gained actionable feedback from industry professionals. The energy, curiosity, and innovation on display reaffirmed Bukit Vista’s commitment to inspiring future change makers in design and technology.
Key Highlights from the Event
The guest lecture was packed with engaging moments, as we explored the transformative role of UI/UX in achieving business goals, enhancing user experiences, and driving innovation. Here are some of the most memorable highlights:
A Unique Take on UI/UX at Bukit Vista
Vidi opened the session with a brief introduction to Bukit Vista, emphasizing our innovative approach to UI/UX design. Unlike many organizations where UI/UX sits within the tech team, at Bukit Vista, it resides in the marketing team. This sparked immediate curiosity among students, as Vidi explained how this structure aligns UI/UX more closely with branding and storytelling, ensuring a consistent user experience across all touchpoints.
Interactive Q&A: Challenges and Solutions
One of the session’s highlights was an interactive Q&A where students asked thought-provoking questions. For example, Ken Bima Satria asked why UI/UX was part of Bukit Vista’s marketing team and how the design team handles technical challenges. Nadia explained Bukit Vista’s EPD (Engineering Product Design) approach, where engineers, product managers, and designers collaborate to solve problems holistically. She highlighted how this model ensures technical and user needs are balanced while maintaining brand alignment.
Insights from Student Projects
The event transitioned into a workshop where students presented their UI/UX projects, receiving live feedback from Nadia and Vidi. These moments showcased the students’ creativity and provided valuable learning opportunities:
Redesigning Mandiri Livin’
Naufal Zahir presented his redesign of the Mandiri Livin’ app, focusing on features for priority banking users. Vidi questioned whether the target audience would value the proposed features, encouraging Naufal to simplify his approach and prioritize user needs. Nadia emphasized the importance of identifying specific pain points, relating it to Bukit Vista’s experience improving the BV GO app through targeted user feedback.
Comparing Recipe Websites
Tamara Rozendaal, an international student, recreated a recipe website to explore UI/UX principles. While her project demonstrated a strong technical grasp, Vidi encouraged her to focus on specific user goals, such as increasing signups or engagement. Nadia used the analogy of starting with a cupcake before baking a wedding cake, highlighting the importance of mastering small, impactful goals before expanding.
Simplifying UGM’s KKN Website
Dzaki’s project aimed to redesign UGM’s KKN website to improve usability. Nadia stressed the importance of user research, urging Dzaki to survey students to identify frustrations with the current platform. She also advised him to avoid redundant links and create a clear user flow, ensuring the redesign addressed actual user needs.
Key Takeaways from the Session
Here are some of the most impactful lessons shared during the lecture:
- UI/UX is a Strategic Tool: As Nadia highlighted, good design supports business goals by enhancing user engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
- Start Small and Scale Smart: Tamara’s project illustrated the importance of focusing on small, achievable goals before scaling up.
- Balance Technical and User Needs: Vidi and Nadia emphasized the role of collaboration in Bukit Vista’s EPD model, ensuring products meet both technical feasibility and user expectations.
- User Research is Essential: Dzaki’s project reminded everyone that understanding user pain points is the foundation of effective design.
- Design Beyond Aesthetics: The session underscored that UI/UX is about creating intuitive, efficient experiences—not just visual appeal.
Reflections and a Call to Innovate
Reflecting on this guest lecture, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with IUP UGM and witness such creative talent. The energy and curiosity of the students left a lasting impression, and I’m confident they’ll drive meaningful change in the future of design and technology.
To universities and students passionate about innovation, we invite you to partner with Bukit Vista. Whether through guest lectures, internships, or collaborative projects, we’re committed to inspiring and empowering future changemakers. Explore our community initiatives or discover career opportunities with us.
Together, let’s design a better future.