Shaped a Grande, Bold, and Strong Identity for an Uplifting "Indonesia Banget!" Media Outlet /2013/
YEAR
2013
CLIENT
Good News From Indonesia
ROLE
Brand Identity Design
Creative Direction
Indonesians grew up with the grand (his)story of our nation—resilience, unity, and the fight for freedom in centuries. A land of diverse cultures and abundant natural wealth, often called the Emerald of the Equator. This uplifting narrative once fueled optimism, but over time, it faded under the storm of negative news.
That’s where Good News From Indonesia (GNFI) stepped in—a media platform dedicated to relentlessly spreading positivity, restoring optimism, and rebuilding national confidence.
But how do you translate that mission into a single, timeless visual identity—one that feels unmistakably ‘Indonesia Banget!’ and reignites the spirit of optimism?
This was the challenge put on the table when in 2013 Akhyari Hananto (Founder and Editor-in-Chief) and Imam Muttaqin (now GM People & Product Development) approached me to design the logo for Good News From Indonesia (GNFI). GNFI was an emerging platform with a unique mission, and it needed an identity bold enough to stand out in the fast-changing digital media landscape.
Good News From Indonesia is an independent platform dedicated to promoting positivity and optimism by sharing inspiring news about the country. Unlike traditional media outlets that often thrive on sensationalism, GNFI operates on a different belief: good news is good news.
83.61% Pessimists.
The need for GNFI became evident after a 2008 survey conducted by the founder and 300 volunteers revealed a startling statistic—83.61% of Indonesian youths felt pessimistic about the country’s future, overwhelmed by the constant wave of negative news.
GNFI was created to bridge this gap, highlighting Indonesia’s achievements, progress, and cultural richness to restore national pride.
From the outset, I knew this couldn’t be just another minimalist media logo. It had to be bold, intricate, and deeply Indonesian. GNFI’s mission is grand, so its visual identity had to reflect that scale and ambition.
I explored multiple directions—some modern and sleek, others deeply rooted in Indonesia’s cultural symbolism. But simplicity wouldn’t do justice to a country as vast and diverse as Indonesia. We embraced complexity not as clutter, but as meaning—a design that mirrors Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands, 1,300+ ethnic groups, and endless untold stories of progress.
Indonesia is certainly not a perfect country, and perhaps it never will be. But this nation is extraordinary—and will always be. Merdeka!
So many inspirations crossed my mind—phrases that encapsulated Indonesia’s essence, history, and spirit. The Emerald of the Equator spoke to the country’s natural beauty, while From Sabang to Merauke represented its vast archipelago from west to east, unified by a shared identity. Batu dan tongkat kayu jadi tanaman described Indonesia’s fertile land, where even stones and sticks can grow into trees.
Other phrases carried a deeper patriotic weight. Merah Darahku Putih Tulangku (My blood is red, my bones are white) expressed an unbreakable national spirit, and Merdeka atau Mati (Freedom or Death) echoed the sacrifices made for independence. Each phrase held Indonesia’s history and aspirations. The challenge was not just to design a logo but to infuse it with a soul—one that Indonesians would instantly recognize as their own.
A logo isn’t just a symbol—it’s an identity, a feeling. For GNFI, the challenge was to create a mark that felt unmistakably Indonesia Banget!, literally means very Indonesia or truly Indonesia. A media that represent Indonesia, with the nation’s spirit, history, postive vibes and aspirations. The logo itself had to be more than just a design; it needed to carry the weight of Indonesia’s story while inspiring a movement of optimism.
This new identity reinforced its role as a platform that uplifts national confidence, making optimism and progress its visual and editorial DNA. It also boost recognition as a trusted, positive media outlet in Indonesia.
From my understanding, this project wasn’t just about designing a logo—it was about shaping an identity that reflects Indonesia’s grandeur, diversity, and relentless optimism. A designer, I was happy for this chance to create something that resonates with my people and country.
Beyond the Project
Following the initial branding work, I continued as Good News From Indonesia’s creative director until 2016, overseeing the brand’s visual presence and leading a team of creatives. My role extended beyond design—I worked with national companies, and government entities, ensuring GNFI’s visual storytelling remained impactful and aligned with its mission.
CREDITS
Imam Muttaqin—Project Lead
Akhyari Hananto—Editor in Chief, Good News From Indonesia