About the Project

This is my design work for Bacarita Talks, a vibrant platform dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural tapestry and addressing social issues within the Banggai Regency. When I took on this project, the brand was struggling with a highly limited online presence that restricted their ability to organically engage with tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z. My primary goal was to take their immersive cultural narratives, podcasts, and community stories and bring them to life within a unified digital environment.

To solve these visibility and engagement challenges, I focused on designing an interactive web platform that centralizes their diverse content streams into a single, organized hub. My strategic approach centered on creating a seamless multimedia user experience that transforms a scattered digital footprint into a credible brand ecosystem, successfully opening up new avenues for audience interaction, community building, and digital monetization.

The design objectives are...

My 6-Step Design Process

This 6-step process is a refined take on classic design thinking framework, enhanced with technical insights I got from my professional experience. I applied this framework across these 4 projects to ensure every design is rooted in a clear "why".

1. 1
   Brief

   Gathering Information

   Asking the right questions to extract what's in their mind

   I've learned that the secret sauce is asking the right questions early on. I try to read the client's mind to make sure I truly get their expectations before I even start connecting the dots, it's all about getting those essential clarity before the clients/stakeholders leave the room.

2. 2
   Research & Moodboard

   Keywords to Concepts

   Focus on keywords that are easy to visualize

   I take all that raw information and find the most essential and useful keywords. I specifically look for words that can be visualized such as physical objects or particular adjectives like "sporty," "vibrant," or "luxury." These keywords are very helpful for starting my moodboard and make sure the visual direction isn't just a guess, but a directly translated from the clients/stakeholders mind.

3. 3
   Ideation

   Solving the Puzzle

   Design is about solving problems, not just decorating a page

   This is where the real creative heavy lifting happens. I use the client/stakeholder's core problem as the main "anchor" for every single idea I try to generate. It keeps me from being distracted by the "designers dilemma" (a.k.a just making things look pretty). If a design choice doesn't solve a problem, it is not a design just decorating. I'm hired to make things work through high-level creative thinking.

4. 4
   Wireframe & Prototype

   Building the Foundation

   Structuring the logic makes the creative phase 10x faster

   Before I get into the visual design, I build the skeleton first. This step is fundamental because it forces me to think purely about information hierarchy and user flow. It doesn't only keep me on the right track when I finally open the design tools, but it also speeds up the entire process in the long run. By narrowing down the solution early on, I can make sure the final design is laser-focused on the project's objectives.

5. 5
   Visual Design

   Aesthetics with Intent

   Beauty is the hook, but intentionality is what keeps them engaged

   Now, it's time for inserting the visual soul to the solid skeleton. Years of experience in design makes me very fluent in implementing most of the design principals that matter such as hierarchy, contrast, and composition. But it's not just about looking "cool". Every choice is made to build a genuine emotional connection with the target audiences and answer the "why" behind the design.

6. 6
   Delivery

   The Presentation

   I don't just sell the design, I sell the logic that built it

   I never just show the final design out of nowhere when delivering the result. I walk the clients/stakeholders through the entire step-by-step process before showing the result. By presenting the research and logic first, I help the clients/stakeholders understand the "why" before they even see the "what.". It transforms the presentation from just a simple hand-over into storytelling the project which validates the end result.

Understanding the Variables

Before designing anything, I mapped out who Bacarita is, what makes it different, and who it is really for. Getting these variables right up front is what keeps every later decision grounded in the brand and its audience.

First, I started researching...

Brand summary: Bacarita Talks operates as a dynamic digital storyteller rooted in the Banggai Regency, intentionally bridging the gap between historical heritage and contemporary community conversations. The platform honors local customs, traditional crafts, and grassroots perspectives by transforming them into highly relatable, forward-thinking content. By leveraging the expertise of local voices and adopting modern presentation styles, the brand empowers its community while keeping cultural preservation relevant for the digital era.

User persona 1

Farah University Student

Age 21 $500 – $3,500 Single Gen Z

"I want a digital space that lets me stay connected to my hometown's heritage through engaging, modern media that fits naturally into my student lifestyle."

Farah is a tech-savvy university student living in Jakarta, currently pursuing a degree in Cultural Studies. Originally from the Banggai Regency, she feels a strong personal desire to deepen her connection to her roots while balancing a demanding academic schedule. She actively participates in online forums discussing cultural identity and looks for platforms that can bridge traditional knowledge with modern viewpoints. Because she consumes media on the go, she naturally gravitates toward polished podcasts, interactive videos, and highly visual content.

User persona 2

Ahmad Hakim Local Businessman

Age 35 $20,000 – $50,000

"I need a platform that helps me scale my business using modern strategies, while keeping our traditional craftsmanship at the center of the story."

Ahmad is a driven and entrepreneurial individual who owns a small handicraft shop in Banggai Regency, specializing in traditional crafts unique to the region. He is passionate about preserving traditional craftsmanship and creating opportunities for local artisans. Ahmad is keen on expanding his business and wants to connect with a wider audience to promote Banggai Regency's unique handicrafts, hoping to contribute to the economic growth of his community. He seeks content that helps him learn about modern business practices while respecting traditional values.

The problem identification...

To ensure the final design drives tangible results, I first isolated the key challenges preventing an optimal experience. The following breakdown pairs these core pain points with deliberate, actionable solutions, setting a clear roadmap for how each fix will improve the product's performance.

The Design Showcase

About “The Level-Up Lab”