One of our absolute favorite photographers on the island. She’s helped capture incredible moments from TEDxUbud, The Dinner Series, The Creative Refresh, and more. Neyna is also a graphic designer with a sharp eye and even sharper mind.

(Ajeng and Neyna were housemates at the time of this interview. Spot the moments that make this strong bond clear.)

What are you?

A coconut tree.

What are you working on at the moment? Work and play

Currently, I am working remotely as a part-time graphic designer at a Singapore-based digital agency, where my scope of work is around UI/UX designing. Also, I have freelance work and an ongoing online course about design thinking. Aside from that, I am doing fun illustrations from Indonesian cinema/TV series like Petualangan Sherina and Si Doel Anak Sekolahan. I print them on postcards and send them to my friends.

What other than design what do you love doing and why?

I like reading books. Lately, I have read many books about eastern philosophy (ie. Japan, Buddhism, etc). Why? Maybe because in recent years I have learned to meditate and many from these books are indirectly aligned with my meditation learning process. Moreover, sometimes I need to ‘unplug’ myself for a moment from work and anything related to it.

What moves you to be who you are right now?

The Aries in me. Joking... Hmmm.. maybe because of the fact that what I do now reminds me a lot of my childhood. Since I was a kid, drawing and anything that is visually appealing has intrigued me.

Can you recommend 3 events you would like to sign up for online and participate in until the end?

A webinar series from the Gojek design team (@designatgojek)
Podcast WorkLife with Adam Grant & TED Invisibilia
‘Why Photograph?’, a webinar from Chennai Photo Biennale

How do you see pandemic improve yourself and your design?

I have been given space in the time of pandemic (and maybe others too?), to pause, sit back, relax and reflect on what I have done. Be it career, portfolio, relationships, or life in general. I have more time to study by joining online courses and more time to read books. Also doing things that I left behind for a long time such as doing illustrations.