Meet Firdausiyus

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Firdausiyus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Firdausiyus, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Thank you for having me. When I was a child, I was a quiet observer, more comfortable with sketchbooks and imagination than with playground conversations as many kids did at that time. While others built friendships easily, I often found others considered me on different side as many people thought. In the solitude situation, I discovered a silent companion: ART. By drawing and making artwork, I make my own way to connect with life whereas the real world felt distance.

Growing up in Indonesia particularly born in Javanese family, I was surrounded by layers of local wisdom and timeless ancestor values; traditions that teach empathy, humility, and balancing with nature and life. I began to see that stories are not just entertainment but also vessels of meaning that carry the essence of who we are. These cultural roots became the foundation of my creative identity, showing me that art can both express and preserve the soul of a place.

There is a Javanese philosophy that continues to guide me: “Hamemayu Hayuning Bawono” means enhance the beauty and preserve the harmony of the world. Before my father passed away, once he told me, “Wherever you go, never forget your roots, your culture.” Those words became my compass. I also hold another deep Javanese philosophy: “Urip iku Urub” — live is to give light, this Javanese local wisdom has a deep meaningful philosophy which means be a human who give positive impact and be useful to others. For me, art is the light, a humble offering to enlighten, to care, and to remind others that beauty of art is an act of kindness.

Through my journey as an animation designer in particular working across illustration, animation, and motion graphics, I have taken part in TV commercial projects in several brands, independent short film, and several international collaborations exploring themes of cultural identity and social connection.

At this stage of my journey, my greatest challenge is finding harmony in between craft, technology, and the meaning itself. The creative world moves at an incredible speed; new tools, especially Artificial Intelligent (AI), reshape how we produce, think, and define art itself. From the deepest of my heart, I still believe in the essence of hand-made creation in which others consider as slow process but I think its slow and meditative process can give the emotion and feel while making and enjoying the creative process. That is the space where I feel humanized in which art becomes a reflection of the soul. Yet in the professional world, especially within the fast-paced creative industry, AI has not only become an option but also a necessity. It is a language we must learn if we want to keep moving forward.

I’ve come to realize that perhaps I don’t have to choose between them. My path can hold both a traditionalist at heart and a learner of new languages, embracing change without losing my roots. The key is awareness: to let AI assist the hands but never replace the heart; using technology as a bridge, not as the essence. I believe art must remain human at its core, while AI serves as a tool that helps us adapt to the evolving creative landscape.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As an animation designer, I work across illustration, animation, and motion graphics, exploring how visual storytelling can connect people emotionally. I specialize in creating illustration and animation that draw inspiration from culture and human experience, bringing characters and ideas to life in ways that feel both personal and universal.

One of the works I’m most proud of is POTRET, my debut short animation that opened many doors for me. The film was streamed on the digital platform GoPlay Indonesia, received second place at the Dutch Animated Film Festival 2024, and was screened at several international events. Beyond animation, my artwork has been featured in cultural exhibitions supported by embassies and creative institutions, showcasing the richness and diversity of Indonesian visual language through a contemporary lens.

From commercial motion projects to independent visual art projects, I’ve learned that the most meaningful creations are those that balance craft and sincerity. Each project becomes a dialogue, between idea and execution, artist and audience. I believe art is not merely about visuals; it’s about evoking feeling and building bridges between people, cultures, and ideas. Through every frame, I aim to translate emotion into motion — to craft visuals that move not just on screen, but within the heart.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think 3 things have shaped my path the most: Observation, Vision, and Creativity.

OBSERVATION is my very first teacher. From the time I was growing up, I understood how to observe things differently, how light moves on human faces, how cartoon movements come alive on television program. It taught me how to look, not visually perhaps, but emotionally. Timing, spacing, and easing must be understood in motion design and animation in order to provide motion with life. Strong drawing, painting, or sketching skills are fundamentals in illustration. In addition, I have realized that observation also applies to the digital space, to understand how the best software for animation pipeline in your place, how a good illustration tools behave, and how every frame carries its own energy.

VISION, which gives the direction to the art. Vision means adaptability: the ability to embrace and reshape yourself with new technologies while staying true to your values. It’s about finding ways to adapt to new software, new medium, and new ways of thinking. Technology can accelerate production, but vision ensures that what we create continues to carry intention, emotion, and meaning.

CREATIVITY, fuels to make everything I want to do. A strong imagination and the ability to think beyond boundaries are vital to develop original visual solutions to design challenges. It reminds me that design is not about decoration but also about communication. In a campaign or in a film, creativity helps me interpret emotions across cultures. My Javanese roots taught me that harmony (sense) is the heart of movement, every movement must serve meaning.

My advice to the beginners; stay curious, be yourself, and be like a sponge that always absorb new knowledge everywhere on this planet. Being an expertise in this field is not just a matter of mastering the software but also listening to rhythm, to people, and to your own creative heartbeat. Your art will have its own voice eventually.

There is so much more I have to learn and discover. It is a long journey, but that’s what make it so wonderful!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes — I always open to make collaboration, especially with people who share the same curiosity about storytelling, vision and culture. I believe that great collaborations happen when different perspectives meet and create something that neither could have done alone.

I’m particularly interested in working with artists, filmmakers, writers, and creative studios who explore identity, emotion, or social connection through visual media. I also enjoy partnering with cultural organizations or cross-disciplinary artists who want to merge traditional values with contemporary form, whether through animation, motion graphics, or visual art.

For me, collaboration isn’t just about combining skills; it’s about shared intention. The most meaningful projects come from teams who listen deeply, respect differences, and work with sincerity.

If you’re reading this and feel that our creative visions align, I’d love to connect whether it’s for a project, exhibition, or idea exchange. You can reach me through my website, linkedIn or Instagram at @firdausiyus, where most of my works and updates are shared. Let’s create something that moves both the screen and the soul!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deviantart.com/dafirr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firdausiyus/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammad-firdaus-416343180/