莱佛士大学活动
Unseen JB town stories
(Un)Seen JB Town Stories: Reflecting on Hidden Narratives Through Design
On 18 April 2026, the Bachelor in Graphic Design (Honours) at Raffles University successfully hosted (Un)Seen JB Town Stories at KOTAJAIL, Ayer Molek. The one day showcase brought together students, creatives, and members of the public to explore the overlooked and everyday stories of Johor Bahru through the lens of design, culture, and community.
Organised in collaboration with KOTAJAIL, the showcase was part of the Graphic Design and Society module, where students conducted field research across Johor Bahru and translated their findings into meaningful visual responses. The works presented highlighted narratives that are often unnoticed from local environments and communities to personal encounters within Johor Bahru.
The event featured a series of engaging programme highlights. The Student Sharing & Open Dialogue session allowed visitors to gain deeper insights into the students’ creative processes, research journeys, and the stories behind their projects. This was followed by a Panel Talk, Live Graffiti Demo, which sparked conversations on design’s role in shaping social awareness while bringing energy and interaction into the space.
The panel session featured Nurul Izzati binti Ramlee (Jaie Ramlee) and Afiqe Fariq (apayangfresh), who shared their perspectives on creative practice, storytelling, and community-driven design. The session was opened by the Chief Creative Officer of KOTAJAIL, En. Fadzir Shohimi (En Kecik), who set the tone for the dialogue and engagement throughout the programme.
Organised in collaboration with KOTAJAIL, the showcase was part of the Graphic Design and Society module, where students conducted field research across Johor Bahru and translated their findings into meaningful visual responses. The works presented highlighted narratives that are often unnoticed from local environments and communities to personal encounters within Johor Bahru.
The event featured a series of engaging programme highlights. The Student Sharing & Open Dialogue session allowed visitors to gain deeper insights into the students’ creative processes, research journeys, and the stories behind their projects. This was followed by a Panel Talk, Live Graffiti Demo, which sparked conversations on design’s role in shaping social awareness while bringing energy and interaction into the space.
The panel session featured Nurul Izzati binti Ramlee (Jaie Ramlee) and Afiqe Fariq (apayangfresh), who shared their perspectives on creative practice, storytelling, and community-driven design. The session was opened by the Chief Creative Officer of KOTAJAIL, En. Fadzir Shohimi (En Kecik), who set the tone for the dialogue and engagement throughout the programme.
A closer look at the overlooked moments that shape Johor Bahru’s identity
Beyond a showcase, (Un)Seen JB Town Stories served as a platform for connection, bridging academic learning with community engagement. The initiative also reflected the programme’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
The event saw encouraging participation and support from attendees, creating a vibrant environment for dialogue, reflection, and appreciation of design as a tool for storytelling and social impact.
As the exhibition concluded, it left behind not only a collection of student works, but also a renewed awareness of the unseen layers that shape Johor Bahru’s identity.