In formal terms, the design industry in Indonesia is still in its formative years. With all its resources, the country is, both in theory and practice, a hotbed for the creative industries. But it is still a far-from-ideal place in which to sustain a design business. Catching up with Indonesian designers on many occasions in Singapore and abroad, I have observed that there is a distinct way in which they talk about the design industry back home – it is with a strange mix of exasperation and optimism, and the conversation always ends on a hopeful note.

Alvin Tjitrowirjo is one of these designers. Being based in Indonesia, producing in Indonesia and marketing his products and services to the Indonesian market, Tjitrowirjo has his work cut out for him. “You’re constantly being pushed and pulled out of your comfort zone,” he says, adding: “It hasn’t been a smooth journey but it does motivate you.”

Jakarta-born Tjitrowirjo established his design business in 2006 and has become a household name within the Indonesian design scene. He is one of the few Indonesian designers with an international presence. His latest international appearance was in Milan Design Week 2017, for which he designed his country’s debut showcase in Tortona. IDentities: Handmade Indonesian Contemporary Design Pavilion was a massive feat for Indonesia’s design industry. “There is a lot of room for improvement, but it’s a good start,” says Tjitrowirjo.

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