KUCHING – The future of design came to life at GradX 2026 as graduating students from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus unveiled their industry-ready final-year projects that spotlighted the creativity, innovation, and technical expertise shaping the next generation of design leaders.
As the university’s semesterly final-year showcase organised by lecturers and students at Swinburne Sarawak’s School of Design and Arts (SoDA), GradX 2026 brought student creativity beyond the campus walls and into a vibrant public setting, connecting emerging designers directly with the wider community and industry.
The three-day public exhibition held at tHe Spring Shopping Mall from 12 to 14 June 2026 featured a diverse range of projects from graduating students across design programs, including Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, and Digital Media Design.
The event allowed visitors to explore immersive and forward-thinking works spanning branding, storytelling, animation, interactive media, and technology-driven experiences incorporating Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Chaired by Ts Michael Lee and co-chaired by Jasmine Ng, GradX 2026 reflected Swinburne Sarawak’s commitment to nurturing creative professionals equipped for the evolving demands of the design industry.
Raca Mulong (left) receives a token of appreciation from Professor Dr Brian Wong Kee Mun.
The showcase also underscored the university’s strong focus on industry collaboration and experiential learning. Through client-based and industry-driven projects, students were given valuable opportunities to apply their creative skills to real-world challenges while building professional experience and industry exposure.
The event’s official launching ceremony took place on 13 June 2026 and was graced by Raca Mulong, Pantu District Officer, representing YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts. The ceremony also featured remarks by Professor Dr Brian Wong Kee Mun, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Design, and Arts, and Caroline Sunisa Lau, GradX 2026 Student Chair.
In conjunction with the exhibition, SoDA also introduced its newly expanded creative pathways and minors, designed to help students build clearer professional identities aligned with the needs of contemporary creative industries. Rather than following a traditional minor structure, students can define their own career pathways through customised combinations that connect their skills, portfolios, and project experiences to specific career aspirations.
The pathways support a range of roles such as UX/UI Designer, Digital Product Designer, Spatial Designer, Motion Designer, 3D Artist, Animator, Content Strategist, and Interactive Experience Designer.
Examples include Communication Design paired with UX/UI Design for aspiring UX Designers and Digital Product Designers, Communication Design with Interior Architecture for Spatial and Exhibition Designers, Multimedia Design with UX/UI Design for Interactive Experience Designers, and Multimedia Design with Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation for careers in 3D art and animation.
Raca Mulong (left) tours the exhibition with Associate Professor Dr Predrag Nikolic (centre), Head of the School of Design and Arts at Swinburne Sarawak.
The initiative reflects Swinburne Sarawak’s commitment to producing adaptable, industry-ready graduates equipped with portfolios that align closely with evolving creative industry demands.
Beyond the exhibition, GradX 2026 also featured a lineup of interactive activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. These included a design forum led by Senior Lecturer Gregory Wee, a Media and Communication forum session led by Dr Christina Yin, Head of Department (Media and Communication), and a talk session on Human-Centric AI by JXING Tech’s Managing Director, Indran Gegathesa.
Hands-on workshops also enhanced the experience for visitors, such as an “Arts & Crafts Workshop” tailored for children aged 3 to 6, led by Dr Alicia Lim, Head of Department (Early Childhood Education), as well as workshops in digital animation and flipbook creation.
These activities provided opportunities for students, young learners, and the wider community to explore creativity, emerging technologies, and contemporary industry trends in an immersive and accessible way.
“The quality of our students’ work continues to grow stronger each year, and I would like to invite parents, students, and members of the public who are interested in design and multimedia to come and experience our students’ showcase,” said Ts Michael Lee, Chair of GradX 2026.
“I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to tHe Spring Mall for kindly sponsoring the venue as part of their continued support for education, youth development, and community engagement,” he added.
Jasmine Ng, Co-Chair of GradX 2026, shared, “We have a wider range of design works this semester, and this also marks the first time our diploma students will be exhibiting their projects beyond campus grounds. We hope this opportunity creates new possibilities for their future in design, and we are grateful to tHe Spring Mall for supporting us once again this year.”
The organising committee also extended its appreciation to supporting sponsors and collaborators, including John’s Pie, Angel Bakery, Jerald’s Cookies and Desserts, and JXING Tech, for their generous support in making GradX 2026 a success.
A visitor experiences a VR project presented at GradX 2026.
GradX continues to serve as a bridge between academia and industry, offering students the valuable opportunity to showcase their capabilities, connect with potential employers, and gain constructive public feedback. Over successive editions, GradX has grown into a highly anticipated showcase that attracts industry professionals, families, students, and members of the wider community.
SoDA continues to deliver industry-aligned education in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Digital Media Design, Media and Communication, and emerging technologies. The university remains committed to producing graduates who will lead the future of creative industries both locally and globally.
To explore Swinburne Sarawak’s design programs, visit here.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), LinkedIn page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak), or Xiaohongshu page (@SwinburneSwk).