Bandung, Indonesia – 2 July 2026
How can children learn about Indonesia’s rich creative industries while having fun? This question inspired researchers from the Center of Excellence (CoE) Karsaloka, Telkom University, to develop Indonesia Creative Quartets (ICQ)—an educational board game designed to introduce Indonesia’s diverse creative economy through interactive play.
The innovation was introduced during a community engagement program held at Tunas Melati Orphanage, Bandung, where around 25 children enthusiastically participated in learning activities centered around the newly developed card game.
Unlike conventional educational media, ICQ adapts the familiar quartet card game into an engaging learning experience. Each province is represented by four illustrated cards featuring iconic creative industries such as culinary arts, handicrafts, traditional performing arts, architecture, fashion, music, and other cultural assets. Through collecting complete sets of cards, children naturally explore Indonesia’s cultural diversity while strengthening their communication, memory, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills.
The project reflects CoE Karsaloka’s commitment to transforming design research into meaningful social innovation. Every illustration was carefully created using a soft papercraft-inspired visual style, making the game attractive and accessible for younger audiences while maintaining a strong Indonesian identity. The first prototype, titled Western Archipelago Edition, features provinces across Sumatra, Java, and Bali.
During the session, participants first received a brief introduction to Indonesia’s creative industries before being divided into small groups to play the game. What began as a simple card game quickly evolved into lively discussions about regional culture, traditional foods, architecture, performing arts, and local crafts. The children actively exchanged cards, asked questions, and enthusiastically discovered creative icons from different parts of Indonesia.
Beyond providing an enjoyable learning experience, the activity also demonstrated how game-based learning can become an effective medium for introducing cultural literacy and creative entrepreneurship concepts at an early age. The children were not only entertained but also encouraged to appreciate Indonesia’s cultural richness through direct interaction and collaborative play.
As part of the program’s sustainability commitment, the CoE Karsaloka team officially donated the Indonesia Creative Quartets (ICQ) prototype to Tunas Melati Orphanage, allowing caregivers and children to continue using the board game as an educational resource beyond the event itself.
The ICQ project represents only the first step of a broader initiative. Future editions are planned to cover all 38 Indonesian provinces, creating a comprehensive educational board game that showcases the nation’s creative industries from Sabang to Merauke. By combining design innovation, cultural heritage, and playful learning, CoE Karsaloka aims to inspire younger generations to better understand—and ultimately contribute to—Indonesia’s growing creative economy.
