From Scotland to Indonesia: Textile Design student Connie's batik journey

In February 2025, University of Dundee student, Connie, and her fellow University of Dundee Textile Design students travelled to Yogyakarta, Indonesia for a week-long cultural exchange programme in traditional batik craftsmanship. The trip was part of a British Council funded collaboration between the University of Dundee and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).

"This project has been one of my favourites so far. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I enjoyed every moment of it," Connie shared. "Being immersed in the culture in Yogyakarta made my research far richer and allowed me to connect with this project on a much deeper, more passionate level."

The cultural visit began at the Batik Museum, where students discovered the philosophy behind the craft. One student explained that Batik had a “philosophy to the fabric, and that every pattern and colour carries symbolism- dark chocolate represents the earth and humility, white stands for purity, and black signifies elegance."

The students learned that authentic batik must be made using traditional wax and that creating a single piece can take up to two and a half months. The programme included lectures from UGM faculty, including Dr. Edia Rahayuningsih, who provided insight into the technological innovation which natural dyes were undergoing.

At Batimo, students created their own batik fabrics "using traditional hand-drawing techniques" and stamped designs. The GamaIndigo workshop taught natural dyeing methods, while visits to Borobudur Temple and Lemospires eco-printing studio gave insight into Indonesian craft traditions.

Connie noted “My designs are inspired by the Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta Indonesia. Its intricately hand-carved volcanic stone walls were the main inspiration for my designs. I wanted to celebrate the traditional technique of Batik as well as the natural dying process that our trip was centred around. To do this I focused on a predominantly indigo colour palette and used resist techniques with masking fluid and oil pastel to replicate the technique of batik."

"Being able to learn directly from locals who are extremely skilled and have preserved their culture’s traditional craft despite modern technologies was truly inspiring.”

Connie's work was recognised in a competition judged by the Indonesian professionals the students met during their visit -a testament to how deeply she had engaged with the cultural experience.

"This experience has opened my eyes as a textile designer to using more sustainable techniques such as natural dying," Connie reflected. "It has also highlighted to me the beauty and value that true craftsmanship holds in preserving cultural heritage. I am confident that this will continue to influence my future practice."

The University of Dundee’s collaboration with UGM strengthens ties between Scotland and Indonesia through research, education, and cultural exchange. This project exemplifies how the partnership creates learning experiences that bridge cultures while addressing sustainability in textile design, equipping students like Connie with insights that will shape their future practice.