Proses Pembuatan Tumtum Maskot Indonesia Di World Expo 2025 Osaka

Daud Nugraha, a designer from the mascot of Tumtum, who was chosen to represent Indonesia on the 2025 Osaka World Expo stage. (Photo: Doc. Bappenas)

JAKARTA - Daud Nugraha's name is now in the spotlight after his work, the mascot of Tumtum, was chosen as Indonesia's official symbol for Osaka's World Expo 2025. This inspiring creative journey shows how an Indonesian artist is able to combine local culture with future vision, producing a mascot that depicts the courage and resilience of the Indonesian nation.

World Expo 2025 Osaka, with the big theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, provides space for participating countries to present their innovations and culture to the world. In the midst of this spotlight, Tumtum is here to bring a strong message about Indonesia's identity, ranging from rich traditions to modern innovations that are carried in every detail of its design.

Tumtum's creation process did not occur overnight. Daud Nugraha, an artist and graphic designer from Bandung, who is also the creator of the first wayang animation in Indonesia: Timun Village and founder of Aniwayang Studio. Daud spent a lot of time exploring the philosophy and characteristics of Indonesian culture that he wanted to represent through this mascot. The main inspiration comes from the batik Truntum motif from Surakarta.

The Truntum batik motif was created by Kanjeng Ratu Kencana, the empress of Pakubuwono III, and is over 275 years old. This motif symbolizes the loyalty, harmony and love that continues to grow. This philosophy is relevant to the context of a sustainable future, which is also in accordance with Indonesia's big theme at the World Expo 2025 Thriving in Harmony: Nature, Culture, and Future, said Daud.

According to Daud, the form of interest in Truntum's motives represents nature (Nature) and has a function as part of Indonesian culture. The philosophy contained in harmony and love that always develops also represents the future (Future).

Daud also combined other Nusantara motif elements, such as Toraja Weaving, Ukiran Asmat, and Songket Minang, to add to the depth of the Tumtum design.

"I want Tumtum not only to be visually attractive, but also to have a deep meaning. Like Truntum's motive, which describes many flower quants scattered like stars in the sky, I hope that Tumtum can be an inspiration that Indonesia is ready to blossom and shine to inspire the world," said Daud.

The form of quantum from Truntum's motives becomes the basis, while the colors used such as green color symbolize the peaceful nature; red symbolizes passion culture; and blue symbolizes optimistic and sustainable future. These three colors strengthen the symbolism of the tumtum mascot, so it is hoped that it can be easily recognized by various levels of society, both in Indonesia and internationally.

On the other hand, the biggest challenge for Daud is to create a mascot that is able to represent the diversity of Indonesian culture. As a country with hundreds of ethnicities and regions, this mascot must have elements that represent the richness of the culture but remain easy to remember and recognize. Daud chose to collaborate with local talents, such as 3D scrubtor Jeremy Yap, who helped him develop a three-dimensional model from Tumtum to become a form of mascot costume and could be used at various events.

Born from the mascot design competition held by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Tumtum was elected because it was considered capable of visualizing the spirit of a brave, creative, and innovative Indonesian spirit. Not only that, the entire design of Tumtum represents the country at the upcoming Osaka World Expo 2025 event.

Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Vivi Yulawati said, Tumtum is a strong symbol of what we want to show the world.

"Through Tuttum, Daud has succeeded in describing Indonesia as a country rooted in culture, but ready to move forward to the future with optimism and courage. This also reinforces the nation's commitment to a sustainable future," he explained.

With Tumtum as Indonesia's official mascot, Daud Nugraha hopes that his work will not only be a visual representation, but also bring a positive message to the global community. World Expo 2025 Osaka, which will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, is expected to be an event for Indonesia to promote its cultural wealth and creative economy potential to the international community.