UX in Jakarta & Bandung

Hey everyone, I know I’ve been away for a few weeks. Work has been pretty full-on lately but hey, I’m back.

At the end of August, I took a short trip to Jakarta and Bandung - part work, part play. I didn’t plan to look at design but somehow, design kept revealing itself everywhere I went 🫣 

From the moment I landed, I could sense how UX awareness there extends far beyond digital interfaces it’s part of their public culture.

That first morning, Jakarta held a marathon at their National Monument (Monas) square. What caught my attention wasn’t the race — it was how well the city supported it. I saw a public ablution area and a musollah tent set up just beside the event route. It was the first time I’d seen a space so seamlessly blend fitness, faith and community. It says a lot about how Islamic culture is respectfully woven into their public design.

Everywhere I went, there were small but thoughtful touches:

• ♻️ Trash bins that encourage people to throw waste wisely.

• 🌱 Plants used as natural boundaries to signal “don’t walk here” - soft reminders instead of harsh signs.

• At the AI Museum (Museum Nasional Indonesia), they had an exhibit where you could test your suku kaum (ethnic roots) through an AI system. It was playful, interactive, and made learning about identity feel personal.

• There was also an exhibit on women’s rights and leadership - complete with a live public poll where visitors could cast their opinions. It felt like UX for civic awareness.

Even the Whoosh train from Jakarta to Bandung had its own touch of transparency where displaying real-time speed data on the screen. A small detail but it gives a sense of presence and connection to the journey.

In Bandung, I stopped by NuArt Sculpture Park, an open-air art space by sculptor Nyoman Nuarta - a mix of nature, architecture and monumental metalwork. It’s not just an art gallery, it’s an experience that invites you to walk, pause and reflect. Every corner feels designed to slow you down, to remind you that art can live in the same rhythm as nature.

And food-wise… yes, I tried their nasi padang but again my highlight here is their instant noodle restaurant! What impressed me wasn’t just the taste but the UX behind the menu. Each type of noodle was grouped clearly “Menu Spesial“ “Paket Kenyang“ etc. so you could decide fast. Even comfort food was designed to be intuitive.

And since you know I love coffee ☕ of course, I explored their cafe scene.
Jakarta’s coffee culture is more than caffeine, it’s creative expression. Every cafe I went to had its own personality, from interior art installations to how they present their brews. Some spaces felt like mini galleries with local artists’ works displayed alongside the bar, while others used lighting, aroma, and sound to create a calm sensory rhythm.

It’s interesting how the cafe UX there isn’t just about taste, but experience. You don’t just sit and sip, you interact. Some cafés even have curated merchandise or creative workshops, turning your visit into a cultural moment. It reminded me that when design is thoughtful, even a simple coffee break can feel like art.

The trip ended with the Forestra Orchestra, an open-air concert in the forest. They projected the lyrics onto the night sky — I remember looking up, thinking how storytelling, sound and light can merge into one sensory language.

That’s what UX in Indonesia felt like to me - not just usability, but empathy made visible.

Reflection

Travel always reminds me that UX isn’t limited to screens. It’s a language of care — how environments speak to us, guide us, and include us.

In Jakarta and Bandung, even small public details carried intention. AI wasn’t just about technology; it was about identity and participation. Design wasn’t only aesthetic; it was a social bridge.

As we move deeper into the age of intelligent systems, I think this kind of human-first design becomes even more important because the future of UX isn’t just smarter interfaces. It’s empathetic experiences that make people feel seen, connected and understood.

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