Petaling Jaya, 6 February 2026 — The Graphic Design students of Dasein Academy of Art have officially launched Quirktopia, a three-day Art Bazaar and graduation showcase held from 6 to 8 February 2026 at Awegallery, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya.
Open daily from 10am to 9pm, the event serves as both a celebratory milestone and a practical platform for students to introduce their work to the public and the creative industry.
Designed and executed entirely by the graduating cohort, Quirktopia moves beyond the format of a traditional academic exhibition.
Students are responsible for every aspect of the showcase, from the overall concept and visual identity to spatial design, booth presentation, and on-ground coordination.
The Art Bazaar format enables them to present a combination of final-year projects, self-initiated works, and design-led merchandise, offering visitors a comprehensive view of their creative thinking and technical capabilities.
The showcase is structured to reflect real-world creative practice, where designers are required to translate ideas into tangible outcomes.
Works on display span a broad range of graphic design disciplines, including branding, illustration, typography, publication design, and experimental visual applications.
Each booth functions as an extension of the student’s personal identity, reinforcing the importance of authorship and individuality within contemporary design.
Rtist is supporting Quirktopia as the official media partner and attended the opening ceremony earlier today in support of emerging creative talent.
The partnership reflects Rtist’s commitment to nurturing early-stage designers by supporting platforms that encourage direct industry exposure and dialogue.
Beyond media coverage, Rtist’s presence at the event focuses on engaging students from a job platform and career development perspective.
Throughout the showcase, Rtist is interacting with students to discuss portfolio presentation, the relevance of their current works to industry expectations, and how they can better position themselves for opportunities within the creative sector.
These exchanges provide valuable insight into how students can refine their portfolios and articulate their strengths when connecting with potential employers, collaborators, or clients.
A recurring theme at Quirktopia is the role of personal branding in strengthening a designer’s visibility and employability.
As the creative industry continues to place emphasis on clarity of identity alongside technical skill, students are encouraged to think critically about how they present themselves through their work, messaging, and visual language.
The Art Bazaar environment allows for immediate feedback, offering students a chance to observe how audiences respond to their designs and narratives in real time.
Importantly, Quirktopia is positioned as an exposure-driven platform rather than a commercial or institutional showcase.
The event exists purely to give students on-ground experience—allowing them to interact directly with the public, engage in professional conversations, and understand the dynamics of presenting creative work outside the classroom.
By situating the graduation showcase within a public gallery, Dasein Academy of Art reinforces experiential learning as a key component of preparing students for professional practice.
As the event continues through the weekend, Quirktopia stands as a reflection of the next generation of graphic designers stepping into the creative ecosystem.
For visitors, it offers insight into emerging talent and fresh perspectives. For the students, it represents a significant transition—from academic exploration to active participation within the creative industry.
Quirktopia, the Dasein Graphic Design Graduation Art Bazaar and Showcase, runs until Sunday, 8 February 2026, at Awegallery, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya. Admission is open to the public.
Hire Talents from Dasein Academy of Art, visit: Dasein Students & Alumni Profiles On Rtist
