About me
Berlin-based Visual Designer with over ten years of experience in the startup scene.
Scroll further down if you wish to skip my story…
My name is Octafiandri Hodir, but you can call me Findri or Fin. Originally from Indonesia, I've been living in Berlin since 2014. I'm a Visual Designer specializing in integrated brand and marketing communications. I have gained valuable experience, especially as a senior visual designer at Tourlane, a Berlin-based booking platform for tailor-made trips. I left the company in April 2023 to focus on my health and consider my next career move.
I started my side business "The Unicorn Work Creative Design and Shop" in August 2021. This involved selling products on Amazon and providing design services to various clients, including small businesses, startups, and non-profit organizations. "The Unicorn Work" is a registered trademark in Germany, covering a range of goods and design services. After recovering from burnout, I finally took a big step to turn my side business into full-time self-employment under the new name Kraftfinity Berlin On-demand design service & creative shop.
Inner battle between strategic drive and creativity
My journey in the design field has been unique. I often felt like I was trying to fit a cat into a box within my design profession. Contrary to common belief, design isn't just about creativity; it's highly strategic and essential to the business world.
Recognizing that my profession alone wouldn't fulfill my creative drive, I knew I had to do my own thing: create products and art aligned with my tastes. However, this path brought financial challenges, and I learned that my decision-making was still heavily influenced by my designer ego rather than a business owner's mindset. This is why I became super practical in my profession and choose to not measure the artistic side of things too much but the impact.
Like this website. I know some of you might wonder why the F there is cat in pink astronaut suit everywhere? well…this is what art is — a form of self-expression and interpretation. You either enjoy it or you don’t, it’s up to you. But when it comes to business this approach is not the right choice. So please understand that I don’t involve what I like in my design work. Clearly what I like is pink stuff, digital cats, and chicken wings.
While art is crucial in fashion and lifestyle sectors, successful design hinges on problem-solving. My role is to help clients solve problems and add value to their businesses, which is why it's called the "design thinking method" not the art thinking method.
Education background & professional experiences
Education-wise, I didn’t go to fancy universities. However, the foundation of entrepreneurship and ethics in my profession was developed through my formal education.
I received my Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Visual Communication Design with a primary focus on Integrated Brand Strategy from Universitas Paramadina in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2012. I graduated with Cum Laude honor. Subsequently, in 2017, I completed a Master's program in Creative Communication and Brand Management (M.A.) at Pforzheim University.
10.2023 – present: Self-employed, run a business “Kraftfinity Berlin”
04.2023 – 09.2023: On career break
08.2021 – 04.2023: Tourlane | Sr. Visual Designer
08.2021 – 10.2023: Run a side business “The Unicorn Work”
02.2019 – 07.2021: Tourlane | Visual Designer
07.2018 – 01.2019: Tourlane | Marketing Designer
03.2017 – 07.2018: Helpling | Graphic Designer
10.2015 – 02.2017: Gradschool @ Hochschule Pforzheim
04.2015 – 08.2015: Helpling | Graphic Designer
09.2014 – 02.2015: Helpling | Intern Graphic Designer
05.2010 – 12.2015: Freelance Designer
02.2014 – 07.2014: Goethe-Institut Indonesien | Blog writer
01.2014: Relocated to Berlin
01.2013 – 12.2013: Goethe-Institut Indonesien | Public Relations
09.2012 – 12.2012: Goethe-Institut Indonesien | Intern Public Relations
03.2012 – 06.2012: Zalora Indonesia | Digital Imaging Artist
I’m a nerd. I’m the doer, the maker, the crafter, and the creator. I have accepted and love myself for who I am.
…one more thing; I don’t know how to speak corporate BS. So please pardon my straightforwardness…