Adobo Design Awards 2013 now open for entries

MANILA, Philippines - On its fourth year on bringing the most creative geniuses in the world of design, the Adobo Design Awards is again bringing a new light to the world of design with “Design for a Purpose” or “Design for Good” as its theme.

 â€œDesign is always for a purpose. We aim to emphasize the culture of the Filipinos and build up the whole imagery and bring it forward,” says Angel Guerrero, president and editor in chief of Adobo magazine.

Since being introduced in 2007, the Adobo Design Awards — organized by Adobo magazine, the country’s premier advertising and brand communications publication — has sought to champion the Philippines’ best in design and to recognize the talents behind the work.

The Professional Category is open to creative professionals, Philippine or foreign-based companies and individuals. Entries in this category vie for individual category awards for each format, with as many gold, silver and bronze winners as there are deserving. Best in Show winners are then selected from all gold winners, regardless of format but based on their stated purpose: “Design for a Purpose” or “Design for Good.”

“Design for a Purpose” awards work that promotes an individual, product, company, brand or event, while “Design for Good’ supports campaigns for a worthy cause, advocacy, CSR or public service.

Entries to this category may be in the forms of: press and poster, corporate brand identity, typography, publishing (books and magazines), digital/interactive, production design, environmental/spatial design, packaging, product design, broadcast animation/music video, outdoor/ambient, t-shirt design, or illustration/applied graphics.

Open to professionals, freelancers and students, the Open/Theme category calls for creative pitches to promote the imagery of “Manila’s Pop Culture.” Guerrero says they seek designs that will depict Manila as a capital of the Philippines and its pop culture. “I hope we can pass that message because Manila’s pop culture is so rich,” says Janelle Barretto-Squires, vice president and COO of Adobo magazine.

Entries may be submitted in either or video formats (up to seven-minutes long).

“We wanted to open up the field to students of a wider design discipline, including students of film and production, taking into account the Philippines’ increasing distinction in these fields,” says Guerrero.

Entries will be judged by a panel composed of respected industry experts in advertising and design. Thomas Yang, creative director at DDB Singapore, will preside over the judging panel, which includes Eneri Abillar of Vapor Studios, Jowee Alviar and Mon Punzalan of Team Manila, Dan Matutina of Twisted Fork, Rex Advincula and Jois Tai of Inksurge, Aram Beheshti of Graphika Manila, Brian Tenorio of Design for Development, freelance graphic designer AJ Dimarucot, Dean Jose Maria Yupangco of the College of Saint Benilde - SDA, Andrew Petch of Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, Merlee Jayme of DM9 JaymeSyfu, Pedring Lopez of Welovepost, and Gary Amante of BBDO Guerrero.

All entries should have been commercially released between Feb. 1 of last year and March 31of this year. Deadline for submission of entries is on April 3. Winners will be announced and awarded on April 26 at The Ayala Museum.

Event partners include MyPhone, Havaianas, Manila Beer, Tanduay Ice, Robert Mondavi, Pinwheel, Executive Decisions and 25th Media Production. Sponsoring the venues are Ayala Museum and Aubergine Restaurant.  Isla Lipana PWC & Co is the official tabulator for the adobo Design Awards 2013. Media partners are Business Mirror, Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star.

For entry kits and more information, visit www.adobodesignawards.com, or call Ched Dayot at 0906-3599167 or e-mail designawards@adobomagazine.com.