I saw design!

MANILA, Philippines - There are only two things that you’re going to need to survive the one-day design extravaganza that is Graphika Manila 2011: Your ticket and this particular newspaper section. In anticipation of the international multimedia design symposium’s sixth year, Supreme took the opportunity to pick the brains of this year’s speakers: Kevin Andrew Smith of WETA Digital, Miko Friolo, PJ Richardson of Laundry!, Dan Matutina, Nico and Katwo Puertollano of 27+20 and Seph Mayol. Some of their answers turned out to be pretty unexpected, others quite thought-provoking, so read up and pass it on to your friends before heading over there. You don’t want to be the lame ass out of more than 2,000 attendees who asks something that they’ve already answered for us when they open the floor for questions, do you?

Graphika Manila 2011 will open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. only at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila. Limited conference passes might still be available on event day at P2,000 with student passes available at P1,800, so come early! For more information, visit graphikamanila.com/tickets.

Some reminders: Each Graphika Manila ticket includes admission to the full-day conference, a conference kit, which includes the Graphika Manila 2011 book and an E-certificate of attendance. Both Conference and Student passes are entitled to the same privileges. Food is not covered by the ticket price. Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis only. Students are required to present a valid ID upon entry.

Dan Matutina

My first job was... making ads for an advertising agency as an art director.

Creativity/design for me… can solve a lot of everyday problems.

The hardest lesson I had to learn in my job is… to present to clients.

The hardest part of my job is... having to work all the time. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.

And the best part is... doing the thing you love.

My advice to up and coming designers is... to not be afraid to fail.

I design therefore I... can make people smile.

* * *

Kevin Andrew Smith, WETA Digital

My first job was... as a systems administrator at Boss Film Studios

Creativity/design for me is... only part of my job as a supervisor. I also deal with clients, deadlines, artists and technical problems.

The hardest lesson I had to learn in my job is... criticism of your work is merely a request for change. You can’t take it personally

The hardest part of my job is... managing a large and diverse group of talented (and) creative people.

And the best part is... getting to see my work in the movies I’ve worked on.

My advice to up and coming designers... be yourself and never give up.

I design therefore I... design some more. It’s gone from a job to a career (and) I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

* * *

Seph Mayol

My first job was... as a print designer.

Creativity/design for me is... an expression and interpretation of things in a colorful way.

The hardest lesson I had to learn in my job is... there’s no shortcut (to) being a designer.

The hardest part of my job is... that 24/7 isn’t enough.

And the best part is... IT’S FUN!

My advice to up and coming designers is... to learn more as you grow.

I design therefore I... am a mutant!

* * *

Mike Friolo is based in Portland, Oregon and has worked as a senior designer in Nike, Inc. He is responsible for some of Nike’s best designs including the concept and design of the Manny Pacquiao gear, logo and crest. His presentation will be about his design processes, original sketches and evolution of the crest and The Pacman’s branding in great detail, from concept to final design and everything in-between.

He has worked with Adidas, Opus Creative Group, and Quango Inc., and working currently as a consultant to other brands like Armor, Puma and Adidas.

* * *

Nico and Katwo Puertollano (27+20)

My first job was...

Nico: In grade school washing dishes for priests in my school.

Katwo: I was a contributing layout artist for a start-up magazine in college.

Creativity/design for me is... about problem solving. Also, design is about clearly communicating ideas.

The hardest lesson I had to learn in my job is...

Nico: That you can’t please everyone.

Katwo: Saying ‘no’ to clients.

The hardest part of my job is...

Nico: Dealing with Globe and PLDT for communication services and Internet connections.

Katwo: I can multi-task, but at this point, I’d rather not.

And the best part is... working with our team and creating something we are proud of.

My advice to up and coming designers is...

Nico: Learn to listen and hear what people are trying to communicate.

Katwo: Watch a lot movies, listen to different music, appreciate different cultures, and respect divergent social values.

I design therefore I...

Nico: I can cook.

Katwo: I will make fun of the new Final Cut Pro even if I haven’t tried it yet.

* * *

PJ Richardson, Laundry!

My first job was... at Starbucks and I got fired.

Creativity/design for me is... making something new and not repeating myself and breaking out of my tendencies and comforts as a designer. Clients really help this tremendously as they all tend to want something slightly different.

The hardest lesson I had to learn in my job is... accepting failure and not winning a project for reasons other than my work not being a great idea (ie, politics, another designer/studio flat-out copying us).

The hardest part of my job is... balancing family, administrative work, paperwork, emotions and the business-related side of the studio, employee issues, budgets and still having time to make creative ideas come to life.

And the best part is... I have high-profile creative clients where people actually see our work, balanced with those that pay well and often, they overlap. Plus, I have an amazing business partner and a very dedicated team that make Laundry! what it is, well past anything I can ever do by myself. That is, by far, the best gift.

My advice to up and coming designers is... to go big, take risks, be humble and treat yourself like a student of design forever. Be aware of what is popular as sometimes that can contribute to the concept you are designing for. Learn to sell your idea as well as you design it; it’s everything. Also, dont knock school. More than anything, it teaches you work ethic and processes. Basically, you need to know the rules to know how to break them.

I design therefore I... can instruct my team with a lot more truth and validity where possible. I just love problem solving; it is why I design.