Rough Groove

Graphika Manila

It was very fortunate that I was able to participate in the Graphika Manila 2006 Multimedia Design Conference held in SM Mall of Asia yesterday. Not that I’m a graphic designer but I’m looking at this field as a new career in the coming months and with the top caliber speakers, I’m convinced. I actually don’t know any of the speakers but with their portfolios being shown and with their talks, these are the top in the field.

I was very much impressed with Joshua Davis’ whose dynamic absraction and mutation is just indescribable and I’m very much impressed. I should also say that this guy is FUN! (some links by bloggers who were also struck with this man: REBELPIXEL PRODUCTIONS and A Bugged Life).
Or the interesting collaborations of Inksurge with different international arts and graphic design entities as well as top artists in the country. Their body of work is awesome.

Team Manila is another respected graphic design studio whose work incorporates iconic Philippine symbols and whose reach is extensive. Just this morning, while reading the Philippine Daily Inquirer, I saw one of their designs in an editorial article on fashion.

And who wouldn’t be cracking with laughter with Avid Liongoren? This energetic graphic designer/video and commercial director is so much fun. With many awards earned for his graphics extensive commercial work, he is breaking new ground (guerilla?) that is shaking up the foundations of commercial/postprod industries with his budget yet great projects (and some say, cheapening the industry –> but hey, that is the beauty of competition).

Nico Puertollano’s broadcast design is something to look out for and will be interesting to note if it will be accepted by the big stations here.

Black Flood’s black and white illustration/design book will be launched soon.

MK12 was one of the most aniticipated speakers but unfortunately, they chickened out because of typhoon Milenyo and cancelled their trip. They instead did a videoconference but the sound was just choppy and poor. How unfortunate. But their work is really very impressive.