
The country’s best creative conference is on its 14th year and it can only mean a bigger and more exciting Graphika Manila to come.
Graphika Manila is a yearly gathering of creative minds in the Philippines and it’s a weekend of learning experience from its distinguished featured speakers. Expect that they will be sharing a thing or two about their works and passion for their artistry. Below are the Graphika Manila 2019 guest speakers.
Aaron Draplin from Draplin Design Co.
Aaron is a graphic designer, author and founder of Draplin Design Co. (DDC). It has rolled up its sleeves on a number of projects related to print, identity, web development, and illustration. Priding itself on craftsmanship and quality, the DDC has made stuff for Nike, Esquire, Ford Motor Company and the Obama Administration. His book, Pretty Much Everything, is a mid-career survey of his work including case studies and advice which was released in May 2016.
Anthony Francisco from Marvel Studios
Anthony Francisco is a Fil-AM illustrator and concept artist currently working at Marvel Studios as Senior Visual Development Artist. His work includes feature films such as Black Panther, Thor: Ragnarok, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Chronicles of Riddick just to name a few. He designed Loki Ragnarok, the Dora Milaje and the Visual Father of Baby Groot.
Lauren Hom from Hom Sweet Hom
Hom Sweet Hom is the studio of Lauren Hom, a designer and letterer based in Detroit (formerly New York & Los Angeles). Lauren is known for her bright color palettes and playful letter forms. She has created work for clients like Starbucks, Google, AT&T, YouTube and TIME Magazine. Her work has been recognized by Communication Arts, the Type Directors Club, and the Webby Awards. She is also the author of the popular blog and book Daily Dishonesty.
Buff Monster
Buff Monster has worked with leading curators to paint murals all over the world and was included in Banksy’s Oscar-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. His meticulously executed paintings have been shown in galleries around the world and has worked with some of the most recognizable brands, such as Disney, Converse, Hello Kitty, Samsung, Nike and Coca-Cola.
Now under the brand name Stay Melty, he continues to release a variety of limited-edition collectibles, including vinyl and resin toys, prints, shirts, stickers and trading cards.
Gordon Reid from Middle Boop
Middle Boop is an award-winning creative agency set up by Gordon Reid. He works across art direction, branding, graphic design and illustration. With a portfolio of work for a wide range of big-name clients, well known advertising agencies, smaller businesses, startup businesses and all things in between, Middle Boop helps to grow and build brands through creative ideas, strong art direction and superb design. Previous projects have ranged from art direction for Visa’s 2016 Rio Olympic Games campaign, to record sleeve designs for Mogwai to cover illustrations for Computer Arts magazine.
Ivan Dixon
Ivan is a Melbourne-based independent animator, illustrator and designer, known for traditional and pixel art style. He has produced content for a variety of clients including music videos for Childish Gambino and Gotye, a pilot for Cartoon Network, idents for Adult Swim, 2D segments for Fallout 4 and Wolfenstein 2 and recently an adult series for WB/ABC called Ginger Snaps. He is currently a director at the Rubber House Studio.
James Sweigert from Laundry
Laundry is a design-driven animation and production company that creates creative and original work across all mediums which started a decade ago by partners, PJ Richardson and Tony Liu. Laundry has directed projects for Chevy, Google, Skechers, Nike, Sony, Honda, ESPN, John Legend and The Strokes to name a few.
Laundry will be represented by their acting Managing Director, James Sweigert, an award winning creative executive in advertising and entertainment marketing over the past twenty years. James loves spending time with his dog, Duke Kahanamoku. He surfs in LA and around the world.
Justin Harder from Claus Studios
Claus is a design-driven concept and production studio, bringing vision to reality through collaboration. Managed by Art and Creative Director, Justin Harder, Claus strives to create the uniquest of stories that resonate with and inspire audiences of all ages. The studio takes on projects at any stage, from concept and style frame creation to full production and delivery, working hand-in-hand with clients.
Justin has illustrated and designed numerous title sequences for film and television including Deadpool, Thor: The Dark World, My Little Pony: The Movie and Saturday Night Live’s ‘Weekend Update.’ Justin also is an officially licensed Marvel ‘Artist
Michael Parker from And a Half Studio
And A Half is a branding and design studio in Manila. Their work solves problems and creates new forms of value for people, companies, and communities. They design new brands and re-imagine old ones, focusing on the aspect of co-creation with innovators and dreamers. The greatest thing about And A Half is actually the people. Their team works in an environment of trust and responsibility. They set up each person to lead with their own work style and strength, making them personally engaged in each project.
Mike is one of the leaders in And A Half.
Rian Gonzales
Rian is a freelance illustrator known for her distinctive, vibrant and candy-themed art. Most of her works depict women in trendy fashion, delectable sweets and neon colors. She is a comic cover artist and illustrator for Marvel, Archie, IDW and Valiant. She is a lover of pixie dust, puns and unicorns.
Shane Griffin
Shane Griffin is an Irish born director and artist. His work spans a broad range of disciplines, from animation and live action, to sculpture and CGI. Shane has created work for some of the world’s leading brands and agencies. Named an ADC Young Gun in 2012 and Print Magazine’s New Visual Artist ’15 Under 30′ in 2015. He’s directed films for Apple, Google, Microsoft, Ford, and Adidas.
Shane is currently global creative director at Los York Studio and director at Los York Films.
Yeo Kaa
Yeo Kaa is a Filipino painter, illustrator and photographer. She studied Advertising at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila, and has won the University of Santo Tomas On-the-Spot Painting Competition and a Special Prize in the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence in 2010. Despite her youth, she has produced an impressive body of work across several disciplines and can boast many awards and several major exhibitions among her achievements. She has mounted a handful of solo shows in Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Germany.
Join your co-creatives and be inspired by the works and stories of this year’s Graphika Manila’s guest speakers on February 2-3, 2019. The two-day event will be held at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasig. For tickets, visit https://www.graphikamanila.com/tickets.html .