MANILA, PH — Every year, thousands of young designers and creatives flock to Metro Manila as Graphika Manila brings in the best creatives locally and internationally to speak about their profession, their work, and the realm of graphic design. Expect this year’s line up to be even bigger and better.
One of the speakers this year is Wendell Dalit. He currently serves as an art director on “Vivo,” Sony Pictures Animation’s first-ever animated musical, featuring all new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, releasing theatrically on April 16, 2021. In his role, he helps oversee the film’s design, look development, and surfacing.
Dalit joined Sony Pictures Animation in 2014, and has since served as a visual development artist on several features including the Academy Award winning flick, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” as well as “Smurfs: The Lost Village”, and “The Emoji Movie.”
adobo magazine caught up with Wendell to tell us a few things about himself and his upcoming session in this year’s Graphika Manila.
Can you share how you started your creative journey?
I think I’ve always been a little artistic since I was young, but I never thought to pursue it as a career until my second year in college. I was fortunate that the college I attended had an incredible animation department and was hired right out of school as a visual development artist on Smurfs: The Lost Village.
You’re currently the art director for Vivo, the first animated musical under Sony. How is it like working on this project, and is there anything new you’re experimenting with?
Working on a musical has been so fulfilling for me, because music and art have been passions of mine for a long time. This is actually my first time art directing a project, so everything is new to me — but we are experimenting with different techniques to make our world unique in its own way.
You’ve worked on a couple of animations such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Smurfs: The Lost Village. What’s one of your most memorable projects and why?
Every project I’ve worked on has had its memorable experiences but I think I’ll always have a soft spot for Smurf’s simply because it was my first professional project. I’ve learned so many lessons on that production and I’ve carried them with me throughout my career. Many of the artists I worked with on that show I still consider mentors to me to this day.
How does it feel coming back to the Philippines for Graphika Manila?
I’m excited! I haven’t been able to visit the Philippines in a decade, so I’m thrilled to come and share my experience with young Filipino artists.
What lessons can we anticipate in your session for this coming Graphika Manila 2020?
I’ll be talking a little more in depth about my career, and some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’m also hoping to give a little insight on what it is like to be a visual development artist for those of you who are interested in that path.
Graphika Manila 2020 is happening this coming February 15 & 16 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Ticket claims/registration opens at 10:30AM. Gates open at 11:30AM. Event proper starts from 1:00PM to 7:00PM. For more information, visit www.graphikamanila.com
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of Graphika Manila 2020.
