MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Even after jokingly questioning the organizers about following Takashi Murakami in the speaker lineup, Zipeng Zhu proved he was the grand finale Graphika Manila 2025 needed. The moment he stepped onto the stage, he made one thing clear — he was here to bring the razzle dazzle.
As a child, Zipeng dreamed of becoming a manga artist, fully embracing his emo phase. But life had other plans. Instead, he found himself captivated by Sailor Moon, a love that intertwined with his journey of embracing his queerness. His artistic path led him to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he discovered that graphic design wasn’t just an interest — it could be a career.
Like many young designers, Zipeng initially followed the trend of working primarily with black, white, and red colors — widely considered the gold standard at the time. But looking back? He now “hated” it.
For Zipeng, embracing his identity wasn’t just a personal milestone — it shaped his creative resilience. He likens himself to a rainbow, and his bold, unapologetic personality spills into every inch of his work. His exuberance — true to the meaning of his name in Chinese — caught the attention of design powerhouse Jessica Walsh, who personally invited him to work at Sagmeister & Walsh, propelling his career forward.
During his time there, Zipeng was hailed one of The One Club for Creativity’s Young Guns 13 in 2015, for his provocative project “Superheroes’ Penises.” But soon after, he hit a roadblock. One of the darkest moments of his life, he recalled, saying, “The color got sucked out of me.”
But Zipeng is nothing if not relentless. Despite loving his job at Sagmeister & Walsh, he made a bold move — he quit and launched his own creative space, Dazzle Studio.
With creative freedom on his side, Zipeng cast his net wide, collaborating with brands like Snapchat, Skittles, HP, Harry’s, Adidas, Adobe, and more. When then-Florida governor Ron DeSantis proposed the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law in 2023, Zipeng didn’t stay silent. He designed shirts emblazoned with “Say Gay All Day,” a powerful statement that caught the eye of Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. Their collaboration led to Zipeng designing the packaging for JVN’s haircare brand.
2020 was another turning point. Fresh off an abusive relationship and grappling with the rejection of his green card application, he sought refuge with a former teacher upstate — then, the pandemic hit.
Being Chinese in New York at the time was especially harrowing. With rising anti-Asian sentiment and violence, Zipeng knew he had to act. His “Stop Asian Hate” artwork soon covered New York City, from billboards to Times Square. “It was important,” he said, standing up for his community during an already devastating moment in history.
Despite the hardships, Zipeng’s vibrant, infectious energy remains unshaken. His optimism is relentless. And like any great storm, a rainbow always follows. His journey is a testament to resilience, proving that even in life’s darkest moments, the final act still calls for jazz hands, sequins, and a show-stopping razzle dazzle finish.
Adobo Magazine is the official media partner of Graphika Manila 2025.
