MANILA – AJ Dimarucot is something of an expert when it comes to freelancing. After everything he experienced in the industry, may it be a success or a downfall, for him “Freelancing is feast or famine,” he said, as he talked about his life and looked back at how he started as a graphic designer and illustrator.
At the recent Graphika Manila 2015, Dimarucot introduced his studio as a five-man team: himself, his wife, a son and two daughters. He then stated that his wife is the head of the team.
Dimarucot shared that family has always been his inspiration, even at a young age, when, inspired by his mother, he started drawing and writing on cardboard.
From designing holiday cards, he took up industrial engineering as his college degree. Photoshop was his best friend during his college years. He explained: “Kids have it easy nowadays,” saying that it was tough for a beginner during his time.
He studied from tutorial websites and learned each process one step at a time. After training himself to be familiar and skilled in graphic designing, he then started his own blog and even put up a satirical site LabskosiErap.com. People actually believed the fake merchandise he designed, including mugs, shirts and caps, which was how he got his first job in design.
Another opportunity that came to him was the offer to work in one of the biggest advertising agencies in the Philippines, Ogilvy & Mather. Pioneering the Interactive Design Department, he worked with the website of Nokia, Nike, Ponds and other corporate companies. Years went by, and then he said to himself “Take away all the text and layout. I want to do something totally different.”
Dimarucot started off his freelance career by designing shirts which got the attention of some foreign clients. He soon worked with the bands he never heard of. In 2008, he did a Kevin Garnett graphic that was supposedly meant for Adidas but after a year, a Jamaican brand offered him $300 and he accepted right away. He received e-mails after a month from Adidas and Nike saying they like the design. Another high point in his career was when Michael Jackson approved his design.
“It was surreal and I was proud he was able to see something I did for him,” he shared.
Other famous athletes started to collaborate with Dimarucot. Manny Pacquiao came into the picture during the heat of Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Dimarucot got a chance to do a design for a boxing ring with elements of Pacquiao’s face and history. He continued to create graphic illustrations for shirts and other sports equipment later on.
The designing of Michael Jordan’s famous “6 Championship” sign was such a big thing for Dimarucot’s career, as he explained “It sold hundred thousand pieces all over the world. It is something I’m proud about.”
As Dimarucot put it, “my career so far has been designing for imaginary clients that transform into real clients.” Because he was really fond of it, he got another shot for Nike with his work for Jeremy Lin. He then told the audiencethat to achieve something, they must start doing what they are aiming for.
A new phase of Dimarucot’s life started as he, together with his five-man team started a clothing line for kids, GooGoo&Gaga. He worked hand-in-hand with his wife as their brand traveled to Japan, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Belgium. With all his experiences locally and internationally, he proved “Design really travels and it can resonate with [different] people.”
It goes back to one thing he loves at the end of every day, and that is his family. Doing everything for them, Dimarucot treats them as his bosses. Leaving the audience inspired, he ended his talk with a line “Design your life and do whatever you want to do.”
Words: John Vince Montoya
