MANILA — Close to 70 designers, illustrators and design enthusiasts from agencies and corporations came to learn from the design masters at the second adobo Design Awards Design series held at The Mind Museum Special Exhibition Hall at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
The seminar featured a series of talks by the leading design professionals in the country. The day started with a manual on how to create a design that doesn’t give a f*** by RAA Design owner and prolific sketcher Robert Alejandro.
“Letting go is not a bad idea. Sometimes you get more results by letting go,” said Robert.
Designer, Entrepreneur and Restaurateur AJ Dimarucot gave the audience a guide on how to survive freelancing by sharing the things he learned himself, “I got tired of the 4-hr commute, I got tired of clearing my ideas with people, I got tired of working with same clients over and over. I just got tired of being tired. So I’ve decided, I’ll do freelance.”
Some of the points include: Start up an emergency fund, Get used to rejection, Avoid Freeloaders, Passion projects lead to real projects, You don’t need a website, Join design contests, Find your niche, Build an audience, Get clients on monthly retainer.
The afternoon session was opened by internationally acclaimed designer and illustrator Dan Matutina with a talk about branding and identity.
“For trends, it’s important to look at them and decide if you want to follow or create your own.” said Dan.
It was followed by a talk by Nico Puertollano of Native to Noise and Flux Design Labs on how to effectively use infographics as visual language.
“Graphic design: There is a science to it. There is a structure to it,” said Nico. “It’s about information, and how images can communicate an idea.”
Rina Malonzo and Trina dela Rama, co-founders of PortfolioMNL wrapped the day up with a talk about dealing with clients, “Don’t complain about the client, complain to them.”
Rina and Trina also shared some tips on how to get repeat clients:
– Assume a long term relationship
– Be a business partner
– Adjust to their working style
– Solve problems together
Watch some of the highlights during the aDA Design Series:
