LONDON, UK — British-Filipino graphic designer Melvin Galapon has been named the Grand Prix winner of the 2025 UNIQLO UT Grand Prix (UTGP), the global T-shirt design competition held in partnership with London’s Tate Modern. His winning design, “Future Now,” features a bold, video game – inspired graphic that reflects this year’s competition theme: “Create the Future — Be Inspired by Play.”
Selected from over 10,000 entries worldwide, Melvin’s work stood out for its retro-futuristic aesthetic, echoing the pixel art and sci-fi films of the 1980s and ’90s.
“Like the sci-fi films I used to watch and video games I used to play that transported my imagination to futuristic worlds, this piece tries to capture that playfulness while also trying to transport you to the future,” Melvin shared with adobo Magazine Editor-in-Chief Angel Guerrero during their meet-up at the National Gallery in London.
Crafted entirely in Illustrator using vector lines and a simple grid, “Future Now” captures Melvin’s signature blend of technology, geometry, and nostalgia.
The 2025 edition of UTGP marks a special collaboration between UNIQLO and Tate Modern as part of the museum’s 25th anniversary. “Together — UNIQLO, Tate Modern, and with you — we’re trying to build new aspirations, new goals toward creativity,” said UNIQLO and Fast Retailing President of Global Creative John C. Jay during the awards ceremony.
Among the five winners announced, Japanese designer Narimichi Takahashi was awarded the Tate Award for his floral design inspired by his daughter’s doodles and Van Gogh’s paintings. All five winning T-shirt designs are available for purchase at UNIQLO’s pop-up shop inside Tate Modern until September 16.
For Melvin, the Grand Prix win holds deeper personal meaning. “A few years ago, I took a step back from the art/graphics scene after a really shambolic project made me fall out of love with creating,” he shared. “Winning the Grand Prix and knowing the work is going to be seen by so many people around the world is pretty amazing.”
Along with global recognition, Melvin takes home the Grand Prix prize of $20,000 — a boost that he says will help finalize several paused creative projects.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Melvin has worked with brands such as Nike, Nokia, Wallpaper⁎, and Creative Review. His body of work spans portraits, type, installations, patterns, and video, with exhibitions in London, Tokyo, Singapore, LA, Bangkok, and Sweden. He is also the creative director of the clothing label A-Ok.
Asked whether this win has given him renewed creative confidence, Melvin answer is understated but telling: “I’ve always believed in letting the work speak for itself.”
With Future Now, that belief seems well-placed.
Explore the full collection at UNIQLO’s pop-up inside Tate Modern or online at uniqlo.com.
