For industrial designer Joshua “Josh” Li, creativity has always been at the center of what he does.
This eventually led him to establish Moodi Design PH, a design studio that explores the intersection of art, technology, and everyday functionality. What began as an experiment with 3D printing soon grew into a platform where Josh could transform digital ideas into tangible objects.
Through Moodi Design PH, Josh creates thoughtfully designed lifestyle pieces — each one produced using modern fabrication methods that allow for flexibility, customization, and small-batch production. Some examples; desk organizers, chess sets, and plant pots.
By blending industrial design principles with emerging technology, the brand reflects a new generation of Filipino designers that is redefining how everyday objects are imagined and made.
Designing with pride
Long before Josh knew exactly what he wanted to become, the designs of Philippe Starck, Marc Newson, and Kenneth Cobonpue were already shaping his imagination — guiding the curiosity that would later grow into passion and creativity.
But his most memorable spark was a visit to a Chinoy industrial designer, Kenneth Cobonpue, in Cebu who gave Josh the boost he needed to start paving the way to his present.
Josh’s designs tell the story of the Chinoy community.
“I design from a place of pride. I’m a proud Filipino and a proud Chinoy,” Josh tells adobo Magazine.
“And so naturally both of these identities get engraved into all my designs, all my work. And I draw from culture. I draw inspiration from cultural objects to the stories I grew up with.”
Most popular among Moodi’s products are 3D-printed chess sets and desk organizers that bring a sense of playfulness into otherwise serious settings.
“It’s as simple as it is, it’s like a double-edged sword. I feel like a lot of creative professionals are resonating toward it as it introduces a sort of playfulness in an environment that is so strict and serious.” he says.
“And so for me, that to them is a reminder to always remember to have fun. Everything is not so serious.”
Keeping business sustainable with the right partners
Despite bouts of uncertainty, Josh proceeded with his design business after earning a degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in the USA.
Josh and Moodi went through challenging periods, but it was within these experiences that resilience took shape.
“We knew that we needed to be bold, we needed to be brave, we needed to take risks, and, of course, to have the grit when they spill off, and most importantly, to be honest with ourselves and to the people that we work with,” Josh says.
Behind the scenes, a lot was going on. Startups like Moodi are built from the ground up. Laying the foundations, establishing a reputation, and finding the right partners to streamline operations are integral to keeping them sustainable.
Finding the right partners in production, logistics, and payment — to name a few — is crucial.
The dawn and refinement of digital payments
Today’s business landscape demands easily available digital payment options. Moodi was ahead in the game. In fact, Josh was already a GCash user before GCash for Business became an option.
“I first used GCash as one of my main payment methods,” Josh says.
When the business flourished, however, using his personal GCash account became a struggle. It was, after all, not designed for commercial transactions. Josh recalls the challenges of separating personal and business funds and the need to open a new phone line to register a separate, secondary GCash account.
Josh eventually learned about GCash for Business Portal and started using the platform as part of Moodi’s operations.
“I was immediately impressed by how smooth and efficient the whole experience was,” he said.
Its simple, easy-to-use payments tracker and management system helped streamline Moodi’s everyday transactions.
With no wallet limit, Moodi could transact freely without the constraints of traditional bank account caps or personal GCash wallet limits.
On top of that, zero transaction fees for supplier cashless payments translated into meaningful cost savings.
Taken together, these features help Josh manage both his online and personal transactions through a single, streamlined dashboard – the GCash for Business Portal.
The new features offer a refreshing change from the tools he previously used. The platform naturally aligns with the vision of Moodi. It allows the brand to embrace new technologies and seamlessly integrate them into everyday processes. It provides Moodi with a secure and reliable ecosystem that can help in further growing the business.
“Our transactions, managing our cash flow, are a whole lot more efficient and smoother. And that’s pretty much what made us fall in love with the whole idea of this ecosystem,” he said.
Payments made quick and easy
GCash PocketPay is an easy-to-use payment solution that allows businesses to accept QR and card payments using NFC-enabled Android phones.
“It basically turned an everyday item, hardware, that we already have in our phones, into an actual payment terminal, which was so convenient,” Josh says of GCash PocketPay.
GCash SoundPay, an easy to carry device that allows merchants to get instant voice confirmation for every successful payment transactions, is Josh’s personal favorite.
Beyond the distinctive real-time voice notification of GCash SoundPay is its ability to confirm a successful transaction without the usual back and forths when verifying payments like taking photos as proof or waiting for the notifications on a phone with latency makes it the very definition of efficiency for the industrial design graduate.
Josh appreciates what GCash SoundPay offers with every payment confirmation: assurance for him and the customer.
Sharing stories of successful businesses
Over the years, GCash for Business has transformed the lives of many micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by offering access to efficient and reliable digital finance solutions. It has taken part in the stories of enterprises big and small, including creativity-driven startups like Moodi.
GCash for Business has helped enable Moodi to maximize efficiency and foster growth while allowing it to squeeze in more time for the soul of the business — creativity.
As Moodi marches toward a promising future, Josh remains faithful to his commitment to weaving Chinoy culture into his designs. He looks forward to where the company will be in the next few years, while continuing to embrace advancements in 3D production and fast and efficient fintech ecosystems.
“That’s something worth exploring and worth using these new technologies to explore with,” he says.
Josh is but one of many business owners who have grown with GCash for Business as their payment partner. If you’re running a business, convenience isn’t a bonus — it’s expected. And that’s exactly where GCash comes in.
Take the first step to your easy era by signing up for GCash for Business at business.gcash.com today. You can get started as a merchant using just your verified GCash account of at least 12 months to qualify for a Starter Plan.
