For over two decades, Graphika Manila has stood as a defining platform for creative excellence — bringing together the world’s most influential designers, artists, and storytellers under one roof.
Returning on March 7 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, the conference continues its legacy of spotlighting bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and the people shaping the future of creativity.
This year, Graphika Manila gathers a compelling mix of global trailblazers and homegrown visionaries whose work continues to push boundaries and inspire the industry forward. Here are Graphika Manila’s 2026 speakers:
Wade & Leta
Based in Brooklyn, New York, creative duo Wade Jeffree & Leta Sobierajski work across sculpture, painting, installation, and spatial design, evolving from their roots in graphic design and photography into large-scale public artworks and immersive environments exhibited in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and Beijing.
Their practice is defined by graphic clarity and radical optimism, with color, form, and space flowing seamlessly between their shared life and creative output — bringing “Music To Your Eyes.”
Geloy Concepcion
Geloy Concepcion is a Filipino photographer and artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, best known for his globally acclaimed project “Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did,” which overlays anonymous confessions onto old film photographs. Born and raised in Pandacan, Manila, he began with street art before turning to photography, using his candid documentary style to amplify underrepresented voices with honesty and emotional depth.
His work, including projects like “Reynas delas Flores: Manila’s Golden Gays” and “Happy Land,” has been exhibited across the US, Europe, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. In 2021, he received the Thirteen Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, cementing his place among the country’s most important contemporary artists.
Catalina Estrada
Catalina Estrada is a Colombian illustrator and pattern designer based in Barcelona, known for her vibrant visual language inspired by Latin American nature and culture. Through her brand, Catalina Estrada®, her work appears on textiles, wallpapers, fashion, stationery, and everyday objects, bringing art into daily life through color, balance, and repetition.
A graphic design graduate with honors from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, she further developed her practice in fine arts in the United States and Spain. Today, she also shares her perspective as a speaker and educator, exploring how color, simplicity, and beauty can connect people, cultures, and stories through design.
Sony Pictures Animation (Wendell Dalit)
Wendell Dalit is an art director at Sony Pictures Animation, where he most recently brought his creative vision to the upcoming feature “KPop Demon Hunters.” He previously contributed to the Academy Award–winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its acclaimed sequel “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” helping shape two of animation’s most celebrated visual worlds.
Since joining the studio in 2014, Wendell has worked on films including “Smurfs: The Lost Village” and “The Emoji Movie,” building a portfolio defined by imagination and technical finesse. Born in Manila and raised in San Jose, California, he studied illustration at San Jose State University and continues to craft stories through color, world-building, and a deep love for the medium.
Baugasm
Vasjen Katro, widely known as Baugasm, is an Albanian visual designer and creative director whose journey into design began through his passion for electronic music, initially creating artwork for his own releases. He rose to global prominence through his iconic “a-poster-a-day” project, committing to publish a new poster every day for two consecutive years — a testament to his discipline and relentless creative drive.
What began as designing music covers has since evolved into a bold visual universe that inspires millions, defined by vibrant color, energy, and experimentation. Today, Baugasm stands as one of the internet’s most recognizable creative forces, driven by curiosity, persistence, and a deep belief in art as a form of personal expression.
Lei Melendres
Lei Melendres is a Manila-based freelance illustrator and professional doodle artist known for his highly detailed and imaginative style, “Infinity Mix,” where monsters, robots, patterns, and unexpected characters collide in dynamic, intricately woven compositions. Working across traditional and digital media, his work transforms playful chaos into rhythm and visual storytelling.
Beyond his practice, Lei is a key figure in the local doodle art movement, serving as Head of Doodle Art Enthusiasts (DAE), the country’s largest doodle community, and founder and Creative Director of Doodle Arts Magazine. His portfolio spans commercial and personal projects, including notable work for Zifflin’s “Doodle Fusion” coloring book, reflecting his role in shaping and elevating doodle art in the Philippines.
Snask
Snask is a Stockholm-based creative agency founded in 2007 by brand director Freddie Öst and creative director Erik Kockum, known for its bold, unconventional approach to design, film, and storytelling. Proudly embracing their identity as “misfit geniuses,” the duo champions authenticity, emotion, and joyful disruption as essential creative tools.
Beyond client work, Snask has expanded its influence through ventures including their bestselling book “Make Enemies & Gain Fans,” launching their own beer, co-founding a design festival, and performing as part of the rock band VÄG. Together, they continue to shape a creative practice defined by fearless expression, strong beliefs, and a rock-and-roll spirit.
Puppeteer Studios
Puppeteer Animation Studios, Inc. is a Philippine-based 3D animation studio known for delivering full-production work for film, AAA games, television, and commercials, with global partners including Netflix, LEGO, and Warner Bros. Founded in 2013, the studio brings stories to life through a full pipeline of services, from concept art and storyboarding to animation, VFX, and compositing.
The studio is also developing original IP such as “Anito,” inspired by Filipino mythology, alongside award-winning short films like “Geo.” Representing Puppeteer Animation Studios is Creative Director and CEO Aurthur Mercader, who grew the company from a small freelance group into a 60-person team, championing Filipino creativity on the global stage.
Rich Tu
Rich Tu is a first-generation Filipino-American designer based in Brooklyn, NY, and Partner and Executive Creative Director at Sunday Afternoon, with previous leadership roles at Jones Knowles Ritchie, MTV Entertainment Group, and Nike. An ADC Young Guns recipient and Paul Manship Medallion honoree, he is recognized for bold creative work that spans branding, storytelling, and cultural commentary.
His practice extends beyond client work through projects like his Webby-nominated solo exhibit “Human Response” and the Webby-honored podcast “First Generation Burden,” which explores diversity in the creative industry. Rich has also collaborated with global brands including The New York Times, Nike, A24, Adidas, American Express, and Coca-Cola, with his work exhibited across major cities worldwide.
Jill Arteche
Jill Arteche is a Manila-based visual artist and illustrator known for transforming everyday Filipino moments into vibrant, humorous, and offbeat works. With her bold colors and playful perspective, she brings charm and character to scenes of daily life.
A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University’s Information Design program, Jill began her career in advertising before completing an illustration residency at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work now spans exhibitions, product design, and collaborations with major brands such as Nike, Philippine Airlines, Canva, and GCash, celebrating the humor and heart of Filipino culture.
Rocketsheep Studios
Rocketsheep Studio is the indie animation collective led by Filipino filmmaker and animator Avid Liongoren, known for its playful, hand-drawn approach and fiercely original storytelling. The studio brings to life “Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X” (2025), an exuberant 2D animated adaptation of the cult-favorite graphic novel about a shy beautician who transforms into a flamboyant superhero after a magical meteorite encounter.
A veteran of the Philippine advertising industry, Avid has directed numerous commercials and music videos, infusing each with his signature genre-bending style. Through Rocketsheep and its close-knit team of illustrators, animators, and “friendsheep,” he continues to champion bold, heartfelt animation driven by imagination and craft.
Communication Design Association of the Philippines
The Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP) is the country’s premier organization dedicated to championing excellence and innovation in communication design. Founded by industry leaders, it brings together professionals across graphic design, branding, advertising, and related disciplines to elevate creative standards and advocate for the industry’s role in shaping the nation’s cultural and economic future.
Committed to fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking community, CDAP provides resources, education, and platforms that empower Filipino designers to grow their craft and expand their impact locally and globally. Through its initiatives, the organization continues to strengthen the voice of Philippine design and promote its value as a strategic and cultural force.
Get Graphika Manila 2026 Tickets
Graphika Manila 2026 offers conference passes at PHP 3,480 during the regular rate period from January 31 to March 6, with walk-in tickets priced at PHP 3,780, subject to availability.
Students can also join the experience at a special rate of PHP 2,980, with walk-in passes available at PHP 3,280, making the conference accessible to the next generation of creatives eager to learn from and connect with some of the industry’s most influential voices.
Aside from event admission for two-days, the ticket includes a copy of The Graphika Art Book, containing artwork from the community, curated by Graphika; networking opportunities; and an e-certificate.
For more information on how to get tickets, visit this website. Head to this website for Frequently Asked Questions.
Stay updated on adobo Magazine’s Graphika Manila 2026 coverage.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of Graphika Manila 2026.
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