MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Bannering international speakers from Pixar Animation Studios, Weta FX, Art Zoo, and homegrown artists from Acid House, RIOT, Happy Garage as well, Graphika Manila is back this year from February 17 to 18 at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay.
With nearly two decades of run and garnering a reputation as Asia’s most influential conference on creativity, Graphika showcases incredible works from around the world. This year’s speakers are:
Lauren Tsai
Lauren Tsai is a multidisciplinary artist working through animation, illustration, directing, and acting whose work is an exploration of themes such as escapism and fantasy. Since appearing in the Netflix series Terrace House: Aloha State, her career as an artist and illustrator took off with opportunities to design and create capsule collections with brands such as Marc Jacobs.
Benjamin Su from Pixar Animation Studios
As the Directing Animator at Pixar Animation Studios, Benjamin brings characters to life with a unique blend of skill, vision, and passion. He showcases his mastery in the art of movement, emotion, and storytelling through animation and his artistic prowess extends to the world of comic book covers for Marvel where he lends his distinctive style to iconic characters. Benjamin is also the co-creator of the Chomp, a delightful and imaginative addition to the world of collectible toys.
Timothy Goodman
A versatile and multidisciplinary artist, Timothy has gained recognition for his contributions in various creative fields, including graphic design, illustration, and art direction. His design work is characterized by hand-drawn elements, vibrant colors, and a touch of humor. He is known for using his artistic platform to address social and cultural issues and has worked with brands such as Apple, Nike, Google, Samsung, MoMa, Netflix, YSL, Time, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. His partnerships have included a global collection of clothing with Uniqlo and a Nike basketball shoe with Kevin Durant.
Ryan Serrano from WetaFX
Philippine-born and raised Ryan Serrano takes pride in his exceptional skills in creating digital models for films and collectibles. He is currently a modeler/sculptor at WetaFX where he contributes to the production of CGI characters and creatures for movies. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Ryan has worked in various fields including visual effects, special effects, toy production, and collectibles. His portfolio extends to working on brands and films such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Transformers, Disney, and James Cameron’s Avatar.
Jackson Tan from Art-Zoo
Jackson Tan is a Singaporean artist known for creating Art-Zoo, an interactive and immersive art installation known for its inflatable and illuminated animal-themed structures that create a whimsical and fantastical environment. He is one of the founding partners of contemporary art and design collective PHUNK and is known for his role in initiatives that blend art, design, and cultural engagement.
Mark & Joanna Deutsch from Happy Garaje
Happy Garaje Design Studio Co. is an art and design collective that was co-founded by the creative duo, Johanna and Mark Deutsch specializing in designing objects, spaces, and experiences where people can share stories and make friends. Their local design portfolio contains over 1000 projects in Cebu City and its nearby areas. They take pride in serving their community through design work, viewing it as a way to continually learn from their neighbors and contribute to the creative landscape of their city.
Mark Mendoza from Friendly Foes
Founded in 2014, Friendly Foes is a boutique development and animation studio led by acclaimed director Mark Mendoza whose 10-year experience in the advertising industry made the studio cater to the creative needs of local and international brands. Since shifting its focus to champion local stories on the global stage, Friendly Foes is sought-after to create compelling visual narratives that reflect the richness of local culture and heritage.
Ivan & Pauline Despi from Acid House
The Acid House, led by power couple Ivan and Pauline Despi, is a motion design and animation company specializing in live-action compositing and motion graphics. From the initial concept to the final renderings, The Acid House handles every step of the creative process with expertise and precision. Their team’s diverse skill set allows them to seamlessly integrate design, animation, and sound, resulting in immersive and impactful visual experiences for their clients.
Jethro Olba
Recognized for his distinctive style characterized by squiggly lines and artwork inspired by the pop culture of yesteryear, Jethro Olba draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including vintage basketball, cubist art, classic cartoons, nostalgic toys, and vintage comics. Apart from working with notable brands such as Nike, Crocs, NBA, Krispy Kreme, Jethro leads his lifestyle brand called Antibiotic Smile and co-directs the Odin & Grotesk Design Studio.
Jay Santiago from Riot
Driven by a passion for creating exceptional art while infusing fun into every project, Riot is a pioneer in delivering CG effects for commercials and television shows. Gaining its big break from the 2003 GMA series Mulawin, Riot continues to provide top-notch animation services for both 2D and 3D projects, breathing life into characters, and creating exceptional visual effects, and motion graphics.
Risa Rodil
Risa Rodil is a designer, illustrator, and letterer who channels her whimsical side into delightful illustrations. Her illustrations often feature playful characters, intricate details, and a distinctive style that incorporates hand-lettering into her designs, which adds a personal and unique flair to her artwork. She has garnered recognition for her ability to convey complex ideas through visually appealing and accessible illustrations.
Liza Flores, Abi Goy, Fran Alvarez from Studio Dialogo
Started in 2006, Studio Dialogo specializes in designing corporate identity, environments and interiors, restaurant graphics, food packaging, and books. The studio’s approach involves engaging in various design disciplines to provide holistic and comprehensive solutions to their clients. As the name suggests, the studio’s commitment to collaboration helps ensure that the client’s needs and vision are fully understood and incorporated into the design process.
Over the years, Graphika has been attended by over 40,000 thinkers, designers, and collaborators in a weekend full of creative inspiration, learning, and networking.
Graphika Manila 2024 is happening from February 17 to 18 at the SMX Convention Center. Conference pass starts at PHP 2980 and are available here.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of Graphika Manila 2024.
