PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 – The Philippine Graphic Design Awards (PGDA) is calling for entries until September 15, 2010, as it paves the way to a community celebration of the creative Filipino spirit in a showcase of the most original and innovative graphic designs of our time.
On its first year, PGDA encourages Filipino graphic designers—practitioners and students alike—to submit their best work in over thirteen categories in three divisions: Professional, Student, and Open.
Making up the 2010 PGDA panel of judges is an eclectic mix of nine creative industry heavyweights, individuals who have placed the Philippines on the design map of the world: AJ Dimarucot, Brandie Tan, Cynthia Arre, Dave Ferrer, Drew Europeo, Joel Limchoc, Jose Ticsay, Jowee Alviar, and Nico Puertollano. Each offers a distinct perspective from years of experience in the spectrum of creative and graphic design industries. These jurors were invited to help discover today’s budding designers.
While the jurors have varied backgrounds, they all echo similar sentiments. As AJ Dimarucot puts it, “I like design that makes you think, ‘Wish I did that!’ It should communicate what it’s supposed to communicate in a fresh, meaningful way.” Drew Europeo backs it up with this advice for emerging designers, “Work to create your own style, study every technique available and experiment a lot until you arrive at something that has not yet been seen before or at least something that you can say is truly your own.”
Cynthia Arre also shares, “Hopefully [PGDA] will teach more students to take graphic design as a career seriously. Also, because plagiarism and imitation of others’ works is strongly discouraged in the competition, I have a feeling there’ll be an upsurge of quality output from the talented artists out there. I’m also hopeful that the PGDA will encourage healthy competition among professionals in the creative industry.”
The winners of the first Philippine Graphic Design Awards will be revealed on the awards show slated on October 9, 2010 at The Tents, Alphaland Southgate, EDSA corner Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati City.
True to the graphic design spirit, PGDA designed what it calls its C, M, Y, and K Trophies for the Awards. Student entries stand to win the “C Award” or the Cyan Trophy as the runner-up prize, and the “M Award” or the Magenta Trophy as the top prize. Meanwhile, the “Y Award” or the Yellow Trophy and the “K Award” or Black Trophy is the runner-up and top prize, respectively, for both the professional and open divisions.
In addition, the “M Award” comes with an internship opportunity at some of the country’s finest creative agencies including 27+20 Design Boutique, BBDO Guerrero, and Team Manila, among others. The “K Award” is also complemented by a prize pack from my|phone.
PGDA is co-presented by Energy FM and Jack TV; major partners are Digital Switchover, LaCie Digital Storage, my|phone, and Philips GoGear; and, supporting partners include SEAIR, The Bar, and YoCards. Media partners include Adobo Magazine, Media Magnet Innovation, and Rogue Magazine. Official radio partners are Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, 99.5RT, and Wow 103.5, and its community partners are 27+20 Design Boutique, Graphika Manila, Manila Design Week, and Vinyl On Vinyl.
