Graphic Design Survey

1. How are you involved or where do you use graphic design (or design in general) in what you do?
   

   I do it as part of my day job as a web developer.

2. In your opinion, what is the current state of graphic design in the Philippines? Pros and Cons?
   

   Uninspired and stagnant; though more people are getting onto the “artist” band-wagon I guess that’s a good thing?

3. Do you feel that local graphic designers are displaying a wide variety in their designs?
   

   not really, most of the prominent designers have their influences clearly translate into their work which is borderline copying in my opinion. The few designers that do have original work are either shunned and/or ignored by the industry and fellow “designers/artist”

4. What makes a designers work unique?
   

   when the designers persona translates to their work.

5. What about graphic designing as a job/business? Do you feel that working for an agency is best? Or free lance work?
   

   Free-lance for me. You’ll have freedom to choose your projects that best fits your style, and money won’t have such an influence on your work. Unless ofcourse of you design (as a day job) specifically for a fixed demographic who like your style which is highly improbable.

6. To your knowledge, and at the current state graphic design in the country, what would you say is the future of graphic designing?
   

   Not really sure about this, though I’m not optimistic about it either.

7. How is graphic design being used/NOT used in local ads or products? Do think that the graphic job necessarily relates and helps sell its particular product?
   

   No! Ads in the country are mainly socio-political in nature than anything else… I think they hire shrinks to conceptualize their ads. I’d say 1 in 10 ads do actually utilize graphic design to sell their products/services.

8. In terms of design in general (graphic, industrial, fashion, animation, 3d rendering, etc.) do you think that Philippine talent has improved? Are Philippine designer’s capable of competing internationally?
   

   Yes their skills have improved but they have become lazy in the sense that almost everything is just copied and pasted from various resources on the net. I don’t think we’re at a level where we can compete internationally.

9. If you have any other input or opinions regarding graphic design in the Philippines, please feel free to write it as you please. Any information is helpful and very much appreciated!
   

   I don’t think design in general will flourish in the country since most of the designers are motivated by their financial responsibilities. Only a handful can really dedicate themselves to their craft without worrying about their finances. Until the country matures economically and socially, only then will we see Filipino designers achieve their full potential.

Tagged as: design, sociopolitical