Design is my Demon

Jun Escario Holiday 2011 Window Display

I’ve made some light fixtures for my home in the past few years.  Recently however, I was commissioned to design and fabricate a window display and incidentally decided to have lanterns in it.

DIY Light Fixtures (Personal Projects)

Jun Escario’s atelier is already one of the best lit stores in Greenbelt, Ayala Center.  It is the Goldilocks of lighting: Not too bright, not too dim, ample warmth… Just right.  Even though this was the case, I proposed to place lanterns in its window to have the warmth glow further, i.e. towards the passing customer.




Working on another window and merchandise display for the holidays, I’ve observed that so many windows are poorly lit, giving injustice to the merchandises’ sparkle, detail, silhouette, color or whatever makes their goods good. (Why don’t these windows have spots at least?).

Hence the use of lanterns.  Besides the vision of festiveness and elegance combined, and the glow reaching the customer... The light surrounding the mannequin would illuminate, create shadows and reflect light on the luxury of details.

Surrounded by Light: Recycled paper lanterns with hand-blown glass spindles and taupe tassels

Jun wanted the window to be streamlined compared to his previous showcases.  So initially planned floor elements of painted dried leaves and Christmas balls were taken out, leaving the displayed gown as the center of attention.

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Check out Jun Escario online at junescario.com

View the consolidated portfolio at lawrenceantaran.com

One of the reasons I love illustrating is that I have freedom to put my characters in couture and sometimes with designer furniture.

Here are some recent and not-so-recent illustrations in couture.

"Hotel Balcony" (Look Magazine) Lanvin Resort 2011

Pepe and Lulu" (Town & Country Philippines) Bea Valdes

"Buddies" (Look Magazine) Prada Spring Summer 2011

"Dianne" (Look Magazine) Diane von Furstenberg-inspired wrap

"Belabeled" (Unpublished)

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View the consolidated portfolio at lawrenceantaran.com.

For the past two months I’ve been hooked on contests.  I’ve read a relayed advise in Facebook for designers just to go on joining in contests, saying it’s a good way to gain experience and exposure.  It got stuck in my head somehow.

Last June I joined in Nine West’s tote design competition hosted by Talenthouse and in Giordano’s Typography Tee Design Contest.  I failed to break through their finals but I was somehow satisfied with my designs.  I've always thought I don't have that cool factor—that explosive yet restrained style expression suitable to be worn.  My experience has primarily been in advertising and communication wherein everything is meant to be clear.  And cool is secondary if necessary at all.

"Swan Damask" - Entry to Design for Nine West competition hosted by Talenthouse

Though not cool enough to win, the tote bag design “Swan Damask” didn’t appear amateur among 933 entries from all over the world. The feedback from voters was encouraging as well.  I have yet to see Giordano’s finalists (or other entries), but I’m quite pleased that I can create graphics beyond the thin and well-dressed female vector most people usually associate me with.

One of my three entries to the Giordano Typography Tee Design Contest. I'm thinking of making one of the creatures the blog mascot/ the official "demon."

After several logo design contests (“projects” as the site puts it), I nailed one with each revision and entry receiving stellar feedback from the contest holder!  It was for The Benefits Supermarket, an insurance and employee benefits company in New York.

"Life Cart" - Winning logo in a 99 Designs contest

But besides the win, it was really a good exposure.  Aptly, it felt like logo design boot camp. For half a month I participated in 10 contests, entering more than one entry for most. Also, I encountered a variety of clients such as social networking startups, an NGO for orphans in Africa and a luxury chocolate brand. Nothing I’ve ever dealt with before, so it was quite refreshing.  The level of competition was also quite daunting.  Many designs were simply impressive that you have to match the crispness of their execution.

I’ve just joined in a new competition in 99 Designs. But after these small victories (Nine West and Giordano experiences counted) I’m going to take it slower.  I’ve sort of had a reality check that these contests do take up a lot of time and effort.  And though they give added experience and exposure, they hardly build a career.  But be they contests or actual projects, I hope for more small victories.