In March, we launched our logo competition, giving a chance to talented creative minds to show their skills to our audience. The competition was open to anyone over 18 wishing to get hands-on with an exciting yet rewarding graphic design project.

The prize was to have an interview published on our pages and a featured portfolio, plus the logo on our cover – did you spot it? There were no limits to the logo design, as long as it represents our core values. Hence, equality, diversity/ representation, and sustainability are the key inspiring elements for this competition.

The winner is Myron Macapagal, a graphic designer and photographer who saw his photos published in our February issue. You can hear more from this talented creative over the next pages!

The silver medal is awarded to Arne Lawrence, who proposed a black and white versatile logo perfect to be also transformed in a photoshoot 3D prop.

The bronze medal is for Jakko Tikkanen. Diversity and representation found a place in the letters’ unconventional yet harmonic placement, while the timeless logo font, neutral and never boring, is a symbol of sustainability.

Ignatius Bimo’s logo conveys a sense of representation with a touch of timeless trendiness given by the red high heels. Overall the logo is easily memorable thanks to the vivid colour palette.

Isabella Martinetti’s logo features a hanger composed of three arrows that don’t touch each other. This shape represents a circular approach, a vital element in today’s fashion.

Mary Matthews’s entry showed two hands symbolising community, enclosing a flower representing fashion and beauty.

We had some fabulous entries, and after narrowing it down to just the top six, YOU had your say on your favourite! Now, let’s hear from Myron Macapagal about the winning design and his career so far.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WINNER: MYRON MACAPAGAL

Do you consider yourself more as a photographer or a graphic designer?

I would consider myself half of a graphic designer and half of a photographer to make me whole. I enjoy doing both because of the sense of fulfilment that I get every time I finish a project. For me they show two different sides of artistry. With graphic design I have the freedom and flexibility to use my imaginations to create artworks, photography on the other hand challenges me to perfectly capture and preserve emotions to create memories. Also working as a graphic designer puts food on my plate and my photography feeds my soul.

Where did you learn your graphic design skills?

I took up architecture back in the Philippines and that’s where I started to be keen on details and specifics but it was in Dubai where I took short courses in Basic Graphic Design. When we moved to Canada I had the chance to go back to school, so I took a Graphic Design course at Reeves College, and this helped me further expand my knowledge and develop new skills and techniques that I use in my present job.

What was your path to the career you have now?

In terms of work experience I have been through many. I’ve worked with different companies in the Philippines and abroad. I tried retail, marketing and designs, different departments but all requiring the same skills of being artistic and creative. Experiences from these jobs gave me an edge for creating designs that are more catchy and appealing to clients and the general public. Currently I am working with LEONAITER VENTURES LTD a Minuteman Press franchise under Terry and Nairobys, I’m fortunate to work for a company that is supportive and treats me as family.

My next goal is to gear up for what would be the next step in my career. I am building up my own portfolio in both design and photography so I can have my own production as a reward and fulfilment from years of experience and hard work.

What was the inspiration behind your winning logo design?

London being a fashion city is an icon by itself but of course the infamous Big Ben standing tall and mighty will always be the best representation of British Culture. Having stood the tests of time and standing witness to monarchs that have come and gone it deserves to be recognised all over the world. It is a symbol of power and superiority like what the magazine represents.

How can someone become a graphic designer if they are interested in trying it out?

To become a graphic designer you need to have a mind of an artist. Other than having the skills, knowledge and proper materials you must be determined to do something better than what you did last. You need to think out of the box so your projects will be unique and well thought of. Patience is essential in this line of work and so is time because there are no shortcuts in art. As they say Rome wasn’t built in a day.

How do you deal with criticism and bad feedback for your work, either photography or graphic design?

I am open to criticism and yes even bad feedback because I understand that’s how one will improve in his craft. In my case I may have been doing graphic design for a long time already but I still consider myself a work in progress. Systems and methods are continuously being updated so it is always better to equip yourself with the latest version and “know-how” all the time. And the best way to get to know this is by listening to comments and feedback because eventually you will also learn from them.

What are your major inspirations in your creative work?

In everything that I do family is always my inspiration. They are my weakness and my strength. My dreams, my achievements are all for them. I never hide my failures from my kids because I want them to learn from that so they will become better versions of themselves.

What style of photography do you enjoy doing the most?

I tried to expose myself to different styles of photography but it is portrait photography that I enjoy doing most. With portraiture I get to capture emotions, attitude, moods and expressions of the subject using lights, props, backgrounds and poses. A portrait shot that is perfectly captured is a photo that tells a story, if you ever heard the phrase “a photo that you can hear” that is how I want portrait photos to come out. And hats off also to my DAMUHAN EXCLUSIVE Brotherhood Behind Lens for the inspiration, support and build up and for the non stop projects, learning and sharing of ideas on how to make them as great images.

How has the last year been for you?

Like for most people, last year was a very challenging year for me as well. For a time, my manager had to slow down because no clients were coming in. Our pre-scheduled shoots for events were cancelled. The fear of the unknown was real! But staying home gave me the time that I needed to organise all my photos, learn new things and be with family. The time spent with them is priceless. What’s important is that we are healthy and safe so I am still thankful for that.

What is your proudest achievement so far?

My proudest achievement is when my photo was published for the first time and then another and another until I reached my 58th international publish in the span of seven months. It’s like a validation that I am indeed a photographer because my photos are now recognised by a wider audience. But once this magazine is out with my winning logo and story in it, this will take place of my proudest achievement to date. Also thank you to all who supported me by voting and liking my entry to win in this competition, it was indeed a quite good experience.

Where can our readers find more of your work?

Instagram @myronmacapagal and myronmacapagal.kavyar.site on my photography work and myrondesignphotography.myportfolio.com/portfolio for both Graphic Design and Photography, I need to update this one now adding this special feature.

Enjoy this glimpse of some selected works from Myron’s portfolio!