And we’ll see it move starting tomorrow. Graphic Design, I mean.

Mark the dates, 08 - 15 August 2009, as we experience the creativity and innovations of Philippine Graphic Design across various mediums as Manila Design Week 2009 (MDW09) establishes our country as a major hub of Graphic Design through a week-long series of activities.

Manila Design Week 2009 gathers all graphic designers – local and international, established and up and coming – to celebrate the emerging graphic design scene in the country today. The first of its kind in the Philippines, it aims to bring Philippine Graphic Design into the mainstream. More than that, Manila Design Week 2009 aims to establish the Philippines as a major hub of Graphic Design and creativity in the region, if not the world.

Everything and anything Graphic Design in all media will be featured – from print and publication design to web and motion graphics, its application in photography, advertising and the fashion world. Other highlights are student projects and design masterpieces by the Who’s Who in Graphic Design. It doesn’t matter what form it takes on as long as it’s Graphic Design.

It’s all about fusion as Manila Design Week 2009 promotes collaboration of artists in these fields in a week-long lineup of events to be held in different creative hot spots throughout the Metro, with each day showcasing a different theme.

As much as it is inspiring, Manila Design Week 2009 is also informative. Along with the exhibits and activities will be daily dialogs and seminars with and for the graphic designer, the everyday individual, and the client; whether from the creative industry or from the corporate world. The fusion, collaboration and celebration of the Graphic Design Movement will all point to one essential truth: Graphic Design moves.

Though it mainly targets the graphic designer and entities that involve graphic design, I’m particularly interested to check out Day 2, Creative Collaboration (see event schedule below). I have to admit that when I first scanned through the email invite, I was doubtful that I’d be even remotely interested. I had toyed with the idea of pursuing graphic design as I had initially ventured into web administration, graphic layout and content generation mostly, but the taxing hours I have to spend in front of Photoshop and needing to learn how to use Illustrator and other design apps have caused me to drop it. But I spotted that Manila Design Week has a website so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about them.

MDW Schedule

Day One

Public Art Project
08 August
Saturday, 4pm - 11pm
Bonifacio High Street

Day Two

Creative Collaboration
10 August
Monday, 8pm - 11pm
The Gallery\Greenbelt 5

Day Three

Future Design
11 August
Tuesday, 6:30pm
Glorietta

Day Four

Design Dialogue
12 August
Wednesday, 4pm - 7pm
Greenbelt MyCinema

Day Five

The Cubao Experience
13 August
Thursday, 9pm
Cubao X

Vs. Exhibit
13 August
Thursday, 7pm
Alliance Francaise de Manille

VWV Exhibit
13 August
Thursday
Greenbelt 3 Lobby

Day Six

Daily Grind 4
14 August
Friday, 9pm
TM Lifestyle Store Jupiter

Day Seven

Graphika Manila
15 August
Saturday, 10am

Anyway, Day 2: Creative Collaboration (Cross Breeding for a Fashion Editorial) is a fashion photography exhibit which will feature the works of 40 of the biggest names in fashion and design world, supported by Nokia 6700 Classic. They’re grouped into eight (8) teams and worked with a theme: Beautiful Functional (the two basic tenets of graphic design).

Team 1
Jun De Leon \ Aj Dimacurot \ Milett Argaza \ Ria Gamboa

Team 2
Vince & Liz Uy \ Inksurge \ Kai Huang \ Cathy Cantada

Team 3
Xeng Zulueta \ Yodel Pe \ Lotho \ Jake Verzosa

Team 4
Rev Naval \ EverywhereWeShoot \ Pinky Alcantara

Team 5
Joey Samson \ Erickson Enriquez \ Ines Lobregat \ Marc Nicdao \ Michael Salientas

Team 6
Celine Gabriel \ Leica Carpo \ Yuki Geraldo \ Eric Liongoren \ Mike Sicam

Team 7
Juan Caguicla \ Liz Bautista \ Wiji Lacsamana \ Solenn Heusaff \ Sharon Atillo

Team 8
At Maculangan \ RCXY \ Guadakomeda \ Monica Reyes

It’s interesting to note that a couple of the supporters for this day are Make Up For Ever and L’Oreal, of course, powered by Nokia. How the last bit works, I’m not sure. Heh.

The Day 2: Creative Collaboration and most of the other days of Manila Design Week 2009 are free and open to the public with the exception of Day 4: Design Dialogue but folks are invited to join their 20/20 Project, more info on that will be available in their website after 12 August; and Day 7: Graphika Manila, again, folks are thus invited to the Graphika Manila closing party — wherein you can hang out with the speakers and special guests — which will be held at Mag:Net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street, 7pm.

More information on Manila Design Week 2009 is available at www.maniladesignweek.com or you can drop them a note via email, info@maniladesignweek.com.

P.S. You can drop off your mobile phone recyclables at any Nokia E-cycling bin on 08 August Public Art Day and you can get a limited edition Nokia Tarp Bag for free.

If any of you folks are planning to check out Day 2: Creative Collaboration, too, do let me know. I’d love to meet and perhaps have coffee with you after checking out the exhibit. Or simply come up and say hi!

Image: maniladesignweek.com