Magtira Paolo

Magtira Paolo is an illustrator based in Manila. In 2018, he graduated with a BFA in Visual Communication in the University of the Philippines Diliman in the College of Fine Arts. He is currently working as a freelance illustrator with a variety of local and international clients.

Hi Paolo! Tell us about yourself - how did you get to where you are today? What first sparked your interest in design?

I got into art in general when I was in highschool. It was an escape since I was dealing with a serious illness at the time and it became some sort of therapy for me. Fortunately, I fully recovered and got out of it with a love for art. After that, I got accepted into one of the best art schools in my country. I am grateful to the mentors, friends and experiences that allowed me to further develop into the illustrator I am today. Fast forward to today I'm an adult with a job doing what I enjoy!

Magtira Paolo

How would you describe your design style and how has it changed over time?

My first ventures into design and illustration were really rudimentary, just vases and generally objects that I see around. Through meeting people and learning of the many different experiences in life, I became fixated on the portrayal of people. Specifically, the kind of spaces they exist in, what they wear, what kind of vibes they give off, all in ways that are not conventional in real life with bright color palettes or in grayscale. I also tend to focus on small details in my work, like the posters in a scene or the design of the clothes of the people being portrayed. All of it is deliberate. 

What’s your creative process like and how do you approach creative collaboration on projects?

I start with brainstorming sessions with clients or collaborators on keywords and key concepts we want to put in the final work. Normally this part of the process takes the longest, even more so than the actual creation. After the discussions, I make multiple studies of compositions so we would have multiple variations we can decide on. After fine tuning and picking the most fitting study, I proceed to rendering and putting in the elements. After making a final pass with the clients/collaborators, I finalize the work and it is done.

Are there particular themes you explore through your work?

I have a heavy focus on the human experience in my work, exploring both the mundane and more strange depictions of humans living their life. I also explore emotional themes of love and sadness, all universal emotions that humans understand.

What’s been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be your dream project? 

My favorite project has got to be my time directing an entire animated music video of an indie musical artist. It was great to be given free reign to create an interpretation of the music. It's also my favorite because I got to work with a team of amazingly talented artists. Shout out to Enzo Morelos and Anton Nartea!

Do you have any favorite design resources?

I mostly just get inspired by my favorite illustrators. Specifically the work of Japanese comic book artists like Inio Asano and Oshimi Shuuzo. Also Pinterest is a great place for inspiration as well. 

What advice would you give to new designers who are just starting out? 

I say just go for it. Find your inspirations and just do what you like! 

What are you working on now and what’s up next for you?

Besides freelance work, I'm currently working on a 120 page comic book to be published by the Philippine International Comic Book Festival (PICOF). Hopefully I'll be done before 2023.

Thank you for sharing with us Magtira! To view more of Magtira’s work, visit his portfolio on Behance and follow him on Instagram.

Magtira was nominated by Canva. All art courtesy of Magtira Paolo.