JOHN VINCENT REDRICO
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer John Vincent Redrico ("JVR") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.
DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
JVR : I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Visual Communication at the College of Fine Arts in The University Of the Philippines back in 2006. Gained ground as an Art Director for multinational ad agencies, magazine publications, and other personal one-stop-solution clients, I'm now enjoying my career in the fast world of digital content marketing. Back in 2012 I started my own company with an advocacy to promote Filipino creativity giving birth to CreativeManila.com
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
JVR : Having family and relatives doing art and design while growing up greatly influenced my decision to be a designer. What I love about doing design is the problem-solving aspect of it, I try to treat all of my design projects like puzzles that I need to crack.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
JVR : Chose to be a designer, but basically grew up with family and relatives having careers in design.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
JVR : I've started designing for advertising, then shifted my attention to print magazine design, and now I'm more interested in designing for UX/UI. I would like to explore innovative product design, because I'm really interested in the idea of human interaction with products.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
JVR : Never stop learning.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
JVR : A good designer will design for eyes, a great designer will design for humans.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
JVR : A really good design for me will really feel that the product is successful in trying to solve a problem.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
JVR : A good design should fulfill its purpose, solving a design problem. And everyone should invest in good design especially if it is innovative pushes us one step towards the future.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
JVR : I would design a better road traffic system for Manila to solve the traffic congestion, that will eventually help the lives of Filipinos residing in Metro Manila
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
JVR : A secret start-up company that will aid Filipino advertising agencies, photographer, and designers.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
JVR : My passion to solve puzzles.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
JVR : Saul Bass, George Lois, Johnathan Ive, and Lee Clow.
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
JVR : The iPhone Design and UI, because it revolutionized how we communicate.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
JVR : For me its CreativeManila.com,because I really think this project is serving it's purpose, by elevating and promoting Filipino brand of design.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
JVR : They could visit www.creativemanila.com to get more inspiration.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
JVR : A stand-up comic.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
JVR : Design is a system of thought that solves problems in innovative ways.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
JVR : My family and my wife, who is also a designer.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
JVR : By continuously learning and combining all of my career experiences in different design-related fields.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
JVR : My lack of self-confidence in my own work.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
JVR : They should present it like its their gift to the world.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
JVR : A secret start-up company that will aid Filipino advertising agencies, photographer, and designers.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
JVR : To create something that will revolutionize how we live as humans and to create a legacy in design will live beyond my years.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
JVR : Being able to outdo myself and my previous work.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
JVR : Design, especially if it is innovative pushes us one step towards the future making our lives a little better.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
JVR : Besides Creative Manila I'm currently involved with D5 Studio, creating groundbreaking digital content for the fast shifting digital landscape in the Philippines.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
JVR : Creative Manila, but I treat as an advocacy and my way of giving back to the design community.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
JVR : UX-first design thinking.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
JVR : It really depends on the project.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
JVR : Drafting the idea.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
JVR : Design for humans.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
JVR : I believe that Social Evolution sets the change in human behavior, which then sets the design needed for that change, which then sets the trend.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
JVR : It aids and materializes my design ideas to reality.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
JVR : As a graphic designer, I have my laptop as my main hardware and Adobe CC for my design softwares
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
JVR : it aids the design to connect the user/audience to a more emotional level.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
JVR : What was going through your head when you thought of that design?
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
JVR : Wondering what the thought process was behind the idea.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
JVR : I believe in co-design if both designers have different expertise and specialization that they can offer on the table.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
JVR : The people that actually don't know or doesn't care about design, by just merely observing them and how they interact with a certain design.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
JVR : Architecture, Industrial Design, and Paul Arden books for inspiration.
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
JVR : By never stop learning.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
JVR : Nikola Tesla.
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
JVR : I am very thankful and happy with all the awards and recognition especially when you hear that your loved ones are really proud of your achievements. I always think that awards shouldn't go in your head but instead give back to the community and industry that helped you achieve it.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
JVR : Color= Green, Place= Home, Food= Coffee, Season= Cold Weather, Thing= Laptop, Brand=Creative Manila
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
JVR : Starting out as a young designer, While presenting to a client I kept on complimenting the previous campaign that they had for their brand until the client corrected me that the campaign was from a different company and industry with almost the same name as theirs. Lesson of the story: research, research, research... and know when to shut up.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
JVR : I feel content when I feel that I accomplished something great and important and gave all my efforts and energy to make this happen. I motivate myself by thinking that this project can be the next awesome thing gunning for an award.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
JVR : I never thought of that.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
JVR : People are living already in a different planet, and all our design will just be part of the ancient past.
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
JVR : Please support my Creative Manila initiative, to promote and spark the rising filipino creative spirit.
