Meet illustrator from Manila, Enid Din

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m an illustrator with a penchant for drawing plants, slice-of-life, spaces (environment) and my favorite anime and musical groups. I have experience illustrating for bookcovers, picturebooks, motiongraphics and editorial content. Aside from creating, I love my dog, cats and naps.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Well the city I’m in is the country’s capital so it is quite a busy city and to some is a city of opportunity due to it having relatively easier access to jobs, professional healthcare, top educational institutions, cultural experiences (like museums, parks)  as well as many of the government’s department offices. Because of this, the city brings together people from all over the country so you get to meet all kinds of people with their own local cultures and languages. The city is populated by buildings (commercial and residential) though there are some couple of green spaces like parks and zoos. If you ask me though I’d love to have more of these kinds of public spaces that can be enjoyed by people of all classes.

 

I’ve lived in Manila most of my life though I was raised in the province until I was 6 and I guess what this city has taught me over the years is how to be tough and prepared at all times. Many of the best of the field come together here in the capital so you get to be challenged to do as best as you can in your craft. Also with the fast-paced lifestyle here, I’ve grown to be more efficient in my day to day (even in my personal life like eating and such).

 

I’ve lived in Manila most of my life though I was raised in the province until I was 6 and I guess what this city has taught me over the years is how to be tough and prepared at all times. Many of the best of the field come together here in the capital so you get to be challenged to do as best as you can in your craft. Also with the fast-paced lifestyle here, I’ve grown to be more efficient in my day to day (even in my personal life like eating and such).

 

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Best is access to opportunities and the necessities. It is relatively easier here to get the help you need in terms of economical, health-related, educational and social issues. Worst is that due to centralization of opportunities, people who need access to these benefits have to leave their homes thus making the capital so densely populated. So pollution and trash here is higher compared to other locations. Sadly too, these promises of opportunities are still sometimes hard to reach by people from lower-income families which then results in many of them living a life of crime. Here you have to be really wary of your belongings wherever you are and to make sure that if you walk alone, you can protect yourself.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Inspiring. Competitive. Challenging.

 

How did you start your career in art?

I interned in one of the design studios during my college years which was a requirement for graduation. I then was absorbed as a designer/illustrator by the company when I finished my studies. I worked there for at least 2.5 years and at the same time made illustrations on the side. In 2017 I realized I have more passion for illustrations than design so I focused on illustrating.

 

In 2017 I realized I have more passion for illustrations than design so I focused on illustrating.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Haha I can’t say they weren’t but I can’t say they were too though. Firstly I was the first to pursue an artistic path in both sides of the family so they had no references to what my life would be like if I pursued that instead of becoming the architect my family wanted. Secondly, I am the 2nd child, one after the eldest child who would be pursuing medicine, so the expectations were that I would be a breadwinner providing for all 3 of my siblings and their education. Related to the first concern, having a stable income as an artist seemed unlikely to them so when I told them I wanted to shift to Multimedia Arts instead of finishing architecture, I had to write a long email to convince them which detailed my plans in the future and how I can make sure to provide from my siblings when I graduate. I can say they were disappointed but I guess my email was convincing enough for them to allow me to pursue this craft.  Aside from the college education, everything I use for my craft was bought by me because they weren’t deemed as necessities. If there was any creative venture I want to pursue, I have to provide for everything for it myself. So yeah I don’t know their stance to support my path as creative, but at least they are not heavily opposed I guess. Thankfully as I move forward I found people who do support my decision (many of which are online turned real life friends).

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I would love to work in a feature film maybe as a background artist or conceptual artist. Like that is one of my biggest dreams. I’m also a fan of musical pop groups so I would love to be a part of making art for them like album covers, illustrated promo art or a part for an animated music video would be a dream.

For less grander ones, I’ve achieved it already but would love to do more in the future, like making picture books and book covers.

 

I would love to work in a feature film maybe as a background artist or conceptual artist. Like that is one of my biggest dreams. I’m also a fan of musical pop groups so I would love to be a part of making art for them like album covers, illustrated promo art or a part for an animated music video would be a dream. For less grander ones, I’ve achieved it already but would love to do more in the future, like making picture books and book covers.

 

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

BTS, Aurora, Studio Ghibli, Furudate, James Jean. Qu Tianran, Noma.Dic  haha these are all so ambitious but I love the works they produce so much.

 

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

I guess in this part of my life right now, it’s time and resources. As I’ve said I am still a breadwinner in the family meaning that I have to put in extra work to provide for all of our necessities. This means I spend most of my days working to buy food and pay bills, leaving me with less energy and time to focus on my craft and grow my skills further. There are so many things I want to try, I want to experiment, I want to learn but there is no time, resources and space for me to work on them

 

Women I know deeply are tough, kind, dependable, loving and brave. We all have been through so much and I know that if there is anyone who can help me in a difficult situation, it is the women of my family that I would call for.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

Women I know deeply are tough, kind, dependable, loving and brave. We all have been through so much and I know that if there is anyone who can help me in a difficult situation, it is the women of my family that I would call for.

 

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Yes there are! I actively researched local women creatives when I was starting out since I have no one in my family I can look up to. I wanted to see for myself that hope that things can work out for us women in this field. To name a few of these creatives, they are Valerie Chua, Rian Gonzales and Mika Bacani.

 

Remember why you chose this field, why you started.

 

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Remember why you chose this field, why you started. I think I’ve seen more and more people losing their fire for their craft or being burnt out faster due to the effects of trying to keep up with the fast-paced consumption and system the digital/social spaces promote. I’ve been there too and wondered what’s the point in moving forward with this path. It was only by remembering the reason I chose this path above all the “more stable” paths available helped me get excited again in illustrating. Now instead of focusing on the external validations which are sometimes short lived, I focus on the work I am doing in the present, works I plan to do in the future and how I can grow more as an illustrator. Doing so made me value my pieces a lot more and have more fun with it.

 

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What type of music do you like to listen to?

I’m not good with music genre names so I don’t know what kind they are but I like music by BTS, Aurora and Of Monsters and Men. I also like City-Pop and the genre of music that is like Epik high’s Sleepless in ___________ album

 

What’s your favorite local food spot?

I don’t go out much (cause lack of money and energy haha ) so the only food spot I’ve visited and enjoyed was Kapitolyo’s food district which is walking distance from my house lol

 

Shreya Gupta asks: How do you promote your work?

Behance, Instagram and Twitter are my main spaces where I promote my work. From my experience, I get more job opportunities via Behance so I try my best to present my projects as best as I can there. With Twitter and Instagram, it is easier to get short-term projects so I promote there too and network.

 

Lisa Kogawa asks: What are your top 10 movies/books/comic/anime that motivate you?

Haikyuu, FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Paprika (Movie, 2006), Coraline (movie, 2009), Break the Silence (movie, 2020), Song of the Sea (Movie, 2014), This One Summer (graphic novel, 2014), Fantastic Mr. Fox (movie, 2009) and Meet the Robinsons.

 

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

Museums/Art spaces that are not that well known that you’d like to recommend?

 

 

Photos courtesy of Enid Din