Meet Filipino designer and illustrator, Mady Marcelino

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! I am Mady Marcelino, a Designer and Illustrator. I’ve been working as a creative for almost 5 years and throughout I’ve ventured into the field of publishing, advertising and branding.

On the side, I also manage Hey, Mady!, my personal creative outlet or breather of sort and my works focus mainly on illustrations inspired by my love for Japanese Culture.

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

I live in Antipolo, an area that is an hour or two away from Manila. I’ve lived here my whole life and have always loved how peaceful and quiet the city is and though I’ve tried to live in Manila for a month or two for work, there is a huge part in me that always seek the comfort, the peaceful and quiet atmosphere that Antipolo have. It bustles but not as much that the noise disturbs you or distracts you. It’s a perfect balance.

It bustles but not as much that the noise disturbs you or distracts you. It’s a perfect balance.

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

The best thing about living in Antipolo is the laidback atmosphere. It’s never really a problem for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way anyway but not much ever really happens here unlike when you go to Manila where all the events happen. Accessibility is also one thing, you really can’t go anywhere unless you have a car or you live in the city proper.

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

Captivating, Thriving, Boundless

How did you start your career in art?

I’ve been drawing ever since I was a kid but it was only something I’d do to pass the time, it never really occurred to me that I was confident enough to say that I am good at it. It was fleeting, it comes and it goes.

It was only when I was on my third year in University when I realized I really wanted to pursue Fine Arts but I thought it was already too late for me to shift courses since I only had a year left before I graduate. I knew I had to compensate myself and that’s when I decided to pursue a career in design/art instead of pursuing a career related to my course. I didn’t know a thing or two about design/art but I didn’t budge on my decision and just went with it.

Having zero background in design/art definitely presented a disadvantage on my part but throughout the years I’ve been working as a creative, I realized that I was never really alone in the journey. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who shaped me into who I am today as a Designer and as an artist. I learned a lot on the way. Be it an advice from a TED Talk I watched, an ideology from a book I read, or a work ethic from the people I talked to – All of these are things I learned and applied in the process. It was a bit challenging starting out but everything is a challenge starting out, the gist is that it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want.

It was a bit challenging starting out but everything is a challenge starting out, the gist is that it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want.

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

Yes! I am lucky enough to have the people around me be supportive of what I chose as a career. I took a path that is slightly different from what I studied in University and I am very, very thankful that my family and friends didn’t question that one bit, they knew, they saw it coming and they just let me thrive on the path that I chose and love.

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

My works for Hey, Mady! was a personal intention at first, my illustrations were a result of a past experience that I try to acknowledge and stay true to, tried to create an outlet to and one illustration after another, it relieved from that feeling and it gave me a sense of solitude.

Now, the intention or the goal is to as much as possible transcend that energy, to be able to manifest and remind people through my illustrations how human we can be and should be, to give the people seeing my work the same sense of solitude when I first started out. The vision has to always be there.

There are things that I am aiming for, definitely – brands and artists that I want to collaborate with but I always see it as no ‘end goals’, I won’t stop if ever I get to achieve a dream collaboration. For me, it’s a never-ending cycle of creating, continuous learning and moving on to the next thing to another.

Now, the intention or the goal is to as much as possible transcend that energy, to be able to manifest and remind people through my illustrations how human we can be and should be, to give the people seeing my work the same sense of solitude when I first started out. The vision has to always be there.

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

Top of the mind, Hayao Miyazaki! I am always inspired and in awe by his whimsical and magical storytelling, how he is able to humanize the characters in his story and how he is able to turn the most mundane moments into something that we relate to in a personal and even nostalgic level. I owe a huge, huge part of who I am as an artist because of him and his works.

How would you describe the women around you?

Unstoppable! To see and surround myself with women with similar passion or even greater passion for their work definitely helps in keeping me inspired. Their purpose, ideologies, and work ethics motivate me to have a sense of purpose as well.

To see and surround myself with women with similar passion or even greater passion for their work definitely helps in keeping me inspired.

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

I wasn’t exposed early on to any local female creatives or I didn’t know a lot of artists back then but growing up, I used to watch a lot of Studio Ghibli movies which greatly influenced my works and how I want to always tell a story through my works.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I am very lucky enough to have worked and be surrounded by people who see us, female creatives, as equally capable of getting a seat at the table.

When finding your niche or style, always keep in mind that it doesn’t just happen overnight.

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

When finding your niche or style, always keep in mind that it doesn’t just happen overnight. Artists go through a series of trials and errors before coming up with a style that distinctly speaks for them. As for me, coming up to the style I have now for my illustrations went through a series of trials and errors – I’ve tried making colorful illustrations, abstract illustrations, and even ventured on the “weirder” side of art. Style develops after a series of accumulated experiences and the process will be slow and tedious. There will be times that you’ll get frustrated and you’ll start to question it, it’s inevitable and valid but in spite of all of these – PREVAIL and CONTINUE.

Ask yourself, Are you creating something that you like doing or are you creating something that you think people will love? There is nothing wrong with creating something that people will surely love but you must first do it for yourself, you must first love it yourself. Your works will not be everyone’s cup of tea and so might as well create something you enjoy.

Be true to your work. Being genuine with yourself and with your work transcends to people at a different level when it’s true.

Photos courtesy of Mady Marcelino