Meet Filipino graphic designer and illustrator, Raxenne Maniquiz.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Raxenne, a graphic designer and illustrator based in Makati, Philippines. I currently work at Plus63 Design Co. where I work on a lot of branding projects. I also freelance on the side and that’s where a lot of my illustration projects come in.

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

I’m really from Bulacan, a province next to Metro Manila, but because the traffic was too much to handle, I moved to Mandaluyong with friends five years ago. When our office moved to Makati, I had to move too. So it was just last January that I moved to Makati City. I’ve been here for 6 months and I like how it’s close to everything. Makati is the CBD of Metro Manila.

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

Hmmmm, I guess the coffee shops? Hahaha. I really love coffee and I work on my projects outside the studio mostly at coffee shops. I also like that I’m nearer where I work so it’s not that much of a hassle to get there. The worst is that it’s more expensive compared to where I lived before.

I really love coffee and I work on my projects outside the studio mostly at coffee shops.

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

Energetic, resourceful, patient

How did you start your career in art?

I only started illustrating about 6 years ago. I didn’t think that I could make a career out of it. Ever since then, I’ve been getting small commissions here and there, then because I’ve been really active posting my work online, brands noticed and hired me for campaigns too.

I only started illustrating about 6 years ago. I didn’t think that I could make a career out of it. Ever since then, I’ve been getting small commissions here and there, then because I’ve been really active posting my work online, brands noticed and hired me for campaigns too.

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

Yes. Very much so. My family is proud of what I do. My boss also pushes all of us to pursue work outside the studio. My friends are always there to believe in me whenever I feel like shit and I don’t think I can continue anymore. I’m really grateful for all of them. 🙂

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

I guess, for now, I’d like to focus more on creating personal work. I’ve been doing a lot of commercial work and though I’m thankful for all the projects, I really miss creating things for myself. Recently I’ve finished two! One is the zine made in collaboration with Bad Student. It compiles endemic flowers found in the Philippines. The other one is the Rafflesia Map of the Philippines, where I drew all of the Rafflesias endemic in my country and plotted where they can be found. It’s inspired by a map I saw from the 2009 research paper on Rafflesiaceae by Julie Barcelona, Pieter Pelser, Danilo Balete, and Leonard Co. It’s been amazing working on these because I learn a lot about the amazing species found here. Now I’m working towards finishing another flora map (which I actually started first before the Rafflesia one) about endemic flowers all over the country.

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

I can’t think of anyone in particular, but maybe someone or an organization who is in the field of botany? I would like to improve my work, the way I draw plants, and know more about the field I guess.

How would you describe the women around you?

I love the women around me! My mom is very supportive and she is also an amazing cook. Her sister, my godmother, is also very supportive of my creative work, ever since I started school. She also went to the same school and took the same course as me. My close friends are amazing women too, and I like how I can discuss ideas with them, from creative news to kpop. Haha.

I love the women around me!

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

I’m not really exposed to art when I was a kid. I didn’t know Van Gogh, or da Vinci, or any of the masters or the famous paintings. I honestly can’t remember when I was aware of them. I only knew that I loved drawing and coloring. I mentioned my godmother who also went to the same university. I think seeing her plates (school home works) and her art materials influenced me in some way. I remember borrowing her Sakura poster colors (for some reason I love the smell!) and her Prang watercolor set. I use them and draw flowers. OK, I just remembered now, but it was a lotus that I did!

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

I think I’m really lucky enough to not experience any discrimination in all the places where I’ve worked. Even with work outside the studio, I haven’t really faced difficulties.

Think of ways that can help set your foot inside that door.

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

Please don’t be shy and always share your work online. This is how I got a lot of projects which also led to other projects. Think of ways that can help set your foot inside that door. Portfolio reviews and internships really help a lot and put you on the radar of people who might hire you or commission you or even just refer you to people they know in the future. And don’t forget to always be kind and professional. 🙂

Photos courtesy of Raxenne Maniquiz and Plus63 Design Co.