Filipino Design

Design From Your Roots

As a Filipino-American, I want to represent my heritage in the things I design. From architecture, to industrial design, graphic design, fashion, transportation, communication, to the media, we can take the lessons of early Filipinos and apply them to the present and future.

I've compiled a list of things I see as uniquely Filipino, that designers can look to as an example and for inspiration. I've broken them down by category, but these things can and should be applied to any process of design.

Here is a site dedicated to the Social and Technical Innovations in the Philippines from the Likhaan Foundation.

In general, the elements of Filipino art and culture that influence me are:

• The materials: bamboo and rattan.
• Tropical shells that are used in many art motifs.
• Basketry and weaving.
• The beautiful embroidery on Filipino clothing like the Barong Tagalog.
• Roman-catholic iconographic art and religious art brought by the Spaniards.
• The textiles and patterns of the Moros in the southern Philippines.
• Colorful, precious stones used in jewelry and art.
• Bamboo fans with colorful artwork.
• Malay, Chinese, and Muslim influences
• Spanish colonialism, and religion
• The United States contributed commercialism, Pop culture, and technology.

Industrial Design

In order to compete in the world market, industrial designers of exportable products must be able to go above and beyond the rest of the world. In the case of the Philippines, improvement and domination of current products should be the first priority, and expansion to new products and new technology should come second. Here are some of the products that the Philippines is known for:

• Transportation
  • When you think of transportation in the Philippines, of course you think of the Jeepney. With it's colorful decoration and toughness, it has been adopted by the Philippines and given its own style. Here's a picture of a typical jeepney.
• Furniture
  • The Philippines is well known for its rattan furniture as well as its use of other native materials such as bamboo.
• Fixtures
• Housewares
  • Basketry from the Philippines is well-known. Learn more about it at Arise Philippine Baskets.

Fashion

Filipinos are fashionable people. They look to the current trends and borrow, integrate, and make it their own. The fashion industry is another profitable area that can be exploited by the Philippines. Here's a look back at the history and influences of fashion in the Philippines:

• Fashion
  • Here's one of my designs.
  • Here's some info on old Kasuotang Filipino has some more info on Filipino Fashion like the barong tagalog.
  • Here's a site that lists the upcoming events in the world of Philippine fashion called Philippine Fashion Events.
• Shoes
  • Tsinela is tagalog for sandals. Tsinelas are comfortable, durable, and are worn for almost every task around the house.
• Textiles
• Jewelry
• Eyewear
• Accessories