PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Rice is a multidisciplinary artist (designer, illustrator, animator, printmaker, zinester, amateur creative coder) from the Philippines, based in New York City. They graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in Illustration and are currently pursuing further studies in UI/UX design at Parsons School of Design. Their design practice advocates for inclusivity and centers empathy first and foremost, aiming to gear towards audiences who are often overlooked. Outside of design, their other creative ventures explore the intersection of whimsy and chaos, and they draw inspiration from fiction as well as their experiences as a queer Filipino. They wield color and type to effectively convey mood and expression in creating vibrant, engaging, and meaningful visual solutions. In their spare time, they can be found consumed by responsibilities as a parent of two… cats!
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Being in a community with other creatives. Their enthusiasm and drive to create is always infectious.
WHAT AREA OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
Right now, my graduate program is geared towards UX design, so I’m hoping to work in that field. Although I’m open to anything! I’m also interested in motion design, branding/identity design, and interaction + web design. I’ve been an illustrator for longer than I’ve been a designer and am still very much looking for illustration opportunities too.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of critical analysis required in some of my design coursework. It’s so much fun. I love seeing research-based decisions come together when crafting meaningful design.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
I’m learning a lot from my classmates in my program (MPS Communication Design) and look up to them immensely—I’m grateful to be surrounded by such talented designers every day.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING (BOOKS, MOVIES, TV, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC)?
I’m a lifelong fan of compelling narratives and storytelling so I’m constantly consuming media (that’s another thing that inspires me)! I love animation the most. For movies, I recently watched The Substance by Coralie Fargeat and I can’t stop thinking about it—I love stories that also serve as commentary on society and the self, executed in unique and fresh ways.
DO YOU, OR DO YOU PLAN TO, DESIGN FOR ANY CAUSES OR CHARITIES, I.E., DESIGN FOR GOOD?
I help run an independent Risograph micropress/collective founded by my best friend called Kittybug Press (https://kittybugpress.xyz/) for Filipino female and LGBTQ+ artists! We have open calls for these artists who are interested in having their work (prints, zines) printed in riso but are unable to do so because they lack access to it both physically and financially; risograph is an incredibly limited and expensive medium in the Philippines. We do this because we want to invest and give back to our community!
DO YOU FEEL THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS PREPARED YOU TO FIND A JOB?
Hopefully! Job hunting is daunting no matter what, but I feel better equipped now compared to when I got my BFA. I’m gaining more confidence in my skills as a designer.
