AJ Dimarucot talks about creativity in practice at the Likha: Creative Entrepreneurship Summit
AJ Dimarucot is a self-taught graphic designer, art director, and illustrator. He has worked on experiential, digital, web and mobile, and integrated campaigns for brands all over the world. Of course, these brands include Nike, Jordan Brand, Adidas, to a multitude of smaller independent brands.
AJ Dimarucot talks about creativity in practice at the Likha: Creative Entrepreneurship Summit
Recently, AJ Dimarucot went to Likha: Creative Entrepreneurship Summit to talk about creativity in practice. He talked about developing your creative practice to thrive in the industry.
“Creativity is a muscle that we need to practice.”
AJ Dimarucot’s creativity started at home. He shared a story of the creativity that happens in his home – with his mother, with his wife, with his children. He detailed his life story and the things he learned throughout the years.
“Creativity begins with curiosity.”
Dimarucot described creativity as many things. It’s learning new things and leaving your comfort zone. It’s creating and combining ideas. AJ even shared the story of how he started off his business, Manila de Acapulco or also known as Madeca. There, he expressed his creativity by combining food cultures in the cities of Manila and Mexico.
“Creativity is play.”
Dimarucot started off designing t-shirts. Then, he continued to design so many things. At the time, he was learning how to use calligraphy in his designs. AJ was contacted by a writer who liked his work. Together, they worked on Cyrus Copeland’s true crime autobiography, Off The Radar.
“Creativity is resourcefulness.”
Working for known brands meant that Dimarucot had to remain innovative. So, when Nike contacted him for a project with Cristiano Ronaldo. AJ used his resourcefulness and created artwork using soccer balls to display the soccer legend himself.
“Creativity is not fearing rejection or failure.”
Working freelance meant you have to face rejection or failure. When one door closes, a window will surely open. And, that’s what exactly happened to AJ Dimarucot. So, whether you get rejected or you failed, it will lead to something even greater.
AJ Dimarucot is only one of the five speakers that spoke during the Likha: Creative Entrepreneurship Summit. Other speakers included Kia Abrera, Lyqa Maravilla, Prim Paypon, and the one and only Chris Do. The summit aimed to help out freelancers, agencies, and Filipino creatives. This happened last weekend from September 17 to 18, 2022. It also brought Filipino creative talents to a global scale and pursued community-driven growth and impact as one.
