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Jeff Werner

I'm a designer in Vancouver, Canada. I work at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, am a director of the 221A Artist Run Centre, and a member of Fieldwork design collective. I'm an Emily Carr and University of Victoria graduate and have worked in the Philippines, Indonesia and the Netherlands. I'm a cycling advocate and race on the Garneau Evolution team.

design philippines School Travel Work, July 6, 2007 12:01 AM 1 comments

Philippines General Design Observations B

Part two of two of a collection of general considerations from a design internship in the Philippines.

Rubbing alcohol and ketchup bottles
We know packaging can speak to contents, but how do these conventions shift from culture to culture? Generally utilitarian isopropyl alcohol in more 'designer' green, contoured bottles; jumbo 'banana catsup' bottles.


Blue propane gas tanks
If you could only change one aspect of an existing design (colour, size, shape, texture, etc.) what would it be, why, and how much would that change people's perception of it. Ubiquitous blue 'gasul' propane tanks, Manila.


Kite string wound around a plastic bottle

Boy with his homemade kite out of a plastic bag and twigs
Simple resourcefulness in the pursuit of fun. San Juan beach, La Union.


A black pig
Most households keep a pig in the yard, often kept for (un)expected) ceremonial offerings such as harvests, weddings, construction, etc. A black pig is considered a more fitting offering than a white one, however, sometimes a white pig can be painted black should the need arise.


A stool made of a steering wheel and wood
More than just practical?


Rice terraces
From monumental to minuscule design, how aware are designers of the way their work is perceived and will be perceived? How much can this be anticipated and how much is left for time to tell? Millennium-old rice terraces en route to Sagada, Mountain province.

1 comments on Philippines General Design Observations B

1. Christina Gaston | April 2, 2009 12:16 AM

Thank You for doing this research! I am trying to understand design in the Philippines myself and would appreciate any links/ studies you could recommend.

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