Raffy B. Illustration Portfolio

An Illustration Portfolio by Raffy Borromeo

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Today is a new day June illustration

"Today is a New Day" is an engaging interactive calendar that features a distinct theme and daily activity every month.

For my June prompt, I was tasked with creating an "I Spy" activity and was granted full creative control over the month's theme. After research and studies, I decided to center the theme around freedom and celebration. While each item to be found subtly alludes to various holidays observed in the Philippines, the overarching goal is to evoke a sense of liberation, embodied by the joyful girl leaping from the frame.

You can still purchase the calendar here!

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Forests in the Anthropocene book illustration

Forests in the Anthropocene is a book and project by Forest Foundation Philippines, which examines the complex relationship between humans and forests in the Philippines. The book features case studies that explore the impact of human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and industrialization on the country's tropical forests. The goal of the book is to inspire action towards protecting and conserving forests by sharing lessons from the past and present. 

The studio chose to visually represent the book's message by using tree rings as the creative direction, symbolizing the climate conditions of the past. The cover was designed to emphasize humankind's imprint on the natural world, with tree rings sprouting from the reader's thumb when held.

Each case study includes an illustrated abstract that features different pieces of the forest management puzzle, such as indigenous peoples, scientists, forest guards, regular citizens, and even endemic flora and fauna. The textured illustrations were created with a focus on storytelling, making each chapter more tangible to readers.

The website was designed to mimic tree rings, providing summaries of each chapter, as well as a digital version of the book that can be downloaded for free. 

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AI4GOV character designs

A Figma based character generator uniquely designed for the use of AI4GOV’s services.

Developed and put together by Ena Escanan and Mark Steve Samson!

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Future Forest bag illustration

Future Forest is an art-led reforestation project that aims to help the Yangil tribe in Zambales, Philippines sustain their reforestation initiatives. The project is a partnership between MAD Travel, a social enterprise that focuses on social tourism, Works of Heart, a social impact design studio, a group of Manila-based artists, and Gouache, a company that specializes in waxed canvas bags and similar goods. The project goes beyond just fundraising and involves creatives in understanding the dreams of the community. The project hopes to make a small but meaningful contribution to the reforestation project, one that is within their means but also fully aligned with what the community specifically needs.

As one of the partner artists in the project, we were tasked to create art pieces that would raise awareness and support for the reforestation efforts in Yangil Village, Zambales, Philippines. The art pieces were intended to be sold to raise funds for the community's seedling nursery, which would help sustain the reforestation initiatives in the area. We were given creative freedom to explore their own styles and mediums, but the theme of the artwork had to be centered on the environment, specifically on the importance of reforestation and sustainable living. The goal was not only to raise funds, but also to spark conversations and inspire action towards a more livable environment for everyone.

Everyone’s works were amazing, you can learn more about this project here!

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CowCau character design proposal

CowCau is a unique brand that produces clay toys made from natural, edible ingredients, with a vision for a safer environment for all children through their values of safe play, safe design, and safe education. The brand is part of a larger company called Creator's Lab, dedicated to creating a safe space for kids to play and learn.

CowCau's first product, Cowtoy, was created to solve the problem of dangerous household toys, specifically clay toys that can be easily broken into small pieces that children can swallow.

This proposal was created after a full day immersion at their office, where we were blown away by their commitment to safety and their passion for creating fun and engaging products for kids. The character designs were specifically created to be relatable to kids and to help boost brand recall.

Learn more about the full case study here.

Also, visit the brand here!

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Sinag ng Pasko 2019 illustrations

The Sinag ng Pasko (Light of Christmas) is a gathering of socially oriented enterprises with unique and home-grown products in food, fashion, and lifestyle, perfect for gift-giving this Christmas season.

The project concept revolves around highlighting the artistry and cultural significance of the Philippine's parol (Christmas lanterns) in relation to social enterprises that brighten up their communities. The decision to use chalk pastels instead of digital illustrations was driven by a desire to explore new possibilities. We crafted individual elements and seamlessly combined them during post-production. Before committing to this fully, we had to see if this technique would work. We tried a few test illustrations on the back of an illustration board, took photos, and individually cut them out. Because we knew it already was a night scene, having the black background from the illustration board became crucial in ensuring everything tied together. We learned that it could work and the pieces came together well. This gave us the chance to play around with some different looks and compositions!

To add, Isobel Weber and Liz Cabrera were among the talented illustrators who contributed to this project!

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Nasaan na Sina Nanay at Tatay? children’s book illustration

This is a children’s book designed to engage kindergarteners, specifically 5-year old Filipinos from Ilocos and Central Visayas, to introduce the concept of reading, develop appreciation of art, and encourage conversations.

Nasaan na Sina Nanay at Tatay? (Where is mom and dad now?) is about a boy who feels sad and lonely wondering where his parents could be. 

Story by Glenda Darlene Garcia Illustrations by Kristy Borromeo (me) Book Design by Gail Rae Javier

2018 by US Agency for International Development (USAID) Produced by the Department of Education under the USAID Basa Pilipinas Activity

Not for sale, for education purposes only

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Pitaka Ko: Character design and card illustrations

Pitaka Ko is a role-playing game that facilitates financial literacy allowing students to make decisions through the use of paper wallets, play money, journals, and game cards all in one kit for teachers to use in their classroom.

The game features two main characters named Kiko and Haniya. They are illustrated in situations elementary school students in the Philippines usually experience.

View the full case study here!

One of the projects I worked in at Works of Heart design studio. This project won a Good Design award back in 2019!

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Anong Meron sa Bahay Namin children’s book illustration

This is a children’s book designed to engage kindergarteners, specifically 5-year old Filipinos from Ilocos and Central Visayas, to introduce the concept of reading, develop appreciation of art, and encourage conversations.

Anong Meron sa Bahay Namin (What’s around our house?) is about a girl that goes around their farm to find and learn about the different fruits and vegetables they have up until she realizes that she had filled her basket with a lot of variety of crops.

Story by Jovie Marie Mendoza Illustrations by Kristy Borromeo (me) Book Design by Anne Dela Cruz

2018 by US Agency for International Development (USAID) Produced by the Department of Education under the USAID Basa Pilipinas Activity

Not for sale, for education purposes only

An example of how the book is used by teachers :

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HTML & CSS guide book character designs

These character were designed and created for a book about programming and designing websites as a beginner. There are two different character groups, the characters that guide and the characters that represent the book’s audience.

Glen wants to assures readers that HTML (and programming in general) is easy —anyone can learn it.

Cassie wants to share her joy for making things beautiful. She wants all websites to be well-designed.

Sam wants to try out HTML and CSS out of curiosity.

Kenneth wants to develop a new skill that will make him continually relevant.

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Project Paperwork

Editorial illustration for The Secret Sauce Lab

The article talks about the importance of paperworks for creatives. Read the full article here.

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KetoGo PH Brand Identity

KetoGo PH is an online bake shop that delivers snacks, desserts and information to help aid Filipino people with obesity and diabetes transition into a healthier lifestyle with high-quality natural food options. KetoGo PH cares for the health of the Filipino people.

The logo playfully illustrates the brand’s name. Keto = Cookie, Go = a character carrying the snack. It is also then kept clean and minimalist to represent no fuss quality goods.

Visit their Instagram page here!

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Pet Portrait Commissions

A collaboration project with various partners that helped raised cat food for rescue cats. Over 30+ illustrations were made which raised 30+ sacks of 7kg Special Cat food for the residents of @greenhousecatsph

Partners: Pet Warehouse PH, The Dog Spa & Hotel, and some individual clients.

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Wildlife Valentine’s postcards

Postcard design and illustration created to bring spotlight to lesser known but just as wonderful animals for Valentine’s day. 

Animals featured: Rufous-headed hornbill, Philippine crocodile, Green sea turtle, Dugong

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Roxy and Iñigo couple illustration

A custom illustration as part of the couple's wedding celebration. The concept of the illustration is based on the musical Dear Evan Hansen

Photo of postcards from @roxynavarro_

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MKBA (Marin Key Biodiversity Area) Shirt and Billboard

In connection with Haribon, this t-shirt design was created for the community members participating in protecting the marine areas in Surigao del Sur. Members in this area are made up of fishers Bantay Dagat volunteers, and other stakeholders. 

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A New Era for Equality Written by Ross Tugade

Editorial Illustration for Scout Magazine