Hi, I'm Nico Ng.
I am a multi-disciplinary designer, educator and creative entrepreneur based in Manila.
My Story: Engineering + Art
How I started my creative journey is far from the typical artist’s journey. One would think that artists are born, not made. That wasn’t the case for me.
Growing up, I never thought that art could be more than just a pastime. It wasn’t until I was in college taking up engineering, that I was intrigued by the possibilities that can be achieved by combining the structured discipline of engineering and the creative freedom of art. I had an epiphany when it dawned on me that I could make it into a fulfilling career.
Soon, I found myself taking a leap of faith into the creative world and never looked back.
From $6 to $1,000 Projects
Imagine being a 22-year old artist, just starting out, competing in a field with so many talented others with years of experience behind them.
I was getting crumbs (not that I ever complained)— charging $30 for logos and a measly $6 for posters. But hey, I had no portfolio or experience to back me up, so I was already happy just to have paying clients.
‘How will I stand out?’, I thought. Well, what seemingly was my weakness became my strength. My background in engineering allowed me to create good, solution-based designs that balance visual aesthetics and function, which clients appreciated and found value in.
It wasn’t long before I was rewarded with my very first thousand dollar project!
Then I Discovered My Niche
Who would have thought that those hours of doodling would lead to a fulfilling career in lettering. Not me.
I never thought I’d make something out of it, because I wasn’t particularly good. Fortunately, I realized early enough that I had to hone my craft by investing in myself to improve my skills.
All the hard work and effort I put into lettering became worth it. Doors started to open for me. I expanded my graphic design skills, and I finally saw where I can take my lettering and where it can take me.
Experience is A Brutal Teacher
Reflecting back, if I could do it all over again, I would have sought mentorship earlier.
I was stubborn and insisted on figuring things out all on my own. Sure, I eventually learned how to create quality content, but it took a lot of mistakes and lost opportunities. Mistakes that could have made me waiver in my self-belief. And as a creative, if there’s one thing you can’t have, it’s self-doubt.
That’s why I decided to start teaching. I want to help out young artists navigate the field and teach them the ins and outs of lettering so they can avoid the costs and frustrations of figuring out everything on their own— to avoid making the same mistakes as I did and to help them enjoy the ride and make the journey to creative success easier.
This creative journey has really taught me a lot of things. I never imagined that I would someday be creating products, conducting workshops, and collaborating with esteemed brands outside my home country.
Those are just some possibilities where refining your craft can take you. Let me help you in your journey!
