If you were to ask any designer what constitutes good design, they would likely explain that it focuses on functionality and that effective design invariably creates a positive first impression on people.
In the competitive and fast-changing landscape of design, London-based Diwa.Dezeñyo is setting out to blaze a path on its own. A multidisciplinary design agency, Diwa.Dezeñyo speaks its language—one deeply connected to its founders’ roots: Filipinos exposed to diverse cultures worldwide.
With broad perspectives on design, Diwa.Dezeñyo’s philosophy is all about vernacular and emotional, human-centered design.
“We believe meaningful creations must resonate deeply with people,” says founder F. Marco Sebastian Padayao. “Storytelling is at the heart of our approach, allowing us to create products and experiences with cultural significance and personal connections. At the same time, we integrate emotional design to create a strong connection between the users and the products, ensuring that our work is not merely viewed or utilized but genuinely experienced.”
F Marco Padayao
At 23 years old, Padayao believes in prioritizing users’ needs and asserts that design must address those needs by being functional, intuitive, and enriching. Through this philosophy, Diwa.Dezeñyo seeks to create innovative and profound personal designs that reflect the unique stories and identities of those who interact with them.
Collaboration with Filipino Artists
As part of their opening salvo, Diwa.Dezeñyo will unveil three stool designs that many will appreciate as functional art. By engaging 16 Filipino artists to craft individual styles for the stools, Diwa.Dezeñyo is set to transform how people perceive and appreciate good design.
Each stool design draws inspiration from distinct sources, creating meaningful and compelling stories.
The Diwa.Casa is influenced by Casa Batlló in Spain and incorporates the structure’s signature curvatures, reflecting the organic and fluid forms of Gaudí’s architecture.
Simultaneously, the delicate form of a butterfly inspires La.Mariposa, aiming to translate its body into a functional piece of furniture that enables artists to express various shapes and patterns of the wings through their paintings—celebrating natural diversity.
Lastly, the Hugis ng Diwa adopts a bold yet minimalist approach, providing an abstract interpretation of a traditional stool that blends unique shapes with contemporary aesthetics.
“We aim to foster collaboration that emphasizes unique craftsmanship, providing both the artists and me, as a designer, with a platform to express our creative visions. This connection inspires us to return and integrate our design ethos into our work while honoring our heritage,” Padayao says.
The stools will be launched on June 7, 2025 (Saturday at 2 PM) at Space Encounters in Ortigas City, Philippines.
Looking Ahead
Diwa.Dezeñyo was born from a shared passion for design and the partnership built over years of collaboration between F. Marco Sebastian Padayao and Luigi Bauzon. This collective of designers, Diwa.Dezeñyo, specializes in providing services related to industrial design, furniture packaging, graphic branding, and UX/UI.
“Luigi and I worked together during our senior years at Coventry University in the UK, where we discovered how well our ideas and design philosophies complemented each other,” Padayao says. “Our united vision and commitment resulted in successful projects, which led us to realize that we could create something even more significant.”
While they are busy managing projects with clients from their office in London, Padayao states that they intend to establish a dedicated space in Metro Manila and eventually have their own manufacturing facility to produce Diwa.Dezeñyo’s designs—ensuring the highest standards by using locally sourced materials and employing skilled artisans.
“We aspire to build a reputation as a multidisciplinary design agency that delivers bespoke solutions to our clients while presenting a range of products that may one day cultivate meaningful connections with users through storytelling and creativity,” he adds. “What sets us apart, as I trust our clients and end users will recognize, is our approach. We uphold transparency in every creation and strive to be relatable. This enables our audience to comprehend and appreciate the sources of our inspiration and the ideas we cultivate.”
The official media partner for “Take A Seat” is WhenInManila.com.
Featured Artists for the Launch
Sigwada Knicolai – A pop-surrealist artist and curator known for The Wooden Astronaut, her work explores mental health, creating whimsical, safe spaces for reflection and connection.
Joshua Barrera – Uses ink and techniques inspired by pointillism, nihonga, and ethnic patterns. His work merges folklore with contemporary expression.
Summer de Guia – Known for animating food and objects with faces, de Guia explores anthropomorphism and nostalgia through glossy, playful imagery.
Gemart Ortega – Draws from anime and childhood toys to create childlike figures and alien creatures, blending personal narratives with fantasy.
Jesse Camacho – Pop-surrealist artist inspired by fairy tales, creatures, and moody colors. His work aims to evoke emotion and transport viewers.
Valerie Teng – Corporate creative turned artist, inspired by Maneki Neko. Her main character, Lucky Meow, beckons prosperity with charm.
Andre Baldovino – Explores abstraction and heritage, documenting the tension between nature and technology in his evolving work.
Carla Gamalinda – Reflects on identity and personal development. A 2021 Ateneo Art Awards winner, her work is deeply tied to Manila’s urban energy.
Demetrio Dela Cruz – Multidisciplinary artist blending advertising and fine arts. Works in mixed media and digital formats with evolving styles.
Humbly (Bryan Reynald Antonio) – Toy maker and self-taught artist who creates nostalgic characters inspired by 90s pop culture and childhood imagination.
Remster – Bulacan-based neo-surrealist exploring themes of spirituality and fictional realms with imaginative, lowbrow art.
JOLY BEART! (Brike Franco) – Pop-expressionist with a balloon-masked bone-head character representing emotional duality and everyday stories.
Pat “Rabby” Aguas – Artist behind the strong, resilient furry character Rabby, challenging traditional perceptions of cuteness in character design.
Julia Borja – Cebu-based painter focused on human figures and emotions, balancing spontaneity with composition in her deeply personal art.
Jheane Borja – Also based in Cebu, Jheane’s work bridges form exploration and cohesive narratives, often exhibited alongside her sister Julia.
mimaaaaaaaaw – Known for murals and whimsical cat art with vibrant quotes. Her work reflects personal journeys, positivity, and resilience, shown in galleries locally and abroad.
