The Making of the Ilokano Sticker

In 2017, my parents went back to the Philippines together for no other reason than to visit home on a real vacation for the first time since they both left the Philippines in 1976. They're both hella Ilokano, and that inspired me to make this sticker, which is directly influenced by the sign painting typography of the Philippines, particularly this boat in Ilocos Norte that my Pops had too much fun on.

Mom & Pops' trip to Ilocoes Norte, February 2017

Philippine typography and sign painting has always piqued my interest and after looking at photos of their trip with them, I spent some time taking a closer look at the beautiful type of our homeland. At first it was just a fun design exercise, but enough interest from fellow Ilokano-Americans prompted me to happily turn them into stickers. So here we are.

Me sign painting in the Philippines, July 2011