Icon Manila 2024: Elevating professional excellence in animation and visual arts

Icon Manila 2024 is poised to be an extraordinary event celebrating creativity and professional development in the animation and visual arts industries. Founded by Armand and Bing Serrano, Icon Manila not only honors artistic innovation but also supports vital humanitarian initiatives, including anti-human trafficking efforts.

Event Details:

• Dates: September 20th – 21st, 2024
• Location: Samsung Hall, SM Aura, Taguig City

Icon Manila 2024 features an exceptional lineup of industry leaders:

Gastón Ugarte – Sets Modeling Supervisor and Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios. Originally from Tucumán, Argentina, Ugarte began his career in architecture before transitioning to animation. With a BFA in Computer Animation, his career spans from New York City’s commercial sector to Sony Imageworks and ultimately Pixar. Over a decade at Pixar, Ugarte has contributed to beloved films like “Wall-E,” “Up,” “Brave,” “Coco,” and “Inside Out 2,” infusing his Argentine heritage into his intricate, dynamic worlds.

James Paick – Renowned concept artist and creative director based in Los Angeles, Paick has over 15 years of experience in films, video games, and animation through his studio, Scribble Pad Studios. As co-founder of Brainstorm School, he is dedicated to advancing the fields of concept art and illustration.

Jama Jurabaev – Influential concept artist and illustrator known for his work on blockbuster titles such as “Star Wars” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Jurabaev’s insights will provide a global perspective on the industry.

Shannon Hallstein – A rising star in visual development and character design, Hallstein has collaborated with renowned studios like Walt Disney Animation and DreamWorks, showcasing the emerging generation of artistic excellence. She is working as a character designer at Skydance Animation. 

Armand Serrano – Celebrated visual development artist, art director, and production designer. He just completed his stint as the Production Designer for the upcoming biblical animated feature “Jesus.”  He is currently at Skydance Animation working in early development of the studio’s future animated films.   

Serrano’s expertise in production design and art direction will offer invaluable insights to Icon Manila’s audience. 

In collaboration with the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Icon Manila 2024 aims to unite professionals and enthusiasts from animation, film, games, illustration, and visual effects.

For more information and inquiries, please visit the Icon Manila website or contact the secretariat at [email protected].

Join them at Icon Manila 2024 to elevate creative standards and foster collaboration and innovation within the dynamic fields of animation and visual arts.

This article is brought to you by Icon Manila 2024.