The team here at Column Five is made up of some very special people. They come from all walks of life. They’re creative, and they work very hard. They’re also very interesting. One staff member a week will be profiled on our blog, from our oldest project manager to our newest designer, to introduce the people behind the infographics.
Luis Liwag
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Senior Designer
Started October 4, 2010
In 144 characters or less, tell us about yourself.
I’m a simple dude who’s very passionate about design, loves the game of basketball, sneakers, the Lakers, and green tea Kit Kats.
What's currently on your work playlist?
Right now I’m listening to Mick Boogie & Jazzy Jeff Summer Jam Mixtape, Frank Ocean, and Kendrick Lamar. I like it because of the selection of contemporary jams, ’90s and early 2000s, throwbacks, and classic soul. It sounds good and feels good: music just like summer.
What is your favorite thing to eat and your favorite thing to drink?
My pop’s homemade chicken and pork adobo with rice is always a favorite, green tea Kit Kats for dessert. To drink, I like some Trader Joe’s pomegranate white tea, Chimay beer, or some Jack Daniel’s.
What subject could you give a lecture on?
“How To Keep Your Sneakers on Mint 101″
When I was young, I would save money every year for Christmas and hit up my uncle in the U.S. I would send him my money to buy myself some nice sneakers.
I love their design, and how they made me believe that they would make me a better player if I wore what my idols were wearing, even though it’s not actually true. My first pair were the Kevin Johnson Converse in 1994. (I couldn’t afford Jordans back then.)
When stores started releasing the Jordan retros (the remake of the shoes from the ’80s and early ’90s) during the early 2000s, I started buying them because they’re the ones that I couldn’t afford when I was a kid. Every pair that I picked up reminded me of a part of my childhood.
Now I have a couple of pairs. I stopped counting after 40. I’ve kind of mellowed out now, because it’s been a couple of months since I bought a pair that I actually like.
What's the coolest thing you've seen, done, or experienced?
Back in the motherland when I was young, my pops would take me to my grandparents’ house for the entire summer. My grandpa lived a simple life as a farmer; I remember he would take me to the rice fields that he farmed and, after he finished working, we would rest under a tree, relax, and just enjoy the nice breeze while overlooking the entire rice field. Thinking about it makes me smile every time.
We asked Luis to feature some of his favorite projects that he’s worked on:
GOOD—What is the Easiest Way to Power a Lightbulb?
He also sent some photos:
Visiting San Francisco:
Part of Luis’ Shoe Rotation:
The View Back Home:
Haha nice — some Monday night hoops love
I had those KJ’s too!
This is a great way to personalize your blog. I loved meeting Louis and getting a look at his work with his shoe fetish et. al. I would like to give Louis the assignment to redesign your email block paragraph which is a turn-off. (Everybody wants to be an art director.)