Dionne Pajarillaga
Graphic designer Dionne Pajarillaga on the freedom of going freelance
Graphic designer Dionne Pajarillaga’s creative journey started as a kid, doing ‘proper daft things’ like designing her hamster emo hair. Fast forward a decade, and she’s pivoted between freelance and full-time roles at Office of Craig, Woo by ITV and Manchester United, figuring out the style of work that suits her creative practice best. Since going freelance (again), she’s created collages for Refinery 29 and designed an LP. Below she talks finding inspiration in Filipino design and the wisdom of that “ I think you might be thinking too much about yourself” meme.
What I do
My creative practice
I work as a freelance graphic designer and occasionally as an illustrator. When I’m lucky, I get projects where I can bring both disciplines together.
Influences and inspiration
Hardworking Goodlooking, a Filipino design and publishing collective, has been a huge inspiration for me. Collaborating with independent, small-scale printers in the Philippines, they make publications exploring localised design systems, Filipino vernacular design, street typography and tropical aesthetics. I’m drawn to their exploration of Filipino design on its own terms, especially given how difficult it can be to find local references and histories outside of Western design narratives. A particular highlight was this lecture they gave.
My training
From age eight, I was religiously learning software like Photoshop and Sony Vegas from pirated copies my older sister downloaded onto our family computer. I’d create things around whatever I was into at the time; proper daft things like giving my hamster emo hair or creating Naruto GIFs. I think it probably laid the foundation for a lot of my technical design knowledge and curiosity. Formally, I studied BA Graphic Design at Manchester Metropolitan University.
“From age eight, I was religiously learning software like Photoshop and Sony Vegas from pirated copies my older sister downloaded onto our family computer.”
Favourite recent project
I got to work on an album cover for a friend, due to come out later this year, which has been an absolute dream. His music sits somewhere between ambient and minimal techno, so it was a fun challenge translating that feeling into a visual identity. The artwork was based on photographs he took hiking in the Lake District, which I manipulated and reworked to create something dreamlike and atmospheric.
A day in the life
Brew first thing in the morning, then I take my dogs out for a walk. After that, if I've got a project on, I'll get stuck into that with an episode of Sex and the City playing in the background. Some days are spent sorting out admin and catching up on emails; other days I refuse to look at my laptop.
How I got here
Starting my creative journey
I did an internship at Aitor Throup Studio during my final year of university. When that finished, I didn’t want to move back to my hometown, so I had to figure things out quickly. I started sharing my work more regularly on Instagram and reaching out to studios, and luckily, I began getting approached for freelance work.
Alongside my first freelance jobs, I started an internship at Office of Craig, a design studio in Manchester, which turned into a full-time role. It was a huge learning experience and probably where I grew the most as a designer, developing my skills while working across a really diverse range of projects.
Landing my first few jobs, clients and/or commissions
A lot of the work I do now has come through a mix of word of mouth, sharing my work online and reaching out to people directly. Refinery29 reached out to me after seeing some experimental type I’d shared on Instagram, and I ended up working with them for a couple of years. I’ve also had various brands find my work and commission me through Pinterest thanks to whoever saved it on there! A lot of these opportunities came from simply sharing things I was making without expecting anything to come from it.
Biggest challenges along the way
Realising what kind of working environment suited me best. I worked full-time at Woo by ITV and Manchester United, and found that the structure and pace of those roles didn’t always suit the way I like to work creatively; I missed the freedom and independence that came with being freelance. I moved between different roles early on – going through that process helped me understand how I work best.
My social media and self-promotion vibe is…
I try to share my work when I can, as it’s led to people reaching out with unexpected opportunities.
Three things I've found useful in my career:
My greatest learnings when it comes to making money and supporting myself as a creative:
Not every project is going to be the one that ends up in your portfolio, and sometimes you have to take on work that isn’t as pretty or creatively exciting. Sometimes you take on things because they pay the bills, sometimes you go back to hospitality, sometimes you say yes to something completely random. There’s no shame in doing whatever keeps you afloat.
“Not every project is going to be the one that ends up in your portfolio, and sometimes you have to take on work that isn’t as pretty or creatively exciting.”
My advice
My most useful career tips
In any moment of insecurity, imposter syndrome or self-doubt, I come back to this. It’s a good reminder to get out of your own head.
What I'd say to someone looking to get into a similar role
Learn and keep making things, even when nobody’s paying you to. Read books and watch films, go down weird internet rabbit holes, collect niche references that you’re into. Find work that you connect with and figure out why it resonates with you. All of those little interests and obsessions eventually become part of who you are creatively. Your personality is your biggest asset.