As the digital world grows, so does its opportunities. While we generally feel the convenience of having a digital option such as working remotely or doing video conference calls, this has a much bigger effect on people with disabilities. Imagine the opportunities of working remotely if you're in a wheelchair or being able to communicate digitally if you're deaf or mute. The digital world has created a huge pool for people of disabilities to work in without worrying.
Speaking of which, we have a very special interview today. This is with someone we work very closely with, our very own web designer, Marvin Velasco. We'll get to know just who he is, how he got here and get inspired by his journey.
marvin eoi digital
Can you tell us a little more about yourself and what you do?
My name is Marvin Velasco. I live in Muntinlupa City. I have been working as a Digital Imaging and UI/UX Designer for 3 years now and I am currently employed at EOI Digital, I am working on web projects such as designing dashboard, landing pages, e-commerce pages and the like .
How did you lose your hearing and what was it like growing up?
I am profoundly deaf due to an illness I had when I was a baby. I grew up quiet and not speaking. In pre-school, I was the only deaf person and my cousin in a regular school with no idea on how to speak and hear since few month. I was then transferred to the Philippines School for the Deaf, and that's where I started to learn sign language.
In college, I studied and graduated from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Bachelor of Applied Deaf Studies and specialized in Computer Graphic Arts and Technology.
Do you think your disability helped you towards being creative in what you do today?
Ever since I was a kid, I already loved art as a way of self-expression and that has just evolved into what I do now. With digital imaging, I developed in-store designs, final artworks, retouching image and printing. I've created branding, poster and more design advertising for companies. These range from large and popular ones like Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich and other small clients both internationally and locally.
UI stands for User Interface, brings concepts from visual designs. I am more inclined towards UI design. If you'd like to see some of my works, visit my page Behance.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
Aside from my everyday work, I love playing video games, watching movies with subtitles, taking photos and videos when traveling with deaf travel group. If you're interested in seeing my travel photos, visit on instagram @vinlasco.
What message do you have for others with a disability?
I'd like to tell everyone that you shouldn't allow others to tell you you can’t do something just because you’re a deaf. There are worlds, you can do anything except 'hearing' ;).
Posted from the EOI Digital Transformation and Marketing blog : https://agency.eoi.digital/eoi-digital/meet-marvin-the-creativity-of-a-hearing-impaired-individual/