“If upon hearing this graphic design duo’s name you envision a series of smile-inducing fanciful works of art replete with childlike wonder and memories of halcyon days spent in the embrace of the Philippine sun, then you would have captured the essence of Happy Garaje”

BluPrint Magazine on Johanna & Mark

About Happy Garaje
(the Art Duo)

Happy Garaje is a duo: Johanna Velasco and Mark Joseph Deutsch. They are artists, designers, and storytellers and have been working in partnership since 2009. Their creative work can be seen across the fields of graphic design, illustration, gallery work, production design and picture books.

They co-founded Happy Garaje Design Studio Co., a Cebu City based collective of artists and designers that create objects, spaces, and experiences where people can have the opportunity to share stories and make friends.

Happy Garaje is inspired by everyday people, heroes, monsters, hopes, dreams, and the in-between places where things are not quite what they seem.

Accolades

Communication Arts, Award of Excellence for Illustration

Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles – Gold Award (2011)

Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles – Certificate of Merit (2010, 2013, 2014)

Luerzer’s Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Bluprint Magazine: 20 Outstanding Young Filipino Designers Under 40

ASEAN: commendation for contributions in Graphic Art when Cebu City received the distinction of ‘City of Culture’

Semi Permanent Book 2010

Exhibition of Poster Work at Tokyo Designers Week 2008

Merit of Excellence for Digital Design – Dept. of Science & Tech (Phil.)

Adobe Digital Imaging Competition (3rd of 3000+)

Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, Finalist (Judged by Neil Gaiman)

Place of Birth
by Marla Darwin