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Nadine Macapagal

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Art History
  • Art
  • Communications
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Linguistics
  • Advertising
  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Writing

Reading

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

View my work: nadine.website Hi! My name is Nadine Macapagal. I’m a designer and researcher from Daly City, a first-generation Filipino American now pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, with a concentration in Computation, Technology, and Culture (because naming things is part of the work). Growing up near San Francisco, I found few resources for young artists in my school district and community. My love for art developed in spite of those limits, shaped by my heritage and my time split between the Bay Area and the Philippines. That search for belonging led me to Problem Library, a San Francisco arts and education nonprofit, where I continue to support emerging artists and build unconventional forms of education. My practice lives between archives, code, and the quiet debris of the internet. I think often about what gets preserved, what gets lost, and who gets to decide. In my work, I explore language, identity, and systems, always with the goal of creating “third spaces” outside of home or work where creativity and community can thrive. I love new projects, especially the ones that begin with a question.

Education

Rhode Island School of Design

Bachelor's degree program

2022 – 2026

Majors:
  • Graphic Communications
Minors:
  • Computer Science

El Camino High

High School

2018 – 2022

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Designed site pages, UI/UX flows, stage visuals, and merch/promos for Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball tour with Yung Studio. Streamlined cross-team comms, upheld specs, and delivered consistent assets across web, stage, and print.

    Graphic Design · Yung Studio/Lady Gaga

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Responsible for social media curation. Collaborating and brainstorming to finalize editorial and design direction. Website design projects and experimental print publishing efforts. Develop introductory coding initiatives and create public outreach.

    Graphic Design · volume.1

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • Collaborated on RISD Commencement 2025 branding and RISD Yearbook 2025, delivering design solutions in motion, print, and web.

    Graphic Design · RISD Design Guild

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • EQ Office in partnership with North Park Development commission of a custom illustration window graphic at 635 Davis St, San Francisco. Coordinated with EQ Offices, Problem Library, and vinyl manufacturer to produce public art installation.

    Graphic Design · EQ Offices and Northpark

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

  • Under the supervision of the Director and/or the Library Assistant on duty during working hours. Performed various duties as assigned for the operation of the library and assisting where needed. Headlined new air filter project for distribution.

    Libraries · South San Francisco Public Library

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2020

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Graphic Design
Dream career goals:
I want to use what I’ve learned in graphic design to give younger artists the kind of support I once was looking for. My work has always been tied to community, because I know what it feels like not to have one. Through arts nonprofits and community projects, I hope to create spaces where young people can see their creativity as valid and necessary. My goal isn’t just to teach design skills, but to build networks of encouragement and resources that help everyone feel less alone in their paths. For me, bridging art and community means making sure the next generation of artists can grow with both confidence and support, knowing they belong in the worlds they dream of creating.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
My journey as a creative person has been anything but linear– beginning with the first time my crayon touched paper and ending with the thrill of getting accepted to RISD after being turned down for even attending access to art classes in high school. My path as an artist has been full of twists and turns, mirroring the important, yet, diverse non-linear nature of my heritage. "Ng hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda / He who does not love his mother tongue is worse than a rotten fish" is my installation piece that stands as a testament to both my journey and my ancestors' journey. Using clay, I molded and wrote the artwork's title in Baybayin, the indigenous alphabet that was once used in the Philippines. Molding this phrase – describing that someone who doesn’t love their native language, is worse than anything as filthy as rotten fish – is to resurrect the now, completely forgotten art of Baybayin, and as a platform to reestablish my own cultural heritage. The preservation of Filipino cultural history and identity can be aided by acknowledging Baybayin, representing the centuries of indigenous knowledge, practices, and histories that were wiped out during colonization. Growing up in San Francisco, my upbringing tended to overlook the significance of Filipino expression, as my immigrant parents prioritized giving me a new life in America. This absence sparked my determination to bridge cultural gaps through creative expression. My artwork serves as a platform for educating others about Filipino history and culture and reflects my own experience of cultural rediscovery. As a first-generation student, I've embarked on a journey of archival exploration. My goal is to educate and empower communities, fostering a deepened understanding and pride in their heritage. My artistic perspective is based on the idea that art can be used to educate people and effect social change. I wish to help and inspire people who, like me, previously felt lost and unsure of their place in the creative world by sharing my experiences and the cultural diversity ingrained in my work. Through a dialogue between the past and present, my art aims to promote pride in and understanding of Filipino ancestry. In the future, I hope to keep telling tales that uplift and bring people together, making sure that every voice is heard in the core of cultural diversity.
Chris Struthers Memorial Scholarship
Growing up in Daly City, California, a vibrant community just south of San Francisco, and in the provinces of the Philippines, I witnessed firsthand the power of art in bringing people together and fostering a sense of belonging. As a first-generation student and a daughter of immigrants, two communities that lack the same emphasis for further education for the arts, I realized that I must drive myself to bridge the gap between the art and community realms through graphic design, creating spaces where cultural vibrancy and shared wisdom can flourish.My journey in pursuing a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, at the Rhode Island School of Design, has been shaped by my deep sense of purpose and commitment to use my skills to serve and give back to the communities I belong to. My passion for community engagement and graphic design was realized when I was asked to work with Problem Library, a nonprofit focused on arts and education based in San Francisco. I was honored to contribute to the identity for their Too Much Information (TMI) event series. TMI was established with the understanding that intergenerational relationships play a crucial role in enhancing personal growth, cultural vibrancy, and the exchange of knowledge. Through this initiative, we aimed to create physical spaces where people of different generations could come together, share their stories, and build meaningful relationships surrounding art and design. Working on the TMI project was an incredibly rewarding experience. I collaborated with community members to design materials that resonated with the diverse audience we aimed to reach. This involved not only creating visually appealing graphics but also ensuring that the designs were inclusive and reflective of the community’s cultural heritage. One of the key challenges was to develop a visual identity that could convey the essence of TMI’s mission—nurturing connections based on shared visions and aspirations for individual growth and cultural flourishing. The community's response was very positive. It was encouraging to see how graphic design can act as a link between individuals from many generations and backgrounds, encouraging communication and a sense of community. My faith in the transforming potential of art and design in fostering communal development was strengthened by this encounter. I'm determined to learn further about the relationship between graphic design and community involvement as I pursue my education at the Rhode Island School of Design. The purpose of design is to improve people's lives in addition to producing stunning images, and my objective is to use my expertise to projects that enhance social justice, cultural sensitivity, and community empowerment. Receiving this scholarship would greatly support my educational journey and enable me to continue my work at the intersection of art and community. It would provide me with the resources to help further develop my skills, engage in meaningful projects, and contribute to initiatives that foster cultural vibrancy and social cohesion. As a first-generation student and the daughter of immigrants, I am driven by a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the communities that have shaped my identity and aspirations. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and for the chance to share my story and vision.
Nadine Macapagal Student Profile | Bold.org