This week, Allan Manzano and Ron Padua of Dynamo Design Group (DDG) teach us about Human-Centered Design. DDG’s approach to branding and design is human-first, meaning they take the time to understand the story of the person or people behind the business or brand before they begin to design and implement. Ron and Allan share how DDG came to be, what they value as a group, and how they work with their community. DDG was formed about a year ago, around the same time I started this podcast, and so you’ll hear both of us talk about our journeys and how we stay grounded as we build.

Guest Bios

Allan Manzano

Allan Manzano has a 20-year-plus career expanding to household brands such as Sony, Bekin, Roxy, and Gap. He served as an art and creative director for design agencies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. He was born and raised in San Diego and received an undergraduate degree at San Diego State University in 2001 and earned his MFA at the Academy of Art University.

Being home has allowed him to share his knowledge with local educational programs. Allan lends his time to non-profit organizations as a teaching artist at A Reason to Survive, otherwise known as ARTS. He recently served as the Director of Education for the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA in San Diego.

Alan is currently a professor at Arizona State University and teaches design communication. In 2022, Alan founded Dynamo Design Group, DDG, a minority owned and inner city creative agency that creates to motivate positive vibes in people and peak performances in businesses.

Ron Padua

Ron Padu is a Partner at Dynamo Design Group. Ron is a professional illustrator and concept designer here in San Diego. He studied graphic design at San Diego City College and Illustration at Entertainment Design Art Center Los Angeles. His creative career took off at the Los Angeles-based broadcast company, TZLA, where he created network IDs, brands, and on-air promos.

Clients included the Sci-Fi Channel, Discovery Channel, HBO, ABC, FX Channel, and Hollywood Squares. Shortly after the company closed its doors, Ron decided to test the freelance market, which landed clientele such as The Aspect Ratio, J Walter Thompson, Blind Visual Propaganda, New Wave Entertainment, and Starbucks Coffee Corp.

He then began working at Sony PlayStations San Diego, where he was a lead concept artist for Sony's visual art service group. He eventually became art director developing cinematics for PlayStation video games.

Featured in this episode

Featured candle: Beeswax candle from Mithras Candle

Featured deck: Radiant Crystal Cards by Bouchette Design

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