TITLE: Tropika

Design composition of abstract forms in black and white with emphasis on natural textures, rhythm, and patterns while utilizing tropical sunlight as light source. Illustrated in five-image design series, all photographs were taken and conceptualized from the details of various Philippine tropical leaves as erected in its natural state - found in different gardens located at different national/historical sites in the country. Tropika also serves as the photographer's homage to the natural objects for providing source of design inspirations to many of his works and studies, not only as fine art photographer but as product/graphic designer as well.

AUTHOR: Rommel Lugada (Philippines)

Filipino Industrial Designer / Fine Art Photographer (non-pro). Product Design and Development Consultant and a Senior Lecturer (part-time) at the School of Design and Arts, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. BFA Industrial Design, University of Santo Tomas - Design Center of the Philippines Scholarship Award. Former Industrial Design Specialist, Design Center of the Philippines. With extensive years of experience in product design and development working with different manufacturers and multinational design stores in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Philippines and Asia.

Merit: Gold winner in International Design Awards USA (2019). 1st Place Winner in International Photography Awards USA 2017 (Micro/Non-Pro). "Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2017 and 2018" and "Advertising Photographer of the Year 2018" with multiple-gold in International Photography Awards - Philippines in 2017 and 2018 (Non-Pro). Communication Arts Magazine Winner, 61st Photography Annual (2020). Bronze winner in Fine Art Portfolio in Moscow International Foto Awards and Tokyo International Foto Awards. 3rd Place Winner - Honor of Distinction in Still Life, 14th Black and White Spider Awards. Honorable mention winner in DNA Paris Design Awards 2019 (Graphic Design - Professional), C2A Creative Communication Award (USA), London International Creative Competition, PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris, Budapest International Foto Awards, International Color Awards, Minimalist Photography Awards, MonoVisions Photography Awards (Single and Series), and Nominee for the 4th and 5th Fine Art Photography Awards, London. Awardee, "Award of Excellence", in Black and White and in Yellow Theme Category featured in Nikon Philippines 100th Anniversary celebration and exhibition, 2017.