I'm Nico Zapanta or as many people call me, Zap.
An art-based creative from Manila, Philippines and is now based in NYC.
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Before I was creating storyboards, key visuals, and 360 campaigns, I was a street artist (I still am). This taught me to stand out, fight for the work, and get the message across no matter what.
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My works have won at Cannes, Adfest, Spikes Asia, Clio, Caples London, Epica, Ad Stars, AMES, Lürzer's, ADC, Kidlat Awards, Adobo Design Awards and other shows.
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I’m a person who likes striking visuals and fluent storytelling. ​
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My tools of the trade are pens, paint, and Photoshop.
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Likes visual symmetry but will never try the mirror face filter.
Experience
Omnicom Health Group • VP Art Supervisor • 2023 - Present
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BBDO Guerrero • Associate Creative Director • 2017 - 2022
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Leo Burnett Group Manila • Creative Team Head • 2013 - 2017
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TBWA\ Santiago Mangada Puno • Art Director • 2010 - 2013
School
Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Visual Communication
University of the Philippines - Diliman
2010
Awards +
Recognition
Facebook + Child Rights Network “GiF Learning Library”
2021 The One Show • Shortlist • Innovation In Lockdown
2021 Caples London • Bronze • Digital, Social, Design
Reading Association of the Philippines “Font Books”
2020 Clio Awards • Bronze • Design Craft, Typography
2020 Cresta Awards • Gold • Digital Design, Typography
2020 Cresta Awards • Gold • Craft Campaign
2020 Adstars • Crystal • Interactive Craft
2020 The One Show • Shortlist • Direct Marketing
2020 The One Show Showcase • Art Direction / Illustration / Typography
Philippine Creative Rankings
2019 • 10th Top Art Director
2018 • 7th Top Young Creative
Boysen “This Is A Tree”
2019 Cannes Lions • Bronze • Innovation Lions
2019 Spikes Asia • Bronze • Design
Johnson’s and Johnson’s “Playstreet”
2018 Cannes Lions • Finalist • Design Lions
2018 Ad Stars • Finalist • Media / Mobile / Design / Outdoor
2018 Spikes Asia • Shortlist • Outdoor
2019 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Creative Storytelling Direct
2019 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Creative Storytelling Digital Solutions
2019 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Craft Design / Outdoor / Print
2019 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Craft Art Direction
2019 Adobo Design Awards • Silver • Digital / Interactive Design
2019 Adstars • Silver • Design
2019 Adstars • Silver • Interactive
Red Ribbon “Project Birthday”
2019 Kidlat Awards • Finalist • Creative Purpose
Snickers “The Hungry Artist”
2019 Kidlat Awards • Finalist • Creative Storytelling Outdoor
Snickers “Wrong World Finals”
2019 Cannes • Finalist • Digital Craft Lions Digital Illustration
2019 Cannes • Finalist • Digital Craft Lions Overall Aesthetic Design
2019 Spikes Asia • Bronze • Digital Craft
2019 Spikes Asia • Shortlist • Design
2019 Adfest • Silver • Interactive Lotus
2019 Adfest • Bronze • Design Lotus
2019 Kidlat Awards • Gold • Design Craft
2019 Kidlat Awards • Silver • Creative Technology & Media
2019 Kidlat Awards • Silver • Art Direction Craft
2019 Adobo Design Awards • Gold • Illustration
2019 Adobo Design Awards • Bronze • Integrated Design
2018 Epica Awards • Shortlist • World Cup Advertising
Book of 40 “Pinuno” Mural
2017 Adobo Design Awards • Silver • Applied Illustration
2017 Adobo Design Awards • Bronze • Outdoor
Calbee “Bestopotato”
2016 Adobo Design Awards • Gold • Film Animation
2016 Kidlat Awards • Silver • Film Animation
2016 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Art Direction
Hank & Frank “KOTD” Floor Murals
2016 Adobo Design Awards • Bronze • Illustration
2015 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Design
2015 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Illustration
Jack N’ Jill “Lunchbox”
2016 Kidlat Awards • Silver • Film VFX
2015 Kidlat Awards • Silver • Film Animation
2015 Cannes Young Lions PH • Finalist • Inquirer.net
Blackpencil “Calling Card”
2014 Adobo Design Awards • Bronze • Applied Logo
Boysen Knox-Out “The Biggest Air Filter”
2014 Cannes Lions • Act Responsible Tribute
2013 Cannes Lions • Silver • Design Lions
2013 AMEs • Gold • Most Effective Use of Eco / Green Marketing
2013 AMEs • Bronze • Most Innovative Use of Media
2012 Spikes Asia • Shortlist • Ambient Media: Large Scale
KFC “Call Center”
2012 Kidlat Awards • Bronze • Film
TGI Friday’s “Unlimited Mojitos”
2012 Kidlat Awards Finalist • Design
2012 Kidlat Awards Finalist • Outdoor
Clients
