When my uncle passed away a couple of years ago, I shutdown my work and started to design. It seems like design is a way for me to tell a story about my loved ones without talking. At times, talking is hard after a loss, so telling a story through design is a way for me to project outward.
As I did with my uncle, I did the same again for one of my best friends – my brother, Nat Pagmanua. I shutdown and started designing. The first question I asked myself is how do I tell a story that covers Nat’s life while maintaining the integrity of my minimalist design philosophy? The simplest designs are the most difficult to pull off, and after a brief meditation session and prayer, I was able to put together something for Nat – we did it together. Here’s the breakdown:
Open White Space (Represents):
- The open universe where Nat can roam freely. The white color equates to the light of the universe and peace.
Dates (Represents):
- Nat’s entry and exit in physical form from earth. The full sphere represents the sun rise while the half sphere represents the sunset
Cities (Represents):
- Daly City, California. The city where Nat resides with the coordinates to pinpoint Nat’s location on the earth’s surface. Waianae, Hawaii. The city in Hawai’i where Nat’s heart and soul rested in physical form, and where his family calls home. The Waianae, Hawai’i coordinates pinpoint where Nat’s heart rests for eternity.
6 Dots (Represents):
- Top 3 – Jacquelyn, Jaidyn, and Jaxsen (Wife and Kids)
- Bottom 3 – Jamie, Nat, Jameyline (siblings)
- The Bottom 3 – Also represent Nat, Jamie and You. Wherever the twins were, you were with them.
Nat Pagmanua (Represents):
- From the outside it may look like it’s Nat’s name, and it is, but Nat sits on top overlooking everything from the highest point in the universe. Below is his home locations and loved ones, while he’s above watching over us.
Hawaii Islands – On the full clothing design (Represents):
- The Islands that Nat loved and held close to his heart – his home. Being Hawaiian is what Nat lived by. He carried the Hawaiian Islands on his shoulders which is why the Islands are placed in top center. From a personal standpoint, both the Pagmanua and Taniguchi families are from the Hawaiian Islands, so it was only right that I stamp the design with a place that we’re both tied too, and it’s a place that we shared memories together.
I’m sure as time ticks and the future becomes the present, I’ll find myself crafting more pieces for Nat. Energy, frequency, and vibration – eternal exploration. I love you brother.
Thank you for reading.
Peace.
-Mark-
