Self-Taught Designer to Head of Creative | Cilmar Bacus
My name is Cilmar Bolilawa Bacus, a Filipino Graphic Designer and creative professional based in Dubai, UAE. My journey has been shaped by years of learning, adapting, working hard, and continuously challenging myself to become better in a field that I genuinely love.
I did not originally study graphic design. In the Philippines, I studied Computer Programming, but over time I discovered that my real passion was in creativity, visual communication, and design.
What began as an interest slowly became something I wanted to pursue professionally. I started teaching myself through online tutorials, especially YouTube, while constantly practicing, experimenting, and learning new design tools and techniques.
Starting My Life and Career in Dubai
I came to Dubai in 2017 hoping to build a better future and grow professionally. Starting over in another country was not easy. I did not yet have the strong portfolio I have today, so I focused on learning from every opportunity.
My first professional opportunity in Dubai was with a corporate gifts company in Dubai CommerCity, where I joined as a Graphic Designer. During my first two years, I prepared artwork and creative materials for corporate gift products and client requirements. This experience taught me how designs move from a screen to a physical product.
Moving Into Production
After two years with the same company, I transferred to the Production Department. I continued working as a Graphic Designer while learning digital printing and production, eventually becoming a Production In-Charge.
I learned about materials, printing processes, artwork preparation, quality control, deadlines, and production requirements. This taught me that good design is not only about how something looks on screen; it must also work in the real world.
Entering the Hospitality and Creative Industry
After four years with my first company, I became a Graphic Designer for a café and restaurant company. I worked on branding, marketing materials, social media visuals, campaigns, and customer-facing creative work.
When the company established a creative agency division, I moved into the agency department as a Creative Graphic Designer based in Dubai Design District. This exposed me to different brands and creative challenges, helping me become faster, more adaptable, and more confident in presenting ideas.
Becoming Head of Creative
Today, I work in Business Bay, Dubai, as a Head of Creative and Graphic Designer for a marketing consultancy. My work includes branding, graphic design, visual identity, packaging, digital design, web and UI/UX design, campaigns, and creative direction.
I help shape the visual direction of projects, develop creative concepts, maintain brand consistency, and ensure that creative work communicates the right message.
Learning Beyond the Workplace
Self-learning has always been central to my journey. I continue studying new techniques, exploring creative disciplines, experimenting with new tools, and expanding my skills in branding, packaging, digital experiences, web design, UI/UX, motion, creative technology, and creative direction.
A Small Google Search That Meant a Lot
One meaningful moment came when I searched Google for “top Filipino graphic designer in Dubai.” Seeing my own name in the results represented years of learning, production deadlines, career changes, and continued improvement.
I still consider myself a student of design, but recognizing small milestones can make the journey feel meaningful.
Featured In: Media Coverage of My Dubai Creative Journey
My journey as a Filipino graphic designer and Head of Creative in Dubai has been featured by several publications and media platforms. You can read the original stories below:
- The Next Dubai — feature on my Dubai graphic design journey
- UAE Startup Story — from computer programming to design in Dubai
- Featured Across — from self-taught designer to Head of Creative
- The Global Filipino Magazine — my journey from passion to creative leadership
- UAE Writers Hub — building a creative career in Dubai
- Dubai OFW — interview about my work as a graphic designer and Head of Creative
- Gulf Magazine — my creative journey in Dubai
- UAE Stories — feature on my creative design journey
- Health Magazine — From Self-Taught Designer to Head of Creative: My Dubai Journey
These features reflect different stages of my career and may encourage aspiring designers and overseas professionals who are learning, building careers, and pursuing their goals.
See all media features and original publication links in one place →
The Challenges Behind the Progress
Living and working abroad has involved uncertainty, professional pressure, rejection, self-doubt, and moments when progress felt slow. Each experience taught me to be more disciplined, adaptable, and willing to learn.
My career was built step by step, project by project, role by role, and lesson by lesson.
What Design Means to Me Today
Today, I believe good design should communicate, solve a problem, help a brand become recognizable, create an emotional connection, and serve a purpose beyond decoration.
Whether I work on a brand identity, package, campaign, digital experience, or creative concept, I first try to understand the reason behind the design.
Continuing the Journey
Today, I continue building my portfolio, expanding my creative skills, exploring new technologies, and strengthening my professional presence in Dubai.
I do not consider becoming Head of Creative the end of my journey.
For me, it is another stage.
There is still so much I want to learn, create, and accomplish.
My long-term goal is to continue growing as a creative professional while building a name that represents quality, creativity, consistency, and meaningful work.
At the same time, I hope my journey can inspire other Filipinos and aspiring creatives who may currently feel that they do not have enough experience, the perfect educational background, a strong portfolio, or the right opportunities.
I did not begin my journey with everything already prepared.
I learned along the way.
I made mistakes.
I changed roles.
I adapted.
And I kept improving.
A Message to Other Aspiring Creatives
If there is one lesson I would share from my journey, it is this:
You do not need to have everything figured out before you start.
Sometimes your career will take you in directions you never expected.
My background was in Computer Programming.
My first years in Dubai took me from graphic design into printing and production.
Later, I entered hospitality, agency work, branding, digital design, and creative leadership.
At every stage, I carried something valuable from the previous one.
That is why I believe no experience is wasted if you are willing to learn from it.
Success does not always arrive through one big opportunity.
Sometimes it is simply the result of continuing to learn, continuing to show up, continuing to improve, and refusing to stop when progress feels slow.
From arriving in Dubai in 2017 without a strong portfolio to eventually working as a Head of Creative / Graphic Designer in Business Bay, my journey has reminded me that careers are built over time.
And for me, the journey is still continuing.
Cilmar Bolilawa Bacus
Graphic Designer | Head of Creative
Dubai, UAE
Email: designer@cilmarbacus.com
Website: cilmarbacus.com
Best of luck….
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