Visual Artist Raco Ruiz Inspires BUV Students to Embrace Multipurpose Creativity

Recently, final-year students from the School of Communications & Creative Industries (SoCCI) at British University Vietnam (BUV) had the opportunity to engage in a live virtual guest talk with Raco Ruiz, a visual artist, content creator, and video director based in Manila, Philippines.  

The session was part of the Creative Futures module and took place via Microsoft Teams, streamed to Lecture Room on BUV campus 

Raco Ruiz is a self-described “multipurpose artist”, whose vibrant and surreal body of work blends pop culture, nostalgia, nature, and bold imagination. His creations span across visual art, YouTube content, photography, TikTok videos, and more captivating a wide digital audience and pushing the boundaries of creativity in the digital age. As a Graphika Manila 2025 speaker, Raco brought with him both credibility and a refreshing creative energy that deeply resonated with BUV students. 

A “Multipurpose Artist” Drawing from Everyday Inspiration 

During the two-hour session, Raco shared key lessons from his journey as a self-described “multipurpose artist.” Speaking with honesty and humour, he walked students through how he built his creative identity by combining skills across media platforms, blurring the lines between illustration, film, content creation, and photography. Rather than committing to a single discipline, Raco highlighted the value of embracing multiple talents to shape a distinctive and sustainable career. 

He also spoke about drawing inspiration from everyday life, such as childhood influences like cartoons and nature shows and how staying curious has helped him keep his visual storytelling fresh and personal. For students across Illustration, Graphic Design, and Photography majors, this was a powerful reminder that creativity often begins with what’s already around us. 

“Don’t wait to be hired. Start creating now,” Raco urged, empowering students to take initiative and build their own creative platforms. 

Students got a chance to gain insight into the creative art process of Raco 

Beyond inspiration, Raco offered clear, practical insights into how young creatives can navigate today’s competitive industry. He discussed the balance between professional client work and self-initiated projects, encouraging students to maintain their artistic voice while also meeting real-world expectations. He stressed the importance of building a strong portfolio that reflects not only technical ability but also personality and creative range. 

Raco’s vibrant concept design for Vinfast car 

As part of SoCCI’s ongoing commitment to industry-connected learning, this talk offered students not only a closer look at how creative careers are shaped across Asia but also actionable ideas they could apply to their own journeys. The session concluded with an open Q&A, where students gained further perspective on content strategy, visual branding, and platform-specific storytelling.