I'm Nico Zapanta or as many people call me, Zap.
An art-based creative from Manila, Philippines and is now based in NYC.
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.
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.
I’m a person who likes striking visuals and fluent storytelling.
My tools of the trade are pens, paint, and Photoshop.
Likes visual symmetry but will never try the mirror face filter.
Experience
Omnicom Health Group • VP Art Supervisor • 2023 - Present
BBDO Guerrero • Associate Creative Director • 2017 - 2023
Leo Burnett Group Manila • Creative Team Head • 2013 - 2017
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
