Interview with Arturo Magallanes, Graphic Designer of More to Men
Arturo Magallanes.
The launch of the More to Men platform wouldn’t be possible without the help of graphic designer, Arturo Magallanes. Arturo began work at More to Men, the brother platform of Be More, early May this year. Since his work began, Arturo has been working hard to bring the organization to light through his artful designs. The results of the More to Men page have Arturo proud—and hopeful—that his designs will translate well to the audience. Learn more about Arturo’s work as graphic designer to More to Men, and his thoughts on masculinity:
1. Arturo’s Start at Be More
Arturo is from Rolling Meadows, a small town outside of Chicago. Arturo graduated from Elmhurst University and received his Bachelors of Arts for Graphic Design in 2021, and has also received his Associates in Arts for Graphic Design at Harper College.
When Arturo began his job search, he wasn’t sure at first what he wanted to do. Graphic design, Arturo mentions, is very “consumeristic.” “I really wanted to use my work to also possibly send a positive message and one of the ways to do that is to create artwork for organizations,” says Arturo. Thus, Arturo found Be More. Arturo was drawn to Be More, through their captivating website and use of color, but it was the organization’s message that had him sold. “I was attracted to Be More, especially their message and sending body positivity and also, even body neutrality, and helping young teenage girls and now even more young adult girls...to have a more positive look at their bodies.” But body positivity should not be limited to just girls, which is how More to Men came to be.
Brand Card designed by Arturo Magallanes for More To Men.
2. Arturo’s Design Process
When Arturo was asked to help design the More to Men page, he had a plethora of skills to bring to the table. Digital layout, branding and identity, and photo manipulation are just a few of the several skills Arturo implemented in the More to Men page. As a self-proclaimed “color-enthusiast,” Arturo made sure his defining artistic technique came to light. The More to Men page is “colorful,” “playful,” and avoids white backgrounds. “I don't like having white backgrounds, ever,” Arturo shares, expressing that all of his designs have color, even the backgrounds, which can be seen as lightly tinted. The use of color on the More to Men page further removes toxic masculinity tropes of ‘girls wear pink, boys wear blue.’ Color—like femininity and masculinity—is for everyone. As Arturo says, “Life's too short to have a white background.”
Previous selected works from Arturo Magallanes’ portfolio.
3. Arturo’s Take on Masculinity
As More to Men addresses, there is no right way to be a man. However, for some cultures, trends of ‘toxic masculinity’ still remain. For Arturo, growing up in a Latinx community, the term “machismo,” is a term used often. According to Arturo, machismo is the idea of “being a very macho man,” and is the very embodiment of toxic masculinity. “Growing up being more feminine, machismo is something that has affected me,” Arturo says. The pressure for men to act or dress a certain way is incredibly harmful, especially as young boys develop their identity in the world. Arturo shares some helpful advice about masculinity:
“There is no right way to be a man.”
“Your gender expression should be what you want it to be.” Arturo says. “You don't have to be macho, you don't have to be fit. You don't have to be into that like gym bro culture...you don't have to be harmful.”
“You don't have to confine” and “you don't have to conform.” Arturo explains that “You don't have to look a certain way to feel accepted by society, just do what you want to do and really, that can either be, you want to be masculine or you want to be feminine, or you want to be neither or you want to be both.”
Arturo is very excited to have his work launched on the More to Men page! Arturo’s designs will be his “first real world project outside of college,” and is hoping his “design translates well” to More to Men’s message. Follow More to Men and Arturo’s journey on social media @moretomen @a.rt.uro!
