Misfits Camp
At The Misfits Camp, they believe in making the creative industries more diverse and inclusive for everyone, while also creating a safe and brave space to nurture the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
The organization believes in diversifying the creative world and building a “safe and brave space” that nurtures the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
For Chesca, a 29-year-old graphic artist living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (specifically Asperger’s Syndrome), this philosophy provided more than just training; it offered a lifeline that fundamentally altered her career trajectory.
Chesca’s entry into the professional world began with a collision between her needs and traditional workplace expectations. She landed her first job at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a standard government agency. Despite her strong background in multimedia arts, the environment overwhelmed her.
At The Misfits Camp, they believe in making the creative industries more diverse and inclusive for everyone, while also creating a safe and brave space to nurture the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
The organization believes in diversifying the creative world and building a “safe and brave space” that nurtures the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
For Chesca, a 29-year-old graphic artist living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (specifically Asperger’s Syndrome), this philosophy provided more than just training; it offered a lifeline that fundamentally altered her career trajectory.
Chesca’s entry into the professional world began with a collision between her needs and traditional workplace expectations. She landed her first job at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a standard government agency. Despite her strong background in multimedia arts, the environment overwhelmed her.
At The Misfits Camp, they believe in making the creative industries more diverse and inclusive for everyone, while also creating a safe and brave space to nurture the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
The organization believes in diversifying the creative world and building a “safe and brave space” that nurtures the sustainable growth of underrepresented creatives.
For Chesca, a 29-year-old graphic artist living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (specifically Asperger’s Syndrome), this philosophy provided more than just training; it offered a lifeline that fundamentally altered her career trajectory.
Chesca’s entry into the professional world began with a collision between her needs and traditional workplace expectations. She landed her first job at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a standard government agency. Despite her strong background in multimedia arts, the environment overwhelmed her.
The office demanded speed and multitasking efficiency she could not match. This difficulty stemmed not from a lack of capability, but because her deliberate work pace differed significantly from neurotypical norms.
The situation quickly deteriorated. Attempting to communicate with colleagues across various departments felt isolating, and the frenetic atmosphere left her constantly overstimulated. After only three months of working, just halfway through her six-month probation, her supervisors issued an early assessment and let her go.
To Chesca, this experience made her feel like a failure. She retreated to heal, viewing this painful setback as a necessary step toward understanding what she truly required to succeed.
Veteran creative director Merlee Jayme founded this non-profit organization explicitly to train neurodivergent graduates for careers in the creative arts. Inspiring creative Chesca joined the inaugural batch, where she tackled a rigorous 15-day skills assessment followed by six months of intensive training. During this period, Jayme evaluated not only Chesca’s design skills but also her readiness for the workforce. Jayme recognized that sending Chesca back into a traditional agency might simply replicate the trauma she experienced at DOST.
The Misfits Camp offered what her previous employer did not: understanding, accommodation, and genuine support. Her mentors instilled the confidence she needed to pursue her passion again. When Jayme launched Jayme Headquarters in Makati—envisioned as the first creative agency specifically designed to welcome neurodivergent talent—she invited Chesca to join the team directly, rather than risking her placement in a conventional firm.
At Jayme Headquarters, Chesca finally found her rhythm. The agency prioritizes equality and inclusivity as essential core values, creating a space where the whole team is welcoming and supports neurodivergent employees. Her boss makes sure to check in regularly, asking vital but straightforward questions like, “Are you okay?” and encouraging her to speak up when deadlines feel daunting.
Although not everything is always sunshine and rainbows. Cheska still faces challenges as a professional in the creative field, such as clients who are difficult to please, tight deadlines, and endless revisions, just like any other designer. However, she now navigates these pressures with a support system, who are just liker her, in the workplace. She opens up to colleagues about her struggles and works with the assurance that her team understands her differences rather than penalizing her for them.
For Chesca, the Misfits Camp represents far more than a training program. It serves as a crucial bridge for neurodivergent graduates who might otherwise abandon their chosen fields because traditional environments prove too hostile — In which Chesca had watched many fellow multimedia arts graduates leave the industry for this exact reason.
The Misfits Camp fills a critical gap by providing post-graduate training specifically for neurodivergent creatives.
With Chesca’s success, the organization demonstrates that with the proper support and empathy, neurodivergent individuals can not only survive but also thrive in the creative industries.