WantedDesign Member
Discover the unique stories and creative journeys of our WantedDesign members as they share their inspirations, design philosophies, and standout work.
Karina Smyrnova
TVORÝAtelier
Product Designer | Artist
Karina Smyrnova is a Ukrainian artist and designer based in NYC area working across multiple mediums and techniques, including plaster reliefs, murals, and handcrafted interior objects inspired by raw nature, places, and people’s stories. In her work, she’s constantly exploring new materials, their combinations, and the ways they can visually shape a space and influence human experience.
Design Approach and Inspiration
Her approach is rooted in exploring the surrounding world and transforming those impressions into material forms often filled with depth and texture. Some of her processes involve collective creation and collaboration with other makers. Her core principles are openness to experimentation and crafting objects at the intersection of art, design, and functionality. She draws inspiration from many sources like nature, meaningful moments, and the work of other creators.
Get to know them better...
What’s the one item in your home that you can’t live without, and why?
KS: While I don’t treat it as an item, it’s a plant (or many plants!). In our first apartment in the USA, the very first thing I bought was a palm plant. At that moment we didn’t even have a dining table or any furniture, but we enjoyed our food on the rug with a palm view 🙂 Without live plants the space often looks empty.
What’s your go-to playlist or song when you need a creative boost?
KS: ONUKA, DakhaBrakha
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
KS: Florist, Landscape designer
My dream
KS: “My biggest professional dream is to build a multi-medium creative studio where I can work with different materials such as wood, metal, glass, with a dedicated R&D approach to experimentation and innovation, with a focus on making functional objects at the intersection of art, design and human experience. Make objects which last for generations for those who cherish craftsmanship.”