WantedDesign Member
Discover the unique stories and creative journeys of our WantedDesign members as they share their inspirations, design philosophies, and standout work.
Martine Ilana
Temescal Creative
Principal Designer
I am an industrial & interior with a focus on sustainable design principals across each touch-point of their development and creation. The imperfections of handcrafted design is what I find the most beautiful and interesting in products and spaces. My design approach is rooted in simple, natural materials and shapes, paired with a strategic use of color to create feelings of joy and calm.
Design Approach and Inspiration
My design process is founded in the Arts & Crafts movement and always starts with a simple visual inspiration based on color, shape, or space. I will hand-sketch a project’s initial concepts inspired by this 1st reference, to then move this hand-sketch into a digital form. I have found that the hand-crafted nature of my process keeps the designs unique and artful. My creative process is inspired by the natural world and traveling – always keeping my eye interacting with fresh new visuals and environments. I tend to focus on problems I experience or people I know experience for most of my projects.
Get to know them better...
What’s the one item in your home that you can’t live without, and why?
MI: My beloved Togo Chairs, as they were custom made with the perfect cream and pecan-colored leathers and are the perfect place to relax in my living room with family and friends.
What’s your go-to playlist or song when you need a creative boost?
MI: Anything Groove Armada!
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
AK:A yoga teacher.
My dream
MI: My biggest professional dream is to build a successful upcycled or sustainably focused furniture collection with international distribution. I also aspire to grow an interior design practice that collaborates with residential and commercial clients around the world.
