Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.

I’m Joy Valdez, an industrial designer born in Merida, Yucatán. I am very observant and detail-oriented. I love to challenge some design schemes without losing functionality and aesthetics. I work with any material that allows me to experiment with my ideas, for example, metal structures woven from natural fiber, resins, fiberglass, and wood to complement.

Could you describe your practice?

I create collectible designs without following a specific design line, my practice is very free and the phrase that best describes me is “experimentation in shapes and colors.”

 

 

What and who is influencing you right now?

I’m very inspired by the work of Misha Kahn, and Masquespacio studio, since they have a lot of personality and authenticity in their design concepts. I also like to explore disciplines and processes outside of industrial design, such as fashion, hair styling and jewelry design.

Who are some of your favorite artists? 

I admire Barbara Sanchez Keane, (Yucatecan like me!) Since she does not identify herself as a designer of anything specific, she is just a creative person who combines materials and techniques to make all kinds of installations, objects, catwalks and clothing; it inspires your degree of experimentation. Speaking of international design, I am influenced and inspired by the world around Ettore Sottsass.

 

 

Describe your current studio or workspace.

My studio is very colorful and tidy. I have a lot of light during the day. I like to have few things on display, only what is necessary to make my displayed objects more evident. It is a space where I receive clients and colleagues and where they can feel a feeling of being at home.

What are some of the best or worst reactions you have gotten to your work? 

During art week here in México, a client came to visit me during my open studio and told me honestly that it had been one of the best things he had ever visited, even better than one of the big art fairs in México, which had been a more personal experience.

 

 

What are the main themes and motifs in your work? 

My objects reflect organic, colorful shapes; my main motifs would be vibrant, fun, untamed and artisanal.

What is one of the bigger challenges you struggle with as a designer? 

Being a young woman designer in a world where manufacturing and production workshops are mostly run by men. I now have a network of trust, loyalty, and a good relationship with my production team.

 

 

What are some recent or upcoming projects you are working on?

Recently, I was invited to collaborate to create a furniture collection together with 3 other designers for a furniture store in México, only using melamine boards. It is a large and long project that has lasted almost a year and involves many people. I am also working on a new piece with a maximalist style because I want it to generate controversy in its creation; I can’t talk much about it but it will be spectacular. I am excited to challenge myself and use materials that I would never use and see what I can achieve with them.

What do you want someone to gain from interacting with your work? 

I want people to feel curiosity, admiration and strangeness (sometimes) about my objects, this always leads us to have good topics of conversation that later become enjoyable talks about experimentation and how other people can interpret my ideas. So far, I have received good comments from people and my clients, many are in love with my mirror “La Celebración”, and being told that makes me happy.

 

What catalyzed your interest in design? 

Being able to express in an object all my feelings from different moments in my life, some happier than others, I think it is my way of expressing myself to the world and seeing that people appreciate and understand my work makes me happy.

What are you really excited about right now? 

All the technology and artificial intelligence tools that will come in the future, I imagine combining technology with artisanal processes, remaining with the constant theme of what is made in Mexico.

 

Interview conducted & edited by Natalie Toth. All photos courtesy of Joy Valdez. All featured items are available for purchase at https://www.joyjoy.mx/.