This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we talk to Martina Dimitrova.

C: Where do you take your inspiration from?

MD: Growing up in a family of architects and engineers and building sets as a Set Designer, my world and aesthetic experience has always been influenced by being on construction sites, surrounded by building materials, learning about architectural history and tradition. My Bulgarian background on the other side has shown me an omnipresent contrast of socialist aesthetic to traditional crafts and ancient artifacts, which made an indelible mark. The graphic boldness and narrative symbolism on all sides and the rich heritage of craftsmanship and fundamental manual work will always be a part of my design inspiration.

C: Can you talk about a new piece / collection that you release for COLLECTIBLE this year?

MD: At this year's collectible fair I will be debuting in collectible design with my collection ’NOV SLOY’ (’new layer’ in Bulgarian). This title is the family title for a series of unique objects and surfaces created using limewash and lime plasters. A dinner table surrounded by 8 stools, serves as a meeting point showing ornate patterns and surfaces inspired by flowers, grass and soil.

C: Can you briefly describe your process?

MD: For all pieces created within the ’NOV SLOY’ family, I take inspiration from traditional plaster techniques and materials known in Marmorino or Sgraffito works. Within this highly traditional legacy I feel challenged and curious to experiment and incorporate an improper misuse on purpose. With uneven first layers I integrate the beauty of coincidence and chaos. Created through cracking, scratching or carving the starting point is set for next layers to fill up the surface and a final sanding reveals the pattern created through the very first touch. By the carbonation of the plasters and paint, I create a new limestone, resembling natural structures, yet introducing an element of the unreal to my work.

C: What makes design collectible in your eyes?

MD: Collectible design is touched by the hand of the creator, showing a skillful handling of materials and techniques and possibly a personal narrative as well. The time consuming factor of the creation of a piece, which limits the possible amount of pieces made, is a core factor of a collectible piece to me.

COLLECTIBLE: How did you get into collectible design? Why did you focus your practice on this type of design rather than industrial design?

Martina Dimitrova: I have worked as a Set Designer for almost 10 years, and during all projects I found myself always hands-on doing very intricate and detailed objects. My approach to design is strongly process-driven, experimenting and manipulating techniques and materials being the main factor. That's when I decided to go back into Product-design, which I have studied at University of the Arts Berlin and focus on functional unique objects and custom pieces.