Martina Wylie

I’m Martina, a Melbourne based registered architect, designer and maker. I’ve been drawing and making for as long as I can remember, with a background spanning fine art, architecture, furniture, UX and design education. Those experiences eventually led me to establish Martina Wylie Studio, where I now work across objects, installations and experiences.I’m drawn to the process of taking an idea from your imagination, to paper, and eventually into something real you can hold. There is something incredibly rewarding about making with your hands, particularly with natural materials that already have their own character and beauty.My furniture has been exhibited through Fringe Furniture Festival and the Australian Design Centre, and I have also tutored university students in design and architecture, as well as facilitated workshops across creative and design disciplines.As a teacher, I bring that design and making experience into the room in a practical way. I can help people work through an idea, understand the possibilities and limitations of a material, troubleshoot as they go, and make considered decisions about form and construction. My approach is still fairly low key and intuitive. I like giving people enough guidance to feel confident without hovering over them. Some people prefer to work things out themselves, while others want more conversation and support along the way. I tend to read the room and adapt, and I enjoy seeing the different directions people take with the same process. Giving people the space to experiment, get absorbed in the process, and take home something that feels genuinely their own is a big part of what I enjoy about teaching.