Blueprint to Brilliance: How Israel Martinez Found His Calling in Design
When Israel Martinez first walked into the iMake Innovation Center at Moreno Valley College, he had no idea how pivotal it would be in shaping his future. Today, graduating from the University of California Davis (UC Davis) with a bachelor’s degree in design, he carries not only strong technical skills but a deep sense of purpose rooted in creativity, innovation, and community.
As a student employee at iMake, Martinez wasn’t just learning—he was leading. He trained peers and community members on tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and design software while also coordinating free workshops in partnership with MVC’s career and technical education department. Through these experiences, he earned a certification in equipment mastery and developed into a mentor and facilitator, gaining real-world skills in leadership, public speaking, and hands-on problem-solving.
Early exposure to design as both a technical craft and a collaborative process shaped Martinez’s vision. At UC Davis, he quickly stood out among his peers. Professors and classmates often assumed he had been at the university for four years—not just two. His comfort with woodworking and digital fabrication, honed at iMake, enabled him to tackle projects with confidence and curiosity.
Martinez didn’t just keep pace—he excelled. At UC Davis, he embraced a multidisciplinary approach. While focusing heavily on graphic design, brand identity, and marketing, he also explored coding, textile courses, and technical communication. In one class, he helped create an iFixit repair guide, documenting the repair process with step-by-step instructions and photos—real-world experience in usability and writing for diverse audiences.
One memorable project was the Jouch, a reupholstered children’s chair made from dyed denim scraps and repurposed materials for a sustainable furniture concept that Martinez co-created alongside fellow students. The standout exhibit at UC Davis’s Chaos in the Courtyard earned praise from James Housefield, associate professor in the department of design and author, who said, “This is why we have this major.” Martinez led the branding and design efforts, cementing his passion for creative problem-solving.
“Israel’s creativity shines in everything he does, whether it’s giving the iMAKE brand a fresh new vibe or designing his own outfits. Working with him and guiding him was such a memorable experience. He brings a sense of heart, focus, and vision to everything he does. He’s thoughtful, strategic, and seriously talented. This is just the beginning for him, I can’t wait to see what he creates next,” said Veronica Valdez, marketing specialist who got to see Israel’s brilliance at work first-hand.
Martinez’s passion for design also showed in a university competition, where he led a small startup team to win a visual design excellence award. Building on these successes, in his final year, he created a full brand campaign for a bug-based snack called “Antarchy,” a clever play on words that included logo design, advertising concepts, merchandising, food-safe packaging, and user experience strategies. The project required him to study FDA guidelines and apply that knowledge to nutrition labels and packaging, reinforcing his ability to blend creativity with technical precision.
Now, as he prepares for graduation, Martinez reflects with deep gratitude on the role Moreno Valley College played in his journey. The iMake Innovation Center gave him a safe space to explore, make mistakes, and gain confidence. It lit the spark that led to a future in design.
“Thank you, Moreno Valley College,” Martinez said. “You helped me realize what I’m capable of and played a pivotal part in my education and personal growth.”
Learn more about a future in Arts, Media, and Design.