ABOUT US
We are a small business with a big heart. Lead by founder Jade Ilke, at Designing Futures we build teams; a team that is made up of the right people who have the most suitable expertise. This allows us to be more dynamic, more creative and more versatile.
Jade is an award winning entrepreneur, known for developing concepts that not only work commercially but benefit society at the same time. With over 30 years of experience of working with British, Turkish, and American companies, the Public Sector and the Third Sector she is able to pool all her varied experience, knowledge, networks and a group of associates together to be able to offer a rounded service that makes a difference.
Having set up and ran a variety of different types of businesses, including a charity and social enterprise, Jade has extensive experience in grasping the needs of the project she is working on. With a background and training in art & design, she understands how to work well with artists, designers, makers, crafts people, and manufacturers.
With accolades such as “Best Practice”, “Entrepreneur of the Year” and founder of “Most Creative Business” plus the honour of being invited to The Queen’s Garden Party twice for recognition of bridging business with social entrepreneurship, Jade is enthused to also shine a light on whomever she works with.
Our ‘People’
We have a wide network of artists, designers, makers, crafts people and manufacturers we work with; below is a selection of persons we work with to give you a flavour…
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Vlad Nemes
UPHOLSTERER
A highly commended upholsterer, Vlad learned his craft at the heart of the furniture industry in his home country, Romania.
For the past 10 years he has honed his craft to an exceptional level working across the office, hospitality and retail sectors.
Known to love tackling any upholstery challenge, he has put his signature to many high end projects, from the reupholstery of antique pieces to booth seating for Michelin starred restaurants!
No seating project is too ‘much of a fuss’ for Vlad…
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Amber Bailey
MARQUETRY ARTIST
Formally trained in Furniture Conservation and Restoration, Amber specialised in marquetry, enhancing her undergraduate studies with training in French Marquetry at École Boulle, Paris.
Working in a contemporary way with marquetry she uses acrylic and laser cutting techniques to create bespoke artisanal artwork, products and collections. Her pieces can be found across the land in museum shops at cultural and heritage sites.
A great believer in learning and teaching new skills, particularly crafts, Amber delivers also workshops in a variety of settings.
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Paul Jenner
WOODWORKER
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Imre Erguvanli
ARTIST
Practicing architecture, Imre has lived in different countries such as Turkey, USA and the UK throughout the years. Currently residing in the Czechia, he translates his varied cultural experiences into the layers of his art.
Engaging with different mediums, layers, and techniques he explores his journey through life. Studying random & deliberate markings, characteristics of materials, and the application of AI models onto physical artwork, he creates pieces that are captivating.
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Lula James
FURNITURE DESIGNER MAKERS
Feeling fortunate to have found a path that they are truly passionate about, Daisy & Andrew design and make bespoke solid wood commissions in their workshop in Oxford. Ranging from cabinets, tables and chairs to gong frames, looms and museum pieces, there is no piece that they can’t apply their skills to.
Sharing their enjoyment of making with their renowned woodwork courses as well, the Lula James Workshop provides a creative space where people can peacefully zone in on something more fundamental in an age of digital overload, mental burnout and general angst.
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Palvinder Nangla
MULTI MEDIA ARTIST
Rooted in mixed-media textiles, Palvinder’s practice utilises embellishment and stitching as tools for exploring the construction of identity. Symbolic of the detritus of society, his materials operate in conversation with his own identity.
The found materials he uses have an origin and lived history, one which will ultimately remain unknown. Fastening ‘rescued’ objects into his work he is engaging with notions of displacement and belonging. Recently shortlisted for the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, 2025 his work champions the meditative benefits of stitch and its ability to improve dexterity.
“Jade is one of life’s entrepreneurial women with passion, creativity and drive in her DNA. She can understand the business goals of a project and can help strive to achieve them whilst operating with total integrity and heart. She immediately engenders trust and has a subtle but strong leadership style”
CAROLINE KINSEY, CHAIRMAN, CIRKLE PR