Good design is like a good story. It has rhythm, cadence, and just when you feel comfortable, a small twist appears.

It’s that gentle tension, that slight discomfort, that keeps you hooked—like reading a novel when you know something is about to happen, and you can’t stop reading. Without tension, when everything is too perfect, you disconnect and forget.

The tension between emotion and motion is what makes a piece stand out.

Great design grabs you, moves you, and forces you to look twice. And when you finally get it, it leaves you with a sense of satisfaction, but still craving more.


Born in 1986 and based in Mexico, Joel Escalona’s work explores the power of objects to transcend their function. Focusing on the abstraction of form and sensation, his creations are designed to evoke the nuances of sensation—the subtle shifts and shades of feeling that often go unnoticed in the rush of everyday life. His work invites both subtle and profound experiences of tranquility, serenity, and sometimes, tension.

"Objects are more than functional—they are reflections of emotion, moments of presence."

Joel finds beauty in imperfection. For him, perfection is not about flawless symmetry or rigid structure, but the natural uniqueness found in incomplete, organic forms. "True beauty lies in the spaces between perfection and imperfection." His designs embrace organic forms that reflect the natural world and the unpredictability of life, giving each piece its own unique presence.

With a foundation in industrial design and a master’s degree in Contemporary Art, Markets, and Business, Joel seamlessly merges the technical with the artistic. His career spans collaborations with internationally recognized brands such as Design Within Reach, Roche Bobois, and Louis Vuitton. This multidisciplinary approach allows him to work across diverse fields, moving fluidly between design and art.

Joel has participated in some of the most prestigious design exhibitions, including Art Basel, ICFF in New York, Maison & Objet in Paris, Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, and Zona Maco in Mexico. As his body of work gains recognition, it has found a growing place within contemporary art collections, and his collaborations with renowned brands reflect the rising demand for his unique vision. 

In addition to his artistic work, Joel is the Creative Director of NONO, the furniture brand he founded several years ago. NONO represents the commercial side of his creativity, with furniture designed for both residential and commercial markets. Through NONO, Joel explores the formal and functional aspects of contemporary furniture, all crafted in Mexico and exported internationally. The brand stands as a reflection of his dedication to producing high-quality, design-driven pieces that resonate with clients around the world.

www.nono.mx

1986 — Born in Mexico City

2009 — First exhibitions in NY and Paris

2010 — Wallpaper* Graduate Directory 2010

2010 — Industrial Design Bachelor's Degree by UAM-A 

2011 — Established “JOEL ESCALONA STUDIO” & NONO

2015 — Start teaching Industrial Design at CENTRO University

2017 — Start teaching Industrial Design at Tec de Monterrey

2017 — Mexico, 9th Biennial of Design.

2019 — Creative Director for BREUER 

2019 — AHEC Design Awards, Trajectory Award 

2020 — Creative Director at Taller Maya

2021 — Design Director at NONO

2022 — Master in Contemporary Art, Markets and Business