Meet Irlanda Navarro | Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Irlanda Navarro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irlanda, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art has always been a part of my journey. From childhood pottery classes and playing with watercolor to studying design in college, creativity has been my constant companion. Whether it’s graphic design, hand-drawn illustrations, or exploring new mediums, creating comes naturally to me. Choosing a creative career was simply an extension of this natural inclination. In my day-to-day work, I closely collaborate with entrepreneurs to design their brand identities and websites, which brings me immense joy. Guiding them as they launch their brands feels like unlocking their creative potential in the digital space. For me, there’s no other way of life—I live to create and to inspire others to do the same.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Benthic Studio, focuses on creating unique brand identities and illustrations. We blend design and art, with some of our clients featured in top media like Vogue, Forbes, AdWeek, and The New York Times. My artistic style mixes nature, wildlife, and pop culture, giving brands a fresh perspective.

I started freelancing in graphic design for friends and family during college, and my client base has grown naturally over time. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but I believe in taking bold steps when I’m passionate—the hard work pays off. Integrity is key for me: honesty, respecting diverse viewpoints, and delivering top-quality work. These principles drive my business, ensuring every project is top-notch and earns our clients’ trust.

I’m especially excited about an upcoming branding worksheet I’m developing, soon to be available for free on my website! It’s my way of helping fellow creative entrepreneurs kickstart their journeys.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start the day with a hike at Torrey Pines, followed by lunch at Parakeet Coffee. Afterward, we’d browse Verbatim Books in North Park and maybe grab some cookies from Uncle Biffs for a sweet treat. In the afternoon, I’d take them to a dance cardio class at Madhouse Dance, ending with a beautiful sunset view at Sunset Cliffs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to my amazing husband, whose unwavering belief in me keeps me motivated every day. Huge thanks to my earliest freelance design clients—Annalisa, Lola, Ejieme, Aneri, Cynthia, Jennifer—and all the incredible women who’ve trusted me with creative projects. Your trust and collaboration mean the world to me and keep me inspired. Building a community around my business has been everything, and I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who’s been part of this journey with me.

Website: https://www.benthicstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthicstudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irlandanavarro/