18EME DESIGNE, also known as Iléa, is an artist who grew up in Abidjan, Africa until the age of 15. Raised by his father, Iléa and his brother fled to France to escape the war in the Ivory Coast. Initially interested in rap, Iléa released two albums with his crew. However, at the age of 24, after the loss of his father, Iléa abandoned music and turned to graphic arts for solace. Today, he practices digital painting, a form of digital art that emerged in the 1990s in which traditional painting techniques such as watercolor and oils are applied using digital tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.

Iléa dedicates around ten hours to each frame, always working on colorful portraits. This allows him to reveal the intensity of the gaze, which is the focus of his creations. His digital paintings showcase traditional techniques applied through the use of modern technology, resulting in unique and striking works of art.