My name is Iana Nikolova and I'm a Product and Industrial Designer, specialising in user-centred design.
My goal as a designer is to create products that truly "care" for their users, offering excellent quality and ergonomics, minimalistic aesthetics, and accessibility for all. My designs resonate with users on an emotional and personal level, creating a unique bond between the product and the person.
I have a passion for making things with my hands, sketching, building, and working with both physical and digital tools. I have experience in designing 3D models using advanced CAD systems, prototyping with specialised microcontrollers and electronics (Arduino and Raspberry Pi), and working with innovative digital fabrication tools. My main interest is developing wearable technology and IoT smart solutions and devices that shape the world of tomorrow.
I'm always eager to face new design challenges hands-on!
ABLE-N is about good design enabling smart product functionalities.
Skills
Graphic Design and Illustration: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator,
Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, Animate), Procreate
Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Fusion 360, Blender,
SketchUp, Autodesk 3Ds Max, Solidworks, KeyShot
Workshop Skills: Glass Work (Hot Blowing, Cold Casting),
Wood Work (Cutting, Milling), Metal Work (Welding,
Cutting, Casting), Textiles, Casting (Plaster, Silicone, Resin)
Digital Fabrication: Laser Cutting (Wood, Metal), Interactive
3D Printing, Vacuum Forming, Clay 3D Printing, CNC, Soldering
Coding and Web Development:
C++, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Arduino, Adafruit, Raspberry Pi,
Fritzing, Figma, Loveable, Adobe Dreamweaver
Photography and Film: Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, Garmin VIRB
Languages
English (Native Speaker), Bulgarian (Native Speaker), Spanish (Fluent), German (Basic Level)
Experience
2023 -
UI/UX designer of the LLcloud multi-sensor cloud platform
Helping the LLcloud team with wearables business development and sales
llcloud.eu
2023
Asana Cat UG Design Internship as part of the LLcloud Team
Designing prototypes for a novel cat tracker collar using LoRaWan technology
asana-cat.com
2022 - 2023
Graphic Design Internship at Memorabilia Pack Company Ltd., Edinburgh, UK
Developed graphic design covers and leaflets for memorabilia packs
mempackcompany.com
2021 - 2022
Internship at Digital Space Living Lab, Sofia, Bulgaria
Data analysis, web graphics design and video editing
digitalspaces.info
2018 - 2019
Voluntary work at Smart Fab Lab, Sofia, Bulgaria
Designing 2D and 3D CAD and Sketchup models
smartfablab.org
Education
BA Hons - Product Design: The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Secondary Education at the American College of Sofia, Bulgaria
2015 - 2020
2023
Exchange Semester - Industrial Design: Lund University, Sweden
MA Design Products: The Royal College of Art
2020 - 2024
2024 - 2025
References
Dr Keeryong Choi, Lecturer of Contemporary Craft, The University of Edinburgh
email: kchoi@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Dr Stavri Nikolov, Founding Director of LLcloud and Digital Spaces Living Lab
email: stavri.nikolov@llcloud.eu
Isla Munro, Head of Department, Product Design, The University of Edinburgh
email: isla.munro@ed.ac.uk