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), Procreate
Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Fusion 360, Blender,
SketchUp, Autodesk 3Ds Max, Solidworks
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
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
https://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
http://asana-cat.com/
2022 - 2023
Graphic Design Internship at Memorabilia Pack Company Ltd., Edinburgh, UK
Developed graphic design covers and leaflets for memorabilia packs
https://www.mempackcompany.com/
2021 - 2022
Internship at Digital Space Living Lab, Sofia, Bulgaria
Data analysis, web graphics design and video editing
https://digitalspaces.info/
2018 - 2019
Voluntary work at Smart Fab Lab, Sofia, Bulgaria
Designing 2D and 3D CAD and Sketchup models
https://www.smartfablab.org/en/
Education
2020 - now
2023
2015 - 2020
BA Hons - Product Design: The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Secondary Education at the American College of Sofia, Bulgaria
Exchange Semester - Industrial Design: Lund University, Sweden
References
Isla Munro, Head of Department, Product Design, The University of Edinburgh
email: isla.munro@ed.ac.uk
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