PERSONAL STATEMENT

Anika's journey into design was driven by a determination to live through real-world experiences because great design is not just seen—it’s felt, tasted, heard, and smelled. This multisensory approach is vital in a world that is constantly trying to convince us that everything exists within a tiny phone.

Her career as a Senior Designer features significant achievements, serving as the lead designer for multiple new-build homes, including an 18,000 sqft luxury residence nestled within a plum orchard, as well as gyms, spas, renovations, and restorations. Projects that Anika has led have been featured in publications such as Toronto Life, House and Home, House Beautiful, and My Domaine.

Anika's first passion, becoming a Reiki Master, taught her the transformative art of listening and understanding the energies that spaces hold and emit. This insight helps her design environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also feel good. In her quest to bridge the gap between physical and digital design experiences, Anika has recently ventured into interior photography. She is committed to mastering this craft to capture and convey the rawness and vibe of real-world spaces through a photo.

Anika views design as a holistic journey. She genuinely believes the most authentic and impactful designs come from a deep understanding of oneself and finding ways to fuel inspiration. Her personal approach involves spending time in nature, traveling, and scouring vintage markets around the world for unique furniture, lighting, and accessories. This passion has also taken her to various regions of Turkey at her current design firm, where she was solely tasked with sourcing stone and antique pottery while building and fostering supplier relationships.

skills

professional experience

education

technical proficiency

Design Proficiency: Expertise in space planning, color theory, lighting design, and furniture selection. Proficient in creating detailed mood boards, and 3D visualizations.

Project Management: Strong organizational skills, with a proven track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines. Experience in budgeting, scheduling, and overseeing project teams to ensure timely and cost-effective outcomes.

Materials Knowledge: Deep understanding of a wide range of building materials, finishes, and furnishings suitable for both residential and commercial spaces. Knowledgeable in sustainable design practices and materials.

Client Relations: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with clients, understand their vision, and translate it into actionable design plans. Experienced in conflict resolution.

Collaboration and Leadership: Ability to lead internal and external design teams, collaborating effectively with architects, contractors, and vendors to achieve cohesive and desirable outcomes.

Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, adept at preparing proposals, presenting design concepts, and documenting project details clearly and concisely.

Trend Awareness: Continuously updating knowledge on current trends in interior design and integrating innovative concepts and technologies into design projects.

senior interior designer, spaces by jacflash 2020 — present

  • Lead designer for over 20+ projects of small and large scale, from initial design process, to construction, to project management, to staging, resulting in increased client satisfaction and increase in repeat business and referrals

  • Successfully expanded business operations by delivering high-quality project completions, growing the firm from 2 employees to 6 within four years, and playing a key role in the hiring process.

  • Developed comprehensive design proposals for clients, which included presentations of design concepts, construction drawings, custom furniture plans, and budget estimates.

  • Sole representative of the firm selected to travel to Turkey for a new business venture; established relationships with suppliers, hand-picked antique items as per the company budget, communicated project design details with suppliers, and negotiated pricing.

  • Actively involved in all major design presentations, including comprehensive design and budget presentations to clients, sales pitch to prospective clients, presenting designs for publication consideration, and collaborating on brand partnerships.

  • Developed AutoCAD drawing standards and operational systems for the firm, implemented an organized filing system, and created essential documents, such as meeting minutes, to enhance communication between designers and all trades involved.

junior interior designer, kantelberg design 2018-2020

  • Assistant designer for the "Evolved Living" condo, focusing on healthy interiors; final design featured in prestigious publications, including The Globe and Mail.

  • Contributed to design development process including research, site measures,

    creation of concepts and generation of presentation material

  • Assisted in production of construction documents, specification packages, and

    review of shop drawings

  • Collaborated with senior design team in vendor research as well as FF&E selection

    and custom furniture designs

senior style advisor, aritzia 2016-2021

  • Recognized as top seller; consistently exceeded personal sales goals by over 50%

    and collaborated with colleagues and management to meet store targets

  • Honed customer service skills by addressing client needs and building lasting

    relationships with routine clients

  • Assisted visual merchandising team with product moves, inventory and window

    displays based on seasonal changes, business needs, and design schematics

design studio associate, mattamy homes 2015-2016

  • Developed presentation skills by preparing presentation materials for new

    employees and leading formal tours of the design studio

  • Exceeded customer service expectations; used strong understanding of colour

    and material palettes to assist with colour selections, and design questions

  • Responsible for adding creative imagery and updating homeowner

    design guides based on customer orders, and architectural and design changes

Sheridan College, Bachelor of Interior Design, CIDA Accredited 2016 — 2020

toronto metropolitan university (ryerson), Bachelor of commerce 2013 — 2015

  • AUTOCAD

  • SKETCHUP

  • LUMION

  • ENSCAPE

  • ADOBE (PHOTOSHOP, IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATOR, LIGHTROOM)

  • MICROSOFT OFFICE