I work at the intersection between public space, publishing and research. I use fieldwork, participatory practices, mapping and hands-on work (mostly with wood, textile, print) as methods in my work. I am interested in grass-root initiatives, alternative culture environments, and off-grid narratives. I am infinitely curious how our built environment shapes our behaviour and how this is manifested in a broader cultural landscape. I embrace collaboration, learning through making, and critical thinking. (she/her)

Victoria Paeva

I work at the intersection between public space, publishing and research. I use fieldwork, participatory practices, mapping and hands-on work (mostly with wood, textile, print) as methods in my work. I am interested in grass-root initiatives, alternative culture environments, and off-grid narratives. I am infinitely curious how our built environment shapes our behaviour and how this is manifested in a broader cultural landscape. I embrace collaboration, learning through making, and critical thinking. (she/her)

Available to hire

I work at the intersection between public space, publishing and research. I use fieldwork, participatory practices, mapping and hands-on work (mostly with wood, textile, print) as methods in my work. I am interested in grass-root initiatives, alternative culture environments, and off-grid narratives.

I am infinitely curious how our built environment shapes our behaviour and how this is manifested in a broader cultural landscape. I embrace collaboration, learning through making, and critical thinking. (she/her)

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Advanced
Bulgarian
Fluent

Work Experience

Junior Art Director Graphic Designer Editorial & Exhibition Designer at Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo
October 31, 2024 - August 12, 2025
In this role, I developed styleguides for the institution’s campaign visual identities, mentored interns in campaign design processes, and designed and prototyped signage. I managed the print workshop, guiding users and handling printing tasks for posters, booklets, and flyers. I translated research content into visual and spatial formats such as installations, spatial structures, and publications. Additionally, I designed exhibitions and editorial layouts emphasizing content, narration, and user experience, collaborating closely with curators, artists, architects, and fabricators, and supervised installation phases.
Junior Art Director Graphic Designer Editorial & Exhibition Designer at Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo
October 31, 2023 - August 12, 2025
Responsibilities included concept development, designing editorial and exhibition layouts, ensuring visual clarity and consistency, and collaborating with curators, artists, architects, and fabricators. I also supervised or assisted during installation phases. The work focused on transforming research content into multi-format visual and spatial presentations.
Freelance Graphic Designer & Printmaker at Freelance
May 1, 2020 - Present
Provided concept design to implementation services for cultural festivals, brands, institutions, and NGOs. Created visual identities and logo designs, print designs, and managed projects. Conducted research on urban trends and community impacts, facilitated participatory placemaking, and designed and built spatial installations. Also mentored students in design and build processes using wood.
Graphic Designer at inkpression ltd
April 30, 2020 - August 12, 2025
Worked in an award-winning print design studio, focusing on designing and producing high-end print materials and packaging for luxury brands. Specialized in special print techniques such as hot foil stamping, letterpress, and silkscreen, handling everything from file preparation to final print delivery.
Architectural & Urban Designer at transformatori association
May 31, 2018 - August 12, 2025
Led conceptual design to implementation for cultural festivals, brands, institutions, and NGOs, including visual identities, logo and print design. Managed projects, conducted research on urban trends and the impact of interventions, facilitated participatory placemaking, and designed and built spatial installations while mentoring students.
Junior Art Director at Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo
October 1, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Developed concepts and style guides for visual campaign identities, mentored interns in the design process, designed signage systems, managed the print workshop, and provided user guidance. Created exhibition and editorial designs based on content, narrative, and desired experience, ensuring visual clarity and collaborating closely with curators, artists, architects, and producers.
Graphic Designer, Editorial & Exhibition Designer at Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo
October 1, 2023 - August 20, 2025
Worked on the conceptual and practical implementation of spatial and visual projects, contributed to exhibition design and editorial layouts driven by content and narrative, and collaborated in cross-disciplinary teams to ensure design coherence.
Freelance Graphic Designer & Printmaker at Freelance / Basel–Zürich
April 1, 2020 - August 20, 2025
Designed for an award-winning print design studio including high-quality print production and luxury packaging design. Specialized in advanced printing techniques such as hot foil stamping, letterpress, and screen printing, managing from file preparation to final print with high standards of design and quality.
Graphic Designer, Architecture & Urban Space Designer at inkpression ltd / Sofia, Bulgaria
May 1, 2018 - August 20, 2025
Developed concepts and produced designs for cultural festivals, small brands, institutions, and NGOs. Managed projects and coordinated teams, researched urban development and social needs, and participated in designing public spaces and architectural competitions. Led student workshops in timber construction and collaborated on spatial installations.
Architectural Intern at Funkt Architects / Sofia, Bulgaria
September 1, 2014 - August 20, 2025
Contributed to architecture competition entries, created design drawings using ArchiCAD and AutoCAD, and engaged in timber construction and furniture design.
Architectural designer / placemaker at Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo
May 1, 2017 - May 1, 2017
Architectural design and placemaking for a youth culture space in Zürich; collaboration with teams; development of timber and wood-based interventions; engagement with local community.
Architectural Designer at Transformatori Association
June 1, 2014 - June 1, 2014
Worked on architectural and community-oriented design projects in Sofia, Bulgaria, including public space initiatives and participatory design.
Architectural Designer at Funkt Architects
June 1, 2014 - June 1, 2014
Provided architectural design support in Sofia, with emphasis on timber construction and project documentation.

Education

MA Visual Communication and Iconic Research at Basel School of Design
September 1, 2014 - June 1, 2017
BA Architecture at NBU, Sofia, Bulgaria
September 1, 2009 - September 1, 2013
Bachelor in Architecture at Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
September 1, 2009 - September 1, 2013
Master in Visual Communication and Image Research at Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel, Switzerland
September 1, 2014 - May 1, 2017
MA Visual Communication & Iconic Research at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
October 1, 2022 - October 1, 2024

Qualifications

Emerging Talents Design Prototype Grant
January 1, 2024 - August 12, 2025
Conference Speaker: Commons in Design
January 1, 2023 - August 12, 2025
Publication: Commons in Design
January 1, 2023 - August 12, 2025
Exhibition: New Horizon Of Design Education
January 1, 2022 - August 12, 2025
Exhibition: Swiss Graphic Design Reimagined
January 1, 2021 - August 12, 2025
Swiss Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students
January 1, 2020 - August 12, 2025
Design Prototype Grant for Emerging Talents
January 1, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Schweizer Exzellenz-Stipendium für ausländische Studierende
January 1, 2020 - August 20, 2025
BA Architecture
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Design Prototype Grant - Emerging Talents with workshop matters (Pro Helvetia / CH)
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025
Finalist - Bloomberg Mayor Innovation Challenge (Urban Food Kiosk: No More Food Waste)
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025
Korea Swiss Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students - Research project for culture mapping
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025
Exhibiting: New Horizon of Design Education with workshop matters
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025
Honourable Mention - ShabbyShabby Apartments: rethinking home and public space
January 11, 2030 - November 4, 2025

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Other