Azra Fifić
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
MAIL: azra.fific98@gmail.com
WEB: linktr.ee/azrafific
TEL: +387 60/354 - 8536
Profile
A reliable, detail-oriented and resourceful interior designer, passionate about the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of those she designs for.
Languages
Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian (Native)
English (Fluent) German (Intermediate)
Education
Master in Interior Design
University of Oklahoma (OU), USA Aug 2021 - May 2023
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Bachelor of Interior Design
University of Oklahoma (OU). USA Aug 2017 - May 2021
Graduated with distinction
International Baccalaureate (IB) United World College (UWC) in Mostar Aug 2015 - May 2017
Skills
Collaboration
Adaptability & Quick Thinking
Customer Service
Cultural Sensitivity
Creative Problem Solving
Safety Consciousness
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH & AWARDS
OU Sue Williams Advocacy Award I May ‘23
In recognition of my advocacy and support of international students at OU
Gibbs Design Activism Award I April ‘22
Inaugural grant recipient for my graduate research project ‘Interior Design and Placemaking‘, conducted in collaboration with Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City.
LEADERSHIP
WEF’s Global Shapers Community
Founding Team Member: Sarajevo Hub
World Economic Forum’s youth organization focused on promoting youth activism, community engagement and sustainability around the globe.
International Advisory Committee (IAC)
President for 2022/23 academic year
OU’s largest international student organization representing 2000+ students and 130 nationalities
WORK EXPERIENCE
Kalea Interior Designer
Apr 2024 - present Sarajevo, BiH
- Collaborating closely with clients to develop personalized design solutions, focusing on functionality, aesthetics, and practical needs.Presenting design concepts using 3D modeling software (AutoCAD, Corpus, SketchUp) for client and internal reviews.
- Providing expert advice on material selections and hardware options to ensure high-quality, durable designs.
- Conducting site visits to ensure accurate spatial analysis, measurements and potential layout enhancements. Coordinating with installers to ensure seamless furniture installs, meeting high quality standards and client expectations.
Levity Breakfast House Student Designer I Internship
Oct 2022 - Jun 2023 Norman, OK, USA
- Designed Norman’s inaugural “breakfast house” during master’s studies.
- Utilized Procreate, Autodesk Revit and Enscape for schematics, design, and visualization.
- Managed all project aspects: design problems and project needs identification, concept development, design development, site visits, and branding integration.
- Ensured project’s compliance with local building codes and regulations
- Phase I construction was completed in spring 2024, delivering a visually appealing, functional, and brand-consistent community gathering place. Final FF&E selection was determined by the client and contractors.
OU Division of Interior Design
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Aug 2021 - May 2023 Norman, OK, USA
- Assisted in teaching and mentoring a total of 45 students, guiding them through the most challenging course in the degree program.
- Conducted regular meetings with students to provide support, address concerns, and ensure their understanding of course material.
- Demonstrated strong time management skills by adhering to strict deadlines for grading and providing timely feedback to students in a dyinamic academic environment.
- Collaborated with the division’s director to organize events for alumni and industry professionals, enhancing interpersonal skills, flexibility, and attention to detail
Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design
Sales & Design Assistant - Summer Internship
May 2022 - Aug 2022 Norman, OK, USA
- Excelled in a high-end furniture sales position, catering to the tastes and preferences of discerning clientele by maintaining a polished personal image that mirrored their style.
- Demonstrated deep knowledge of a wide range of furniture brands and products, recommending selections tailored to each client’s individual needs and preferences.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients through attentive listening, observing their behaviors, and actively engaging in conversation to understand their stories and tastes.
- Maintained the store floor at the highest level of organization and aesthetics, drawing upon observations of supervisor techniques to continuously enhance service quality and customer satisfaction
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
VOLUNTEERING & PART-TIME WORK
Design Consultant I Oct 2023 - Jun 2024 I Sarajevo, BiH & Munich, Germany
Served as a design consultant for the renovation of a well-known restaurant in Sarajevo and a bachelor apartment in Munich, Germany. Conducted comprehensive site analysis and user interviews to identify spatial needs. Developed initial design concepts, provided guidance on material selections and design elements, and created phased implementation plans to allow efficient budget management.
Senior Camp Counselor I Jul 2017 - Aug 2020 I Changshu, China
Supervised a team of 20 Counselors and their smaller camp-groups, created own interior design workshop centered around sustainability, collaboration, research, and creative problem solving.
Yoga Instructor I Aug 2015 - May 2017 I Mostar, BiH
Facilitated beginner and intermediate yoga classes for fellow UWC Students once a week.
Refugee Camp Volunteer I Aug 2016 - May 2017 I Mostar, BiH
Conducted weekly visits to elderly living at the local refugee camp to provide company while simultaneously maintaning updates on their wellbeing and assessing their needs.
