I am a driven, outgoing and hard working individual that strives to deliver excellence throughout my work. I take pride in my enthusiasm, motivation and ability to always take on new challenges. I thrive best in a collaborative environment, contributing new outlooks and ideas to a team.
My skill set and attributes have been developed both within my education and out, in which I have developed communication and leadership from a range of groups through difficult situations, performing within a creative, competitive, high-pressured environment. I characterize myself with an approachable and enthusiastic demeanor, enabling me to engage, adapt, and build relationships with individuals.
My interests lie in innovative, sustainable constructions, with a diverse range of materiality that are applied to both commercial and residential projects, and I am driven to seek unique opportunities that broaden my perspective, enhance my skills, and challenge my capabilities so I can continuously learn, adapt and grow my professional development, cultivating a versatile and insightful understanding to increase my experiences.
My skill set and attributes have been developed both within my education and out, in which I have developed communication and leadership from a range of groups through difficult situations, performing within a creative, competitive, high-pressured environment. I characterize myself with an approachable and enthusiastic demeanor, enabling me to engage, adapt, and build relationships with individuals.
My interests lie in innovative, sustainable constructions, with a diverse range of materiality that are applied to both commercial and residential projects, and I am driven to seek unique opportunities that broaden my perspective, enhance my skills, and challenge my capabilities so I can continuously learn, adapt and grow my professional development, cultivating a versatile and insightful understanding to increase my experiences.
Education
The University of Edinburgh (2021-2025)
MA (with Honours) in Architecture. A project-based course, with a wide variety of building types in both design and technology projects requiring self-directed study. Projects required to incorporate inclusive, environmental strategy, materiality, and structure through a highly iterative design process to refine and develop initial concepts and strategies into finalized designs. Currently in Year 3.
Bedford Girls’ School (2016-2021)
A- Levels (Textiles A*, Maths A, Chemistry A)
EPQ (Architecture, A*).
GCSE'S (Textiles 9, Maths 9, Chemistry 9, Biology 9, Physics 9, English Language 8, English Literature 8, Fine Art 8, Geography 8, German 7)
MA (with Honours) in Architecture. A project-based course, with a wide variety of building types in both design and technology projects requiring self-directed study. Projects required to incorporate inclusive, environmental strategy, materiality, and structure through a highly iterative design process to refine and develop initial concepts and strategies into finalized designs. Currently in Year 3.
Bedford Girls’ School (2016-2021)
A- Levels (Textiles A*, Maths A, Chemistry A)
EPQ (Architecture, A*).
GCSE'S (Textiles 9, Maths 9, Chemistry 9, Biology 9, Physics 9, English Language 8, English Literature 8, Fine Art 8, Geography 8, German 7)
Architectural Experience
Iguana Architects , London (August 2023)
Shadowed lead architects, observing and participating in various stages of project development, such as conceptual design, drafting, model creation. By shadowing architects, I gained insights into real-world applications of design principles, construction methods, and the collaborative nature of the architectural profession.
Shadowed lead architects, observing and participating in various stages of project development, such as conceptual design, drafting, model creation. By shadowing architects, I gained insights into real-world applications of design principles, construction methods, and the collaborative nature of the architectural profession.
Awards
Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Visual Arts (2021)
Issued by Bedford Girls’ School
3rd Place within TOP 15 of International Design Competition: Reimagining Cities towards Carbon Neutrality (2023)
Issued by UEH - ISCM
Issued by Bedford Girls’ School
3rd Place within TOP 15 of International Design Competition: Reimagining Cities towards Carbon Neutrality (2023)
Issued by UEH - ISCM
Extra - Curricular
Social Secretary, University of Edinburgh Student Architecture Society, City of Edinburgh (August 2023-Present)
Event organisation, co-ordination and management for ESALA. Running commitee meetings and conceptualisation of social events, such as the Architecture Ball (250+ people) and Winter Ball (200+ people).
Event organisation, co-ordination and management for ESALA. Running commitee meetings and conceptualisation of social events, such as the Architecture Ball (250+ people) and Winter Ball (200+ people).
ECA Student Representative Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh (July 2023-Present)
Elected for coordination of student representation and support for Year 3 MA Architecture within Edinburgh College of Art. Working in partnership with staff and other Student Representatives through SSLC to allow for my own personal and professional development, as well as ensuring the enhanced communication, response, and quality of program experience.
Digital Creator, City of Edinburgh (Feb 2023-Present)
Personal self-driven design account on Instagram, @xindidrawshouses, displaying a collection of ongoing and archived work showcasing a range of media. Displaying my interests within sculptural textiles, digital design and photography, as well as showcasing evolution within projects.
Elected for coordination of student representation and support for Year 3 MA Architecture within Edinburgh College of Art. Working in partnership with staff and other Student Representatives through SSLC to allow for my own personal and professional development, as well as ensuring the enhanced communication, response, and quality of program experience.
Digital Creator, City of Edinburgh (Feb 2023-Present)
Personal self-driven design account on Instagram, @xindidrawshouses, displaying a collection of ongoing and archived work showcasing a range of media. Displaying my interests within sculptural textiles, digital design and photography, as well as showcasing evolution within projects.
Volunteering
ESALA Climate Action (Sep 2021-Present)
Member of ECAN, which aims to encourage students to raise awareness and knowledge of climate change.
Member of ECAN, which aims to encourage students to raise awareness and knowledge of climate change.
Skills
Software:
Autodesk AutoCAD, Rhino 3D and Vray, Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator & ProCreate, Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook)
Soft Skills:
Team Co-Ordination and Collaboration, I am accustomed to operating as part of a design team, and enjoy working collaboratively and communicating within a studio environment
Time Management, I regularly manage multiple projects of work at once, and always in control
Design:
Sketching/Hand drawing, for design development and iteration.
Model Making, I am experienced in workshop machinery within a range of different mediums and at various scales, for both design exploration and final presentation
Autodesk AutoCAD, Rhino 3D and Vray, Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator & ProCreate, Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook)
Soft Skills:
Team Co-Ordination and Collaboration, I am accustomed to operating as part of a design team, and enjoy working collaboratively and communicating within a studio environment
Time Management, I regularly manage multiple projects of work at once, and always in control
Design:
Sketching/Hand drawing, for design development and iteration.
Model Making, I am experienced in workshop machinery within a range of different mediums and at various scales, for both design exploration and final presentation
Work Experience
Keyholder/ Team Leader, Card Factory, Bedford (June-September 2023)
Managing the team and store ensuring excellent customer service and maintaining store and stock, directing, overseeing and training staff to adhere to company standards. Additionally trained in bank/ till reconciliation as a keyholder.
Management Leader, Cinch presents Creamfields with Festaff, Daresbury, Cheshire (2022/2023)
Worked for Festaff for Creamfields Festival, managing and co-ordinating different teams throughout the festival. Interacted and worked with over 70,000 people during working periods, always maintaining a helpful, friendly attitude to everyone. Operated at a high pressure pace with 100% accuracy and organization.
Managing the team and store ensuring excellent customer service and maintaining store and stock, directing, overseeing and training staff to adhere to company standards. Additionally trained in bank/ till reconciliation as a keyholder.
Management Leader, Cinch presents Creamfields with Festaff, Daresbury, Cheshire (2022/2023)
Worked for Festaff for Creamfields Festival, managing and co-ordinating different teams throughout the festival. Interacted and worked with over 70,000 people during working periods, always maintaining a helpful, friendly attitude to everyone. Operated at a high pressure pace with 100% accuracy and organization.
Languages
English: Native
Mandarin: Proficient
Mandarin: Proficient
References
Dr Nikolia Kartalou: {n.kartalou@ed.ac.uk} - Cohort Lead Year 2, The University of Edinburgh