Valeria Zhukova | Portfolio
⊹ Selected Works
My name is Valeria Zhukova. I am currently a senior student at the Interior Design Faculty of the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, and I plan to graduate in 2027.Professional skills and tools: I am proficient in industry-standard programs such as Revit, Photoshop, 3ds Max, and Figma. Additionally, I am actively exploring methods for integrating neural networks into my design work.Additional skills: Photography, videography, and color research play a significant role in my professional practice. We will delve into these aspects in detail following the presentation of my main projects.
⊹ Design project for the «Kolos» pavilion
This project illustrates my approach to complex space planning. In this work, I created a clear scheme that reflects the functions of a large public space.The pavilion’s concept reveals Russia through the image of an ear of grain—a symbol of nature, origins, and vitality. By combining the natural element with innovation, the project presents Russia as a «genetic code for the future, ” where nature and technology create a sustainable world.
The objectives were to integrate the form into the landscape, differentiate the needs of various audiences, and create a concept reflecting the nation’s future.
⊹ The design project «School — A Puzzle»
This was a significant project that taught me collaborative teamwork. Alongside my colleagues, we developed a concept that guided the project’s structure. My role focused specifically on the kindergarten component. The leitmotif and formative element of the School is a unique puzzle shape, custom-designed for the project, combined with the standard puzzle form. This symbolizes growth, development, and the synthesis of «multifaceted fragments of knowledge» into a cohesive whole.
The main objective of this project was to create a welcoming and educational space that would express a strong concept and reflect the values of the school and kindergarten.
⊹ Design project for the «Oboo» hotel
This work was pivotal in shaping the conceptual approach. Through researching a specific location, I derived the main idea for the project.The hotel’s design concept is rooted in Buryat beliefs, which hold that each space is inhabited by its own spirits. For the most powerful of these, an oboo—a pyramid constructed of stones—is built. Consequently, the oboo serves as the foundation of the project, permeating every interior detail, from stone tabletops and wall panels to full-scale installations.
An important aspect of the hotel project was preserving the site’s historical value while redefining it in a contemporary manner.
⊹ LAYERS
Besides interior design, I’m practicing in product design. In this project, I designed and prototyped a lamp made from natural materials—paper and wood.The LAYERS lamp emerged from personal impressions gained during travels to Asian countries, where light is perceived not only as a functional element but also as a tool for contemplation and creating a special atmosphere.The lamp is based on the principle of layering, allowing light and surface to interact subtly, forming a meditative visual image.
⊹ BLUEINK CABINET
The tattoo artist’s studio is conceived as an interior piece that fuses functionality, aesthetics, and environmental consciousness. Its doors are crafted from reclaimed scraps of various woods—each detail carries a trace of its past, and together they form a «living mosaic.»
This approach minimizes waste while elevating the product into an art object.
⊹ About Photography and Videography
An important part of my work involves exploring form, color, and space by capturing them through lenses.
PrismIn this piece, I constructed a multi-layered image of an urban setting by merging photographs captured with various devices. Each image carries its own unique optics, texture, and color rendering, meaning their combination transforms the street into a space observed across different moments in time. The project illustrates that every perspective and device possesses its own singularity.
