I’m Kimia Karimi, a Toronto-based designer.

I was born in Iran, where schools often prioritized math and science, leaving creativity as something I had to foster on my own. This experience taught me inner strength. When I had the rare opportunity to paint a vase at school, it felt like holding a magic brush, and those moments ignited my lifelong passion for design.

As a child, I didn’t just draw—I played the role of a designer. I created hand-drawn napkins for parties and special events, and I’d "convince" my family members to act like clients. Armed with an album full of colourful napkins I made with sharpies and markers, I’d pitch each design, explaining which would best suited their imaginary events. I guess I was a bit quirky in that sense, but that’s where it all started.

My first true "wow" moment with art came from Persian rugs. Thanks to my grandparents, I grew up surrounded by these intricate masterpieces. I’d lose myself in their patterns, imagining them as massive game boards or 2D gardens, each telling its own story.

When I immigrated to Canada, art became more than just a passion—it became a tool for survival. In a school of 3,000 where I didn’t know the language, I used art to express myself and connect with others. Though I initially pursued political science in university, I soon realized that design was my true calling. I shifted gears, enrolled in design school, and have been committed to it ever since.