ALUMNI INSIGHTS: Mirella Dimitrova — From Event Design to Immersive Worlds
With a background that stretches from Sofia to Scotland and Milan to Dubai, Mirella Dimitrova is a creative mind constantly in motion, shaping experiences where music, space, and storytelling meet. Her work blends event design and artist management with a strong visual sensibility, drawing from a passion for immersive environments and multisensory narratives.
While her journey into 3D computer graphics began recently, it quickly became a valuable tool to explore and prototype ideas, helping her give form and depth to creative concepts that exist beyond the flatness of a sketch or moodboard. For Mirella, 3D is not just about visuals, but about envisioning experiences before they come to life.
In this interview, she opens up about her international path, her creative approach, and how the language of 3D is quietly expanding beyond architecture into the realm of music, entertainment, and emotion.
Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your study background with our readers.
My name is Mirella Dimitrova, a Bulgarian exploring opportunity around the world. I am an Event and Exhibition Designer currently based in Dubai, working in Creative Events and Marketing for a Tomorrowland-inspired hospitality establishment. My role blends creative strategy, event coordination, artist management and marketing, with a strong focus on nightlife and DJ events.
What was your educational path, and how did it guide you toward your current career?
After graduating from a French-language high school in my hometown, Sofia, I moved to Scotland, UK, to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication. During that time, I worked in event logistics and coordination, which further pushed me to look for a Master’s that focused more on events, but with a strong emphasis on the creative side of the field. This is how I ended up in Milan, Italy, where I embarked on a Master’s in Event & Exhibition Design. Throughout my student years, I would occasionally take on volunteering or temporary jobs at festivals, which helped me shape my interest in exploring the organisation and creative development of music and art events. Fast forward to the end of my Master’s program, I had to find an internship, and I decided to reach out to a company in Dubai that I was really interested in. To my pleasant surprise, I was offered the opportunity to do my internship with them, and after graduating, I am now a full-time employee. My role focuses on DJ event coordination, artist management, creative strategy and marketing.
How did your knowledge of 3D computer graphics influence your studies and how does it impact your work today—whether in design, interiors, or other fields?
My first encounter with 3D computer graphics was during my Master’s course, and it immediately caught my interest. Although my knowledge is still limited, I’ve been teaching myself through tutorials in my free time, trying to explore different techniques and tools. I love the idea of being able to visualize concepts in a more immersive way, and I hope that one day I can fully incorporate this skill into bringing my own event concepts and space designs to life.
What’s the first project you worked on that gave you a strong sense of accomplishment? Why does it stand out?
I believe one of my first curriculum projects during my Master’s degree program gave me that strong sense of accomplishment. It was the first time I stepped into the role of a creative director, and I truly felt like I was in my element. The project involved staging a museum exhibition from start to finish—selecting the art and media to be showcased, working within specific spatial dimensions, and considering the overall ambiance through sound, AV, and lighting. It was a moment where I realized how much I enjoy curating immersive experiences and bringing a vision to life.
Which software and tools are your go-to choices, and what makes them indispensable for your work?
I use the Adobe Creative Cloud daily with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Fresco being my main go-to tools, and occasionally Illustrator and Premiere Pro. For presentations or quick designs, I rely on Canva.
The Adobe suite always ensures the best quality when it comes to event artwork and social media content. On the other hand, Canva helps create quick and easily accessible designs that are not usually used for commercial purposes.
What challenges did you encounter when learning 3D computer graphics, and how did you overcome them?
The first time I encountered 3D graphic design was during my Master’s course, and my biggest challenge was the limited time allocated to it. It’s such a deep and complex field, and I genuinely enjoyed the learning process, so I wish there had been more curriculum hours dedicated to it. I would have loved the opportunity to explore it further and have more resources to continue learning within an academic setting.
Looking back, are there any technical or creative skills you wish you had focused on earlier in your career?
If I could go back, I’d definitely have focused on mastering Adobe Suite and 3D graphic design earlier, especially since my ambitions now revolve around designing and coordinating creative event concepts. That being said, I believe everything happens when it’s meant to, and I’m grateful for the graphic design skills I’ve developed over the past few years. I’m excited to keep building on that knowledge and advancing my skills further.
Where do you see your work heading in the next few years? Are any exciting goals or ambitions on the horizon? Any trends or innovations you’re excited about?
I would love to design events of my own. To combine my passion for event organisation with having the creative freedom to envision a creative space, to collaborate with artists and designers into making an event special and unique. I believe I’m on the right path, and I’m confident that time will bring those opportunities my way.
What’s one essential lesson your study path has taught you so far, whether about 3D, design, or the creative process in general?
As a teenager, I remember creativity being categorized by one’s ability to draw, sing, play an instrument, or write. I’m fortunate to have a voice for singing, but I never imagined I could be considered creative in the visual field, especially since I didn’t see myself as good at drawing or sketching. Now, years later, I realize those were just social stigmas, and creativity isn’t something that can be limited to such categories. If I had the opportunity to explore and understand this earlier, maybe my career path would have been different—but who knows? What matters is that I believe I’m in the right place in life now, and while things might have turned out differently under different circumstances, I wouldn’t change a thing at the moment.
If you had unlimited resources – time, money, and tools – what would your ultimate professional dream project look like?
My ultimate professional dream project would be to design a large-scale immersive event experience that blends music, art, tech and design. I’d love to create a multi-sensory environment where every detail—from the stage and space design to the lighting, sound, and even the vibe of the venue—works together to transport guests into another world. Storytelling would be an important part of the journey as well. Collaborating with incredible artists, designers, and creatives, I’d aim to push boundaries and make the experience unforgettable.
