By Donna Heiderstadt

Creativity has been at the center of Anna Blinova’s universe ever since she was a young girl in Ekaterinburg, the third largest city in Russia. “My childhood was a vibrant tapestry of artistic and imaginative endeavors,” said the 29-year-old Creative & Design Director at New York-based VIGO, a position she has held for almost six years. Anna was so passionate and particular about her design ideal that even her childhood bedroom reflected her affinity for minimalism and organization. “The room had pristine white walls as a backdrop, with color-accented shelves housing an array of books,” she recalled. “The centerpiece of the room was a very long corner table, which served as a versatile workspace for my creative projects.”

Those projects transformed into actual buildings when Anna studied architecture in her hometown before finding her true calling in kitchen-and-bath design after arriving in New York in 2016 on an O1 work visa. “My background in architecture provides me with a solid foundation in understanding spatial dynamics, proportions and aesthetics,” she said. “This knowledge enriches my design process, enabling me to create harmonious and cohesive spaces that stand out for their thoughtfully planned layouts.”

The K+B industry has noticed. Anna, who is active in NKBA’s Manhattan chapter, has been the recipient of numerous national and international awards for her work at VIGO. These include the 2019 Best of Product Award by Interior Design magazine, 2019 iF Design Award and 2018 Architizer A+ Award. Anna was also honored as Interior Design’s Creative Director of the Year in 2020.

Anna is currently working with her team on VIGO’s booth for KBIS 2024, which features “a minimalist architectural design that seamlessly aligns with our brand guidelines” but also incorporates an artistic installation that simulates the flow of water. While she is proud of her ability to “think critically and problem solve with a positive and proactive mindset,” her super power is meticulous attention to design. “I believe that the smallest details can make the biggest impact,” she said.  

Another source of pride, said Anna, is her “journey as an immigrant, having started from scratch and achieved significant milestones on my own.” These days, however, Anna is far from alone as she and her husband, Bob, are parents to a two-year-old son, Robert. Somehow, she also finds time to share her creativity by curating content for Instagram and TikTok. “Through these platforms, I invite my followers into my world,” Anna explained, “providing glimpses of my daily life and the things I am passionate about.”