daniela Norvik (даниела Норвик)

Hey there! 👋🏻 I'm Daniela Norvik (née, Jankovska). I hold an MS in Design and Merchandising as a merit scholar from Colorado State University's College of Health and Human Sciences (2015); and a BS in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development from the University of Arkansas's Dale Bumpers College (2013), with a minor in Marketing (Entrepreneurship) from the Walton College of Business.

Originally hailing from Macedonia, a charming Eastern European gem, I embarked on my American journey at the age of 18. Since then, I've crisscrossed the USA, exploring its diverse landscapes and cultures. These days, I split my time between Toledo, OH, and the enchanting city of Tallinn, Estonia, where my husband proudly calls home.

My passion lies in the world of user-centered design and human factors engineering, particularly in the realm of apparel and textiles. My research journey has led me to collaborate with individuals across diverse domains, from fashion and medicine to fire science. I've been a driving force at every stage of the design and research process.

But my interests don't stop there. I've worn many hats – in my high school days, I directed an NGO called "Blue Sky" in Macedonia, supported by the British Council, to helping organize a global conference in Aurich, Germany, focused on youth contributions to tackling climate change. After graduating with my Master’s degree, I began teaching which was sparked by my involvement in a STEM Enrichment Program for middle school students while at CSU. I spent the last few years in HigherEd, guiding students through interdisciplinary courses that span the creative spectrum, from digital transformations to sourcing and operations management. Aside from working in academia professionally, I have also published several courses on Udemy, as well as for free on Youtube.

Lastly, I'm a wanderer at heart, exploring new cultures, traditions, and languages (fluent in 4!). I firmly believe that diverse perspectives fuel creative problem-solving and design thinking. I'm deeply passionate about social entrepreneurship, pondering the intersection of science, technology, arts, culture, economic empowerment, poverty alleviation, education, and environmental sustainability. In the world of apparel and textiles, I'm a vocal advocate for ecological integrity and social justice in fashion sustainability. To me, sustainability isn't an alternative – it's the solution in all forms of business.

When I'm not designing or catching up on the latest trends, you'll find me in the boxing ring, gliding down slopes, capturing moments through photography, or scaling rock walls. Life's an adventure, and I'm here for the ride!

Here’s a few quotes I get inspired by

Integrative thinkers know how to widen the scope of issues salient to the problem. They resist the “either/or” in favor of “both/and” and see nonlinear and multidirectional relationships as a source of inspiration, not contradiction. The most successful leaders… “embrace the mess.” - Tim Brown, Change by Design

Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible, serving us without drawing attention to itself. Bad design, on the other hand, screams out its inadequacies, making itself very noticeable. - Don Norman, The Design of Everyday Things

That combination of thought and action defines creative confidence: the ability to come up with new ideas and the courage to try them out. - Tom Kelley, Creative Confidence

To have a good idea, you must first have lots of ideas. - Linus Pauling

If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do. - Steve Jobs

No matter how you feel today, get up, dress up and show up. - Paulo Coelho

It is our choices that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities. - J.K. Rowling