Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Karen Riano

Melbourne,VIC

Summary

I’m an architect with a strong passion for interior design, furniture, and home décor. Currently completing my English studies, I’m about to begin formal training in interior design to complement my architectural background. I’m particularly interested in the retail space, where design, customer experience, and functionality intersect. With a keen eye for aesthetics and spatial harmony, I’m excited to continue building a career that blends creativity, detail, and design-driven environments.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Retail Home Decor

In2homewares
Melbourne , Vic
02.2024 - 05.2025
  • Provide tailored customer service by offering product recommendations based on clients’ interior styling needs and preferences.
  • Assist clients in selecting home accessories that align with their space, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
  • Maintain visually compelling displays and showroom arrangements that reflect current interior design trends and seasonal themes.
  • Support visual merchandising efforts by rearranging layouts and creating vignettes that inspire customers and elevate the shopping experience.
  • Participate in product restocking, inventory checks, and receiving deliveries to ensure efficient store operations.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming store environment at all times.

Retail Interior Design & Visual Merchandising

Parque Arauco
Bogota, Colombia
09.2022 - 02.2023
  • Developed interior design concepts for retail expansions, refurbishments, and tenant fit-outs in commercial environments.
  • Reviewed and approved architectural and interior design proposals, ensuring visual coherence and compliance with brand standards.
  • Provided design and technical guidance on materiality, lighting, and layout according to Visual Merchandising and Architecture Manuals.
  • Supervised implementation of tenant fit-outs, ensuring quality execution and timely delivery within budget constraints.
  • Coordinated technical and design requirements with commercial teams, aligning space planning with brand identity and customer flow.
  • Updated design and merchandising guidelines in line with evolving brand strategies; led onboarding and training for new teams and retail assets.

Architect

PEI Assest Management
Bogota, Colombia
02.2019 - 09.2022
  • Provided guidance on interior design elements such as furniture layout and fixtures selection.
  • Coordinated activities between architects, designers, engineers and contractors throughout the duration of a project.
  • Created blueprints, drawings and detailed schematics of proposed structures.

Designer's Assistant

Ospinas & cia
Bogota, Colombia
08.2016 - 08.2018
  • Reviewed and coordinated architectural and interior design proposals for retail stores, ensuring compliance with brand identity and visual merchandising standards.
  • Managed on-site supervision of retail fit-outs, ensuring quality finishes and timely execution aligned with design intent.
  • Approved design packages for commercial brands, including furniture layout, lighting, and storefront concepts in line with visual strategy.
  • Led the handover and restitution of retail units, ensuring proper space presentation and readiness for opening.
  • Provided post-occupancy support and maintained strong communication with brand representatives and internal stakeholders.
  • Handled permitting processes for retail construction and adaptation projects, aligning technical requirements with design goals.

Education

IELTS

Australian Pacific College
06-2025

General English -

Greenwich College
Melbourne
06-2024

Bachelor in Architecture -

University Piloto of Colombia
Bogota - Colombia
01-2016

Skills

  • Interior design
  • Technical drawing
  • Retail design
  • Customer service
  • Team collaboration
  • Space planning

Languages

English
Professional
Spanish
Full Professional

Timeline

Retail Home Decor

In2homewares
02.2024 - 05.2025

Retail Interior Design & Visual Merchandising

Parque Arauco
09.2022 - 02.2023

Architect

PEI Assest Management
02.2019 - 09.2022

Designer's Assistant

Ospinas & cia
08.2016 - 08.2018

IELTS

Australian Pacific College

General English -

Greenwich College

Bachelor in Architecture -

University Piloto of Colombia

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Karen Riano