Abby Hill
Sierra Podmore
Bridgette Leveroni
Heather
Nicole Fahey
Melinda Forster
Desirey Phillips
Michelle Oiwake
Daisy Jiang
Ariel Johnson
Ariel Johnson
Founder and Principal
Founding AFD in 2008 after working for Franklin Studios in hospitality design, Ariel entered into the recession with a relentless vision. With a passion for custom furniture design, she has injected a bespoke and editorial eclecticism that is breaking the Multi Family and Hospitality mold. Every project begins with a narrative story that the client and team can dig into. She has slowly grown her company into a full service design firm and takes pride in selecting projects that convey an artful way of living. A graduate from Art Center College of Design with a BS in Environmental Design.
Nicole Fahey
Senior Design Manager
In her nine years at AFD, Nicole has worked her way into the senior design manager position. Her specialized knowledge in high end multifamily design and project management has contributed to the great success of the company. Educated at UCLA’s Interior Architecture program and a BA from Loyola Marymount, Nicole’s technical skills are enhanced by her passion and work history in art curation.
Hannah Askey
Hannah Askey
Project Manager
A creative force, Hannah is well versed in commercial and multifamily design. A graduate from Virginia Commonwealth
University with a BFA in Interior Design, Hannah has worked for Hummell Associates as well as with smaller firms gaining her a valued skill set. Hannah manages her team and projects with a detailed and creative passion and her joy for her work is contagious. She is also a fine artist and has commissioned pieces in a few of AFD's projects.
Heather Johnson
Passionate, Creative, and Innovative. These are words that best describe Heather. She has professional experience in Commercial Interior and Experience Design and received her BFA in Interior Architecture from California State University, Long Beach. Heather is a designer, an artist, and a curator of exceptional spaces and extraordinary experiences. Her passion is to create not only unique and beautiful environments that capture the vision of our clients, but also create memorable experiences that will go beyond just pure architecture and interior design.
Job Captain
Daisy Jiang
Project Manager
With a holistic perspective, Daisy holds a Masters in Environmental Design from Art Center College of Design and a BS in Environmental Design from Shanghai Jiaotong University. She provides a depth of creative design that is humanistic and sensitive based on her experience working in international communities in over 20 regions.
Bridgette Leveroni
CAD Manager
Most recently having worked in high-end residential, serving exclusive clientele, Bridgette has come to the firm with strong architectural skills and project coordination. Bridgette gained most of her experience in multi-family projects at a firm in Downtown LA, while having studied Interior Design at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.
Georgi Lamas
Director of FF&E
Georgi's expertise in custom furniture design and fabrication has lead her to grow into higher management within the FF&E team. Georgi’s previous interiors experience at B-Huber design has refined her talents in sourcing, detail drawing and 3-D rendering. Her education in Industrial Design at Monterrey Institute of Technology gave wings to a passion for artisanal and local fabrication.
Jenai Carter
Project Engineer
Having worked in high-end residential design firms in San Francisco, Jenai is well versed in project logistics and fueled with passion for luxury design. Jenai has a BFA degree from the Academy of Art University in Interior Architecture & Design, and constantly pushes her technical skills with her attention to detail.
Michelle Zarraga
Project Engineer
Michelle comes to AFD with impeccable 3D modeling talents having worked in experiential and entertainment design. Having grown up in Tokyo, Japan attending various international schools, she provides a passionate and worldly view inspired by nature and animals. Michelle finished with a BFA in Interior Architecture Design from California State University Long Beach.
Sierra Podmore
Project Engineer
Sierra comes to AFD after spending the last 6 years honing her craft in High-End Residential, Textile Design, and Mulit-Family. Educated with a BFA in Interior Architecture from The Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach CA, Sierra consistently pushes herself creatively, whether that be in FF&E or in Architectural Elements. Her creative passion extends beyond design as you can find her cooking in the kitchen or talking about her latest recipe.
Desirey Phillips
Project Engineer
Originally from LIma Peru, Desirey has established a great interiors career in the US. A graduate from Westood College, she has applied ten years plus of experience in commercial and high end residential design. Her passion is in project coordination, 3D modeling and she makes her own hand made crafts on the weekends. Desirey loves her Australian Shepherd and travel.
Abby Hill
Project Engineer
Abby decided she wanted to follow her passion for design at NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. Abby pushed to expand her knowledge of commercial design projects at AFD and has been thriving here ever since. Her strengths span FF&E and interior architecture. She has many hobbies of painting, drawing, sewing as well as anything that she is able to be expressive with. When she is not using her creativity, you can find her out in nature either camping or on hikes.
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Melinda Forster
Purchasing Manager
Melinda has over 10 years experience managing design projects and procuring FF&E for interior designers. Prior to this Melinda worked in television production on high-end home design shows, and also as a photo stylist in New York. Melinda grew up in South Africa and enjoys making ceramic sculptures in her free time.
Arlen Arias
Project Engineer
Arlen believes design has no boundaries. She utilizes her 3d design skills to articulate conceptual ideas and technical knowledge. With Design Degrees from UPV in Valencia and University of Guadalajara, Arlen brings a joyful perspective to interior architecture. Arlen considers the holistic view, pulling experience with architecture, furniture design and styling into her work.
Elaine Abram
Project Engineer
With over nine years of industry experience, Elaine has gained a lot of wisdom regarding design processes. Her focus on detail and intention creates beautiful, cohesive and functional spaces for the end user. Experienced in both hospitality and multifamily, Elaine brings a technical and solution driven approach to her team. She is a graduate from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach. You can find her relaxing to country music and enjoying a new culinary challenge.