Meet Anya Berlova | Student, Interdisciplinary Researcher, Illustrator, & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anya Berlova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anya, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been drawn to the creative sphere. I believe that art in different forms can be a very powerful tool for spreading ideas, for developing conversations around important topics. ‘Art’ encompasses multiple sources of expression, be it film, or music, or illustration, or something else, each carries an immense potential to speak to people in interesting ways. I have personally been fascinated by illustration and film, I’ve felt that I can use these two areas to create work that can be impactful and evoke emotion. I think there is something particularly exciting in ‘the multidisciplinary realm.’ At one point, I decided to combine my passions for art and business. I founded my first startup, Anya Berlova Studio, and created two drawn characters, Sheepers and Puggie, who possess a childlike curiosity and love of adventure, and are not afraid to stand out. I have an illustration/photography series on Instagram (@anyaberlovaofficial) that follows their travels and reactions to different news and events, and with this I hope to make people smile or laugh, but also learn something in the process. Over the years I’ve done different projects in illustration, animation, and film, and I hope my work can be engaging for both children and adults.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the founder of two startups, Anya Berlova Studio and Funtasia Digital, which combine various creative initiatives in technology, illustration, animation, film, and fashion. My ventures aim to create an impact in society, including encouraging people to build resilience against bullying/peer pressure and embrace what makes them unique. One of our projects is the fashion line, which you can find at anyaberlova.com. I’m very thankful to each person who contributed to it. The collection includes shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags with artwork and slogans that I have designed. I want each person who wears or carries around my items to feel confident.
Recently, my team and I have been working on a mobile game for children related to bullying prevention. It’s within the EdTech sphere and offers research-backed learning in combination with entertainment.
Startup development hasn’t been an easy process, especially from the side of securing funding. Often, people try to find excuses and ways to ignore the problem of bullying. But, doing something — that might help someone, somewhere — is better than doing nothing. Just in the US, every day, 160,000 students skip school because they are afraid of bullying. It’s a big problem, and every action that can help reduce it is important.
A few months ago, I gave a TED talk in Florida on “What apes can teach us about bullying.” It was great to have the opportunity to share my thoughts and ideas through such an inspiring platform.
I also gave another (virtual) TED talk in April at the University of Sussex in the UK, which was pretty exciting. It is called “How Virtual Reality can make us kinder.” The talk is about how we can use new technologies such as Virtual Reality to combat loneliness; there is some highly intriguing research happening in this area.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If it was a week long trip to Colorado? I’d say to explore Boulder, Denver, Estes Park, and Colorado Springs. In Boulder, take some time to explore the shops, restaurants, and cafes on Pearl Street. On some evenings, you can find some brilliant street musicians there. Alpine Modern Cafe is a fun place to stop by in the afternoon for a coffee break. An excellent sightseeing location is the CU Boulder campus. It has lovely architecture and excellent views of the mountains. There are many spots that are quiet, where you can really be immersed in nature and your thoughts, and those where you can be part of a vibrant and energetic crowd of students, faculty, and members of the Boulder community.
In Denver, check out the Denver Art Museum and take a stroll through Cherry Creek.
In Estes Park, a must-see location is the Stanley Hotel, best known for serving as inspiration for Stephen King’s Shining. Exploring its historical halls and hedge maze provides for an exciting (albeit slightly spooky) experience. Also, while walking through the Estes Park downtown, check out some glass blowing demonstrations!
And in Colorado Springs, definitely pay a visit to the Garden of the Gods for some gorgeous scenery. The colors are impressive!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?                                               I am grateful to each person who has supported me. Support is incredibly important; when you know someone believes in you and what you are doing, it is so motivational and energizing. Even simple words of support are valuable and can mean a lot. So, thank you to my family, friends, faculty, teachers, mentors, event organizers, and, of course, my team!

Website: https://anyaberlova.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anyaberlovaofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anyaberlovaofficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-uvDKmpmIeqL_7XXUo8F-g

Other: TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H33WJ6oMoJM https://youtu.be/23fDHEHtuN0