Staff Spotlight – Petroc Lecturer Olga Inspires Students With Global Design Industry Success

Petroc Higher Education lecturer Olga, founder of Olenka Design, is inspiring the next generation of creatives, not just through her teaching, but through her own remarkable journey in the world of design.

Alongside lecturing on Petroc’s degree-level Art courses, Olga runs her own successful business creating vibrant, intricate wallpaper and fabric designs, fusing traditional folklore with modern colour palettes. Her designs have caught the eye of customers and interiors enthusiasts around the world. Under her brand Olenka Design, she brings a unique flair to interiors, fusing her creative background with a bold, colourful aesthetic.

Olga’s journey into design was anything but conventional. Originally pursuing creative interests, she found herself falling into an exciting career as a floor pattern designer for retail giant Target. The role saw her traveling the globe, attending international trade shows, and collaborating with major brands, a whirlwind experience that shaped her creative vision and broadened her industry insight.

Driven by a desire for creative independence, Olga took the leap and launched her own brand. Olenka Design now stands as a testament to what can happen when talent, experience, and entrepreneurial spirit come together.

Now, Olga is sharing that passion with students at Petroc. As a lecturer within Petroc’s University Centre programmes, she uses her own career experiences to show just how far a creative degree can take you.

Students benefit not only from her industry knowledge, but also from her lived experience of building a brand from the ground up, an invaluable perspective for those aspiring to forge their own creative careers.

With lecturers like Olga leading the way, Petroc continues to offer students not just education, but real-world inspiration and pathways into thriving creative industries.