TUMO Studios

Discover more about this project's partner

TUMO Studios is a free educational program for young adults focused on the creation of analog products. Our aim is to cultivate a new generation of Armenian designers and artisans who raise the quality of locally produced goods. We program technical courses in jewelry, ceramics, embroidery, pattern making, printmaking and more, and connect local students and young professionals with local and international designers through design ateliers where they create unique and innovative products.

Team members

Svetlana Barseghyan

Program Manager

Since my childhood, I’ve been immersed in the world of art, spending a good 10 years participating in choir and attending a musical school where I mastered the flute and harp. During my school days, I naturally found myself in leadership roles like class and choir captain, giving me my first taste of managing teams.

 

Fueled by curiosity about the psychology of people, I decided to pursue a degree in psychology at university, eventually earning a master’s degree in personality psychology.

After graduation, I found myself exploring the design field in a Yerevan-based designer store, featuring local fashion creations. After a year of learning, I was offered the role of TUMO Studios coordinator which I happily accepted. 

Immersing myself in the crafts and design field, I found a passion for the educational aspect. This led me to become the program manager at TUMO Studios. Here, I am in charge of the implementation of educational standards and processes, as well as organizing technical courses and design ateliers in collaboration with professionals worldwide, enhancing the learning experience for Armenian students.

Christopher Karaguezian

Design Manager

I began my career in architecture and transitioned into industrial design. As a freelance designer in Lebanon, my focus was on “digital crafts,” a fusion of digital manufacturing and traditional craftsmanship. During this time, I collaborated with UNIDO on a few projects, developing educational workshops and content for local artisans in woodworking and concrete mold making.

Subsequently, I joined MakerBrane, a startup in the toy industry. Initially serving as an industrial designer for construction toys, later I helped shape the company’s transformation into a digital platform for online play. I focused on optimizing the user workflow, ensuring seamless interactions, and I took charge of creating engaging play and educational content for the platform. My responsibilities expanded to include creating educational workshops for local and international schools and universities.

Amid Lebanon’s economic collapse, I relocated to Armenia and am now the design manager at TUMO Studios. My role encompasses defining the organization’s direction, optimizing workflows, crafting the educational program, and contributing to the design and development of our unique products.

Mariam Khachatryan

Deputy Director

With an educational background in Financial Management and then in PR and Advertising, I have always worked in creative industries, mainly as an Art Director on various projects. The exception to this in my career path was working in a fiction publishing house as a Production and then Senior Editor. While I was growing my career, I was also very interested in trying my hand at my own business. So, I started a jewelry store which became a platform for niche brands. Then came a store for designer home products. Later I founded a community space that includes a photo lab, a cafe, a gallery, and a shop for clothes made in Armenia.

 

Starting work at TUMO Studios as deputy director was a logical extension of my journey. Together with my amazing team, we are raising a new, modern generation of designers and artisans in Armenia, without forgetting but, on the contrary, studying and focusing on our roots, traditions, and history along the way.

Shushan Ayvazyan

Jewelry making teacher

For as long as I can remember, I have been studying art. I am an industrial designer by profession and received my education from the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I studied jewelry and gained experience working for different companies. Also, I’ve co-created projects like Oghak Jewelry and started my own jewelry brand called “Shushu Contemp” jewelry.

Despite this progression, I was always drawn to the TUMO Studios world and eventually became a student there. After attending various amazing jewelry workshops and developing my technical and design skills, I started working in the TUMO Studios production team.

Now I am TUMO Studios’ jewelry teacher and I share my knowledge and skills with the students everyday.

Zeron Teoledean

Administrative Manager

I began my journey in jewelry making in 1990. After high school, I decided to pursue a career in this craft and sought opportunities to learn. I assisted professional goldsmiths for two years before joining Tufenkian Jewelry, a factory with approximately 60 employees. I worked as a goldsmith there before moving to another company, Sarkar, to further refine my jewelry making techniques until the early 2000s.

Later, I transitioned to an international company, Prologue World, where I specialized in selling fine jewelry and art objects. I had the privilege of creating art objects and jewelry until 2013 when I moved to Armenia to work at TUMO.

Since then, my focus has been on jewelry making and providing technical support to various workshops within TUMO Studios.

Sona Hrantuni

Communications Manager

From my teenage years, I’ve been immersed in the creative world, carving my path through self-learned knowledge. Afterwards, my fascination with art led me to pursue education in History and Theory of Armenian Art at Yerevan State University.

Over the years my career path has included titles such as copywriter, scriptwriter, and communications specialist and in each I’ve drawn content and inspiration from the rich depths of art history.

In October 2022, I found my calling at TUMO Studios. Here, I’m dedicated to empowering the new generation of Armenian designers and artisans, fueled by the belief that true power lies in knowledge.

Anna Mkrtchyan

Photographer

I became specialized in the field of photography through attending the TUMO Center, where I got to communicate with and learn from specialists from different parts of the world. Eventually, I chose cinematography as my profession and graduated from the Art Photography and Cinematography Department of the Faculty of Culture at ASMU. At that time, I joined TUMO Studios as a photographer, and to this day, I create and collect the entire history of the Studios in the form of photos and videos.

Patil Makrouhie Jivian

Sales, Production & Marketing Manager

During my pursuit of a BA in Social Work, I started working in the jewelry field which had a significant focus in understanding the art of jewelry design. I also gained insights into different market strategies, which landed me a role with a high-end leather designer where I discovered the allure of craftsmanship and the artistry that lies within each piece, deftly orchestrating the creative symphony of design and logistics. With valuable experience in the field, I got the opportunity to run a fashion business by working closely with esteemed Japanese and European avant-garde designers. As I dove deeper into the world of fashion, I learned about fashion design, an art that combines creativity, technical proficiency, and a keen understanding of trends and consumer preferences. In the aftermath of the devastating explosion and economic crisis that shook Lebanon to its core, I relocated to Yerevan, Armenia and was offered the role of sales, production and marketing manager at TUMO Studios. My main focus is the new business model created in parallel with TUMO Studios’ educational program. Beyond merely promoting our talented students’ designs and creations, our aim is to create a sustainable revenue-generating entity — a self-sustained business that thrives on the global market. Central to my role is the establishment of a locally and globally competitive production service, one that proudly embraces Armenian craftsmanship and design.

Lilit Ghazaryan

Product Designer

My love for design and crafts began at an early age. As a child, I spent hours attending drawing classes and creating projects at home—cutting, shaping, and bringing ideas to life. 

During my teenage years, I briefly ventured into the world of mathematics and applied sciences but soon found my way back to design when it came time to choose my profession.

After graduating, I began my career as a graphic designer but quickly realized that my true passion lay in physical product design and working with my hands. This realization led me to Tumo Studios, where I started as a jewelry design student. My dedication and enthusiasm soon earned me a place on the team as a jewelry production specialist.

A few years later, I transitioned to the design team, where I’ve been working as a product designer ever since. This role allows me to combine my creative instincts and technical skills to craft meaningful, tangible designs that reflect my lifelong passion for art and craftsmanship.

Elina Ghamevosyan

Senior Program Coordinator

I have always been drawn to the field of arts and crafts, despite earning my bachelor’s degree in International Relations.

My constant search for opportunities to nurture my creativity eventually led me to TUMO Studios, where I first joined as a student.
My time at TUMO Studios provided me with the chance to immerse myself in hands-on learning and explore the world of design and craftsmanship.

After graduating, I was fortunate to join the TUMO Studios team.

Now, I coordinate the educational program, ensuring a seamless experience for our students. I also conduct interviews with applicants, helping to identify the next generation of talented creators, and manage the logistics of our operations.

Being part of this allows me to combine my organizational skills with my love for creativity, and I am inspired daily by the energy that surrounds me.