Community Highlights: Meet Rana Abu-Elniaj of Ranavations

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rana Abu-Elniaj.

Hi Rana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Rana and I’m a multidisciplinary creative. I work across interior design, spatial design and painting and it all comes from the same place. My philosophy has always been about using design to make the world feel better. How that translates can be through a space, an experience or a piece of art. I’m interested in how people feel and how design can shift that.
That perspective is what led me to build my company, Ranavations. I focus on helping clients not just design spaces but actually visualize and connect with them before they exist. With Ranavations, I’m involved in everything from the initial concept all the way through execution. That includes space planning, 3D renderings, custom furniture, commissioned artwork and even construction documents.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you’re building something meaningful, it’s never a smooth road and I don’t think it’s suppose to be. I didn’t enjoy the struggle but I do enjoy the values that come from it: failing, learning and trying again has been the biggest drivers of my growth. Whether it’s financial struggles, learning patience or navigating client dynamics, all of it pushed me to grow.
That mindset has played a big role in how I’ve built Ranavations and how I approach growth.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ranavations?
My business is Ranavations, a design studio focused on creating high-end spaces with a strong emphasis on visualization and experience. I specialize in luxury residential and commercial design, space planning, and 3D renderings.

What really sets my work apart is how I approach each project. I’m very adaptable. I don’t design from a fixed style, I design based on the client. I’m intuitive when it comes to reading people and understanding what they’re drawn to, even if they can’t fully articulate it themselves. That’s the best part about being a creative. Because of that, every project looks different, but it always feels intentional and aligned with the person it’s created for. My role is really about translating their vision and bringing it to life in a way that feels clear, elevated, and cohesive.

At its core, Ranavations is about creating spaces that not only look good, but feel right for the people experiencing them.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve been really fortunate to have a strong support system, both personally and creatively, and I don’t think I would be where I am without it. My mom, sister, and brother have always been my biggest cheerleaders. My mom encouraged creativity from a young age, and my brother is actually the reason I started drawing and painting early on. Growing up, it was actually pretty common for art or creative majors to be discouraged in general, but my parents never made me feel that way. They always supported me fully, regardless of the path I chose. That made a huge difference in how confidently I was able to pursue design.
During college, my best friend Dani was incredibly important to my journey. We went through SCAD together and especially being in a top-tier, very demanding interior design program, it was not easy. We supported each other through a lot of pressure, long nights, and constant critique. Having her there made a really intense experience feel manageable and honestly, I don’t think I would’ve gotten through it the same way without her.
And in my professional life, I’ve been really lucky to build close relationships with my former coworkers, Kaitlyn and Brianna. They are now my closest best friends. We’ve grown together creatively, and we constantly push each other to be better, to experiment, and to keep creating.
I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that being surrounded by supportive like-minded people really shapes your growth. That kind of environment has played a big role in how I’ve developed and in how I’ve built Ranavations. Shoutout to all my besties, love you guys!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ranavations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranavations