AKA design was founded in 2004 by three designers, who left Bemarc Architekci a year earlier, an agency known for projects of large Polish and German commercial chains such as “Carry”, “House of Colors”, “New Yorker”, “Sunset Suits” and “Reserved”. Their projects attracted the attention of the media for the first time. The prestigious Polish monthly “Architektura” published an article entitled “Discreet Charm of Elegance” with the photos of “Carry” stores (9/2001). In 2004, during The Poznan International Fair, the stand designed by Joanna Bartkowiak for Galeria LEGE with AKA design furniture, attracted the interest of a TV producer. In 2004 and 2005, the office designed two television studios for TV Biznes:- first in Poznan, then in Warsaw, and from August 2009 to September 2010, our projects were showcased in television programs “4 walls” and two editions of “Stars’ Apartments” with the participation of Polish celebrities such as the film director Filip Bajon and Olympic gold medalist Waldemar Nogalski.
In 2018, during a short internship at the University of Catania in Sicily, Joanna Bartkowiak collaborated with the Faculty of Architecture in Syracuse assisting Professor Vittorio Fiore in scenography and preparation of the retrospective exhibition of ancient theatrical performances of Syracuse entitled “Antica Mirabilia “. The book ‘U Cussu’ published by the cultural association I.M.IDE. in conjunction with the University of Catania features concepts of the revitalization process of the oldest district of Catania and contains drawings and paintings by Joanna Bartkowiak.