Alisa Anh Kotmair
Writer | Editor | Translator
mail@alisakotmair.com | www.alisakotmair.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alisa-kotmair
Summary
As a writer, editor, and translator, I work at the intersection of language, visual thinking, and cultural discourse, shaping multilingual content across print, digital, and audiovisual media. My expertise spans architecture, urbanism, design, and the arts, as well as corporate communications, editorial project management, and content creation. With 20+ years of experience, I specialize in translation, writing, and editing, ensuring clarity, nuance, and accessibility across publications, cultural projects, and B2B/B2C communications.
Raised in the U.S. and based in Europe, I bring a multicultural, multilingual perspective, with fluency in English and German and working knowledge of French, Russian, Vietnamese, and Spanish. My background in film, performance, and media arts informs my instinct for tone, timing, and narrative storytelling, allowing me to communicate effectively across disciplines. Currently broadening my expertise in content strategy, SEO, and project management, I am strengthening my ability to oversee complex editorial workflows, collaborate across teams, and align messaging with strategic goals.
Core Competencies
- Writing & Editing (Architecture, Urbanism, Design, Arts & Culture, Sustainability, Corporate Communications, Lifestyle Media)
- Translation (German to English)
- Storytelling (Print, Digital, Film, and Visual Arts)
- Project & Content Management
- Research & Editorial Strategy
- Cross-Cultural Communication
Professional Experience
Independent Writer, Editor, Translator | 2001–Present | Berlin, Germany
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Provide high-quality translations, line editing, copywriting for leading cultural and corporate clients.
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Specialize in architecture, urbanism, art, design, sustainability, and corporate communications.
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Collaborate with diverse teams across multiple time zones and cultures.
Select Institutional Clients
- Helmut Newton Foundation, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (n.b.k.), KINDL – Centre for Contemporary Art, Istituto Svizzero
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Translation and editorial work for exhibition texts, publications, and institutional communications.
Select Publisher Partnerships
- DETAIL, ARCH+, Birkhäuser
- Translation and editorial contributions to books and magazines on architecture, design, urbanism.
Executive Editor, ahead media gmbh | 2006–2011
- Led editorial production for Nespresso Magazine (international branded lifestyle publication).
- Managed international contributors across multiple language editions.
- Wrote and edited lifestyle features, balancing corporate messaging with engaging storytelling.
- Collaborated with stakeholders on content strategy.
- Similar editorial scope for Chopard Magazine (international branded lifestyle publication) and Anyway magazine (travel and lifestyle publication).
Independent Filmmaker & Video Editor | 2002–2011
- Directed and edited short films, documentaries, and visual art projects.
- Premiered “Sunday Menu” (2011) at Berlinale International Film Festival, exploring themes of identity and the Vietnamese diaspora.
- Worked in post-production for film, television, and music videos.
Educational & Professional Development
- Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf – Diplom in Montage (2004–2010)
- Brown University – A.B. in German Studies with additional focus on comparative literature, Russian language & literature (1988–1992)
- Additional Studies: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – European Ethnology, Vietnamese (1995–1997)
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (1997) – Intensive language course as part of a 2-month study trip
- Universität Tübingen & Universität Rostock (1990–1991) – One semester each as part of a year-long exchange
- Ongoing Certifications: Project Management, Content Strategy
Languages
- English (Native) • German (Full Professional) • French (Working Proficiency) • Vietnamese, Russian, Spanish (Elementary)
Technical Skills
- Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Canva • Currently upskilling in content management systems, digital publishing platforms, and project management tools
Recent Publications
Translations & Editorial
Amsterdam: Urban Architecture and Living Environments (DETAIL, 2025), translating, line editing / copyediting, proofreading
Helmut Newton: Berlin, Berlin (Taschen, 2024), translating, copyediting
The New Technological Condition: Architecture and Design in the Age of Cybernetics (Birkhäuser, 2022), translating
ARCH+: The End of Housing (As a Typology) (ARCH+ / Spector Books, 2024), line editing / copyediting
Original Writing
“A Little Vietnam in Berlin,” in The Passenger (2023/2019 in Italian)
Brick by Brick: Architecture and Interiors Built with Bricks (Gestalten, 2022), contributing writer
Rock the Boat: Boats, Cabins, and Homes on the Water (Gestalten, 2017), contributing writer
Take a Bath: Interior Design for Bathrooms (Gestalten, 2017), contributing writer