Anton Shlyonkin

Specialized in Design.

Anton Shlyonkin

About Anton Shlyonkin

Anton Shlyonkin is a part of graphic design duo from Russia called «All my T». The other part is his wife, who is a graphic designer herself, Anna Goncharova. Then they created this company their focus was in typefaces and t-shirt design — both things starting with the «T», that's how this name came to be., however now they are working in many different field from packaging to enterior desgn. They both graduated from National Design Institute in Moscow, Anton in 2011 and Anna in 2013. Now they are lecturers their themself. They also take part in poster exhibitions, the last one was Dante Alighiery exhibition in Italy, Pratovecchio. Anton's favorite self-commissioned project is his «Type tarot» — a set of tarot card made intarely with custom lettering. His favorite client-commissioned work is branding and navigation system for sledge-bobsleigh complex «Sanky» in Sochi, which was part of the Olympics in 2014. Anna's favorite works are different packaging for famous Russian candy brand «Tasty help»

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Anton Shlyonkin

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I always wanted to be an artist, but I was told that you need A GIFT to become one. So I chose a second-best option - graphic design :). And I am pretty happy about it now.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
«All my T» was founded as a way for me and my wife, who is a graphic designer too, to do some self-commissioned works. The first things we did were typefaces and t-shirts, hence the name. But now it's more than that and we do design for clients under that brand too.
What is "design" for you?
The design is an art of making art that serves a purpose, I think.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I am not sure if I can think of something specific here. The best design for me is a design that works. But simple beautiful things are nice too
When do you feel the most creative?
As a designer, I think it is really important to be creative all the time no matter what. We are professionals after all
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I really like building a system that almost «designs» things for me by itself
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
At that time I am already interested in something new, probably :). But it's a nice feeling, of cause
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
This thing is hard to generalize. Some basic design aspects as composition and colors and overall impact. But most important - is it serves its purpose.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Design is expanding and that is awesome. New ideas, new material, new technologies — I really like that
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was in Italy, in the home city of Dante Alighieri. Where was a poster exhibition about his Devine Comedy and my poster was a part of it
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
My design style is really impermanent. I like to try new things. But overall I'm inclined to do «clean» and structural things
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live near Moscow, Russia. But now everything is so interlocked — thank you internet!
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Macbook, Fender Stratocaster guitar, Blue Snowball microphone, iPhone and, let's say, a 3D printer
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
I can share my all time favorite quotes about design: «Design is one» and «Less is more».
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
I love what I do, so it's hard for me to highlight specific examples. Where are many positive things, art is a grate thing in itself. As for negatives — some people a hard to work with and as a designer you should work with a lot of different people all the time. But some people are amazing, so...
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Paper, pen (I don't like pencils), calligraphy brush, notebook, and some Adobe stuff. I also sometimes use a laser cutter for packaging prototypes.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I work quite fast, fortunately. As for a time management — I am not that good at it
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, I month, 1 year - depending on the task. It's too hard to be more specific here
Who are some of your clients?
I really like working with «small» clients — book authors, musicians, family businesses etc. But we work with bigger clients too — banks, insurance companies, ad agencies, government structures. For example, Guta bank, Rosgosstrah, PFR, Olymp stroy, Tasty help etc.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I am working on one interesting project, but I can't tell you yet :)
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Some work I do by myself, but some — with my wife Anna Goncharova (she is a graphic designer too) as a graphic design duo «All my T»

Designer of the Day Interview with Anton Shlyonkin

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I've graduated from National Design Institute in Moscow in 2011. Since then I worked in different fields as a graphic, web, packaging and type designer and illustrator. I also used to be a lecturer for 5 years in the National Design Institute as well. Now I am a part of a design duo AllMyT with my wife as a partner, who is a graphic designer too. I really like working with «small» clients — book authors, musicians, family businesses etc. But we work with bigger clients too — banks, insurance companies, ad agencies, government structures. For example Guta bank, Rosgosstrah, PFR, Olymp stroy, Tasty help etc.
How did you become a designer?
I always wanted to be an artist, but I was told that you need A GIFT to become one. So I chose a second-best option - graphic design. And I am pretty happy about it now because graphic design is a great thing.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
The most important quote for me is «Less is more». The second one though is «Rules are there to be broken». So, I guess, the main thing for me is to make a functional and «clean» design which is «still alive», rough in the right places. Also, I am all for the hidden meanings in my work, though they are more like easter eggs for the curious viewer and not an integral part of the design.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Oh, I love designing stuff. I really love to generate ideas with just a pen and paper, it's kind of liberating and also fun
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I used to be a musician, and I believe it really helps with a sense of rhyme and «feeling» colors, and overall composition. Also, drawing is really helpful too. And for type design work - definitely calligraphy.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I was a student, intern, freelancer, designer, art director and now - co-founder of my studio. The next step is to create some kind of product for myself. Designing for others is fun, but I believe the end goal is to make your own stuff as well (which many designers end up doing)
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Design is a hard work and should be treated as such. But the main goal is to have fun in the process. I hate when people say «Client made me do it» if something turns out bad in their work. I believe limitations are liberating in a way. It's also important to be educated in many different fields to be «fresh» and relevant, which is pretty easy to do now. Thanks, internet!
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Always be excited and love what you do. And observe constantly. Be aware of things. If you are getting bored by your work - find a way to make it fun. Place little easter eggs, try new stuff, try something new for every project. As long as it doesn't hurt the project it's all good.
What is your day to day look like?
Coffee! Then - e-mails. I use it for most of my work and for the news and subscriptions too. And the main thing is the music. A lot of music. Also, I really like sharing ideas with my wife, it's priceless
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I don't believe in trends as a useful tool. But of course, it's important to be aware of things, and not only design. So I try to read a lot. Podcasts are amazing too. And the best thing for inspiration is browsing through Behance, of course!
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
This thing is hard to generalize. Some basic design aspects as composition and colors and overall impact. But most important - if it serves its purpose. But it's more like a gut feeling for me
How do you decide if your design is ready?
It's important to understand that nothing can be perfect. So it's important to be able to stop and move on. That said though it's still important to be satisfied with your work. I usually have a short checklist for each project. If I hit all of the marks, everything I wanted to do - it's time to move on.
What is your biggest design work?
My biggest project to date — navigation system and identity for Sanki track, which was a part of 2014 Sochi Olympics. It was a huge project, very interesting and complex. For more recent examples — branding and identity for «Little Bakery», because I had to do so many new things, like interior design.
Who is your favourite designer?
Stefan Sagmeister (he is the best for me). Jessica Hische. Chip Kidd. Osten Gruppe. Niels Shoe Muelman. And many many many more. Professionals are awesome. And a lot of old masters, not only design-wise but from all art fields too.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Music is really important. All kinds of experiences. It's a good time to be a designer. A lot of things to explore, and even more things to do.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I think respect is really important for designers. Sometimes you need to do what you need to do even if you want to do something else. It's important to do your best for your current project and not just indulge in thing on a whim.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
It's important to share knowledge. That was my reasoning to go back to my Institute to teach young designers. It's also important to contribute to society and culture, to do non-commercial projects, to be a part of the community. And I try to do it as well as I can and encourage my students to do as well.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Competitions allow you to really reflect on your work. It's also important as a social tool. A' Design Award also arranges exhibitions of winning designs which is just crazy. It's the best part for me. Oh, and the yearbook. And the overall exposure - it's great. And it's really useful too. And of course, it's really nice to be acknowledged by the community.

Extended Interview with Anton Shlyonkin

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I graduated from National Design Institute in Moscow in 2011. Then I work in different places, co-founded different studios and now I am a part of graphic design duo «All my T» with my wife, Anna Goncharova, who is a graphic designer too.
How did you become a designer?
That's what I do, that's what I like. I just can't not do it
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Kind of. I always wanted to be an artist, but it's kind of a specific craft and environment, and the next closest thing — design — suits me better
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I do primarily graphic and packaging design. But occasionally I got some different types of work, like illustration and interior design, which is really nice and refreshing.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
The importance of good design is hard to overestimate. It is a valuable asset in all aspects of any business, from marketing to engineering. But it really should be a GOOD design or it can do more harm than good.
What is your day to day look like?
My personal projects and collaborations, definitely. So many ideas and so little time
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Stefan Sagmeister (he is the best for me). Jessica Hische. Chip Kidd. Osten Gruppe. Niels Shoe Muelman. And many many many more. Professionals are awesome.
What is your biggest design work?
Everything by Stefan Sagmeister, because he is awesome. Notebooks and phones from Apple. Guitars by Fender. Posters from Osten Gruppe. They all just make me feel constantly amazed and creative, it's more like an emotional thing.
Who is your favourite designer?
I have to say — navigation system and identity for Sanki track, which was a part of 2014 Sochi Olympics. It was a huge project, very interesting and complex. From more recent examples — branding and identity for «Little Bakery», because I had to do so many new things, like interior design.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Music. It's a big part of my life as it is, but would be interesting to become a professional in this field
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
It's hard to name a certain person, but I am really thankful for my graphic design professor Evgeniy Taboriskiy. And definitely my wife.

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