Interview with Linkup ST

I like helping people through design. It’s not only about how it looks but also about solving problems and creating emotional connections.

It was my choice. Design allowed me to combine analytical thinking with creativity.

I work in product and interface design. In the future, I want to focus more on AI-powered experiences and next-generation digital products.

Go beyond visuals. Learn user research, design psychology, and how design supports business goals.

A good designer solves problems. A great designer challenges assumptions and creates solutions that change the game.

Good design works. Great design works and also feels effortless and emotional. I look at both data and user feedback.

Good design increases sales, loyalty, and user satisfaction. It directly supports business growth.

I would help designers discover their uniqueness, work on mindset, and grow into industry leaders.

A platform for learning sign language so everyone can communicate on a basic level with deaf people. Also, I want to create a research center on design psychology.

Mixing engineering thinking with empathy. I see design through both data and emotions.

Jony Ive, who shaped Apple’s design language with simplicity and elegance.

I enjoy award-winning works for their innovation. Also, I like how Apple under Marko keeps pushing for clean, emotional design.

Each project is special. I value Reverso because I worked on it for years and felt deeply connected. Also, Linkup ST's branding, which reflects our true vision.

I developed empathy, communication, and analytical skills. I also learned how design impacts business.

I would probably work in development or product analytics.

Design is the mix of aesthetics, function, and human psychology that shapes experiences and behavior.

My environment: my team, my parents, and friends. Their support was essential.

Constant learning, persistence, connecting business and empathy — and going where it feels scary.

Doubts in my skills, finding my style, and resisting industry clichés to build my own voice.

Not only visuals, but also logic: research, impact, and how it solves business and user needs.

We are creating a line of flagship design services that combine beauty, function, and business impact.

To create products that truly change people’s lives and help form a strong design culture.

They expect confidence and innovation. But clients value it most when you dive deep into their business problems, not just show expertise.

It makes things simple and accessible. Design removes barriers and builds more inclusive environments.

I am growing our design department and exploring how to make it stronger and more innovative.

Reverso, for helping millions of users, and Linkup ST's branding, which became a real reflection of us.

More focus on quality, psychology, and emotions, less on shallow trends.

Toward combining AI, neuroscience, and design. Future interfaces will anticipate user needs.

From weeks to months, depending on complexity. Some projects are long-term, where we keep improving continuously.

With research: users, market, and business goals. Then I create concepts based on that.

Don’t fall in love with your design. Always see where it can be better.

Design sets trends when it’s authentic and bold. Trends just follow strong ideas.

Technology is a tool. It should serve people, not the other way around.

Figma, Miro, ProtoPie, Google Analytics, Hotjar. Hardware: MacBook Pro.

They express the brand and create emotional context that completes the functional design.

“How did you come up with this? What inspired this idea?”

Yes, co-design is powerful. My ideal partner is someone with different thinking, like a strategist or analyst.

My team, clients on challenging projects, and design peers from the industry.

“The Design of Everyday Things,” “Emotional Design,” and books on psychology and behavioral economics.

Through learning, awards, and reflecting after each project, plus real-world practice with users.

I once interviewed Donald Norman on YouTube and spoke with Krug about redesigns. I’d also love to talk with Jakob Nielsen and Alan Cooper.

It’s nice, but it’s about teamwork and proof we’re on the right path, not fame.

Color: Terracotta

Place: Lviv and Paris

Food: Smoothie bowls

Season: Early autumn

Brand: Apple for consistency and attention to detail.

Once, a client brought a paper prototype to show animation speed. He pulled paper on a string to imitate UI motion. It was funny but worked perfectly.

Seeing our design make a real impact and getting positive feedback from users.

I was into both math and art. I programmed young but also acted in theater and painted. Nobody knew which path I’d take.

Technology will blend so well into life that it becomes invisible, giving us more time for conscious living.

Design is logic plus emotion. My biggest wish is for designers to see their work truly changes the world.

At Linkup Studio, we’re a full-service digital agency built for businesses that want to scale smart. We work across three main tracks — Design, Software, and Marketing.
What sets us apart is our design-driven approach, which is rare for software companies. Our award-winning design team not only crafts beautiful interfaces but also aligns design with business objectives. This combination allows us to build smarter, high-performing digital products.

Design is about creating a holistic experience that merges aesthetics and function, forming an emotional connection between the brand and the user.

I love working on strategic design — exploring user behavior, forming hypotheses, and then validating them through thoughtful, impactful solutions.

Over 12 years in design, I’ve worked on 150+ projects, each with its own uniqueness. For example, Reverso, one of the world’s most popular translation tools, holds a special place for me. Over the past three years, we’ve transformed its user experience, which has been incredibly rewarding.

It was a digital catalog for an Italian fashion brand. This was my first real design project and marked my transition from development into design.

I draw inspiration from the research of Don Norman and Nielsen Norman Group, whose work continuously pushes forward design best practices and user psychology.

When faced with challenges like entering a new market or achieving seemingly impossible metrics — moments when design can truly influence something meaningful.

First, usability. Then, the visual layer that creates an emotional connection with the brand.

I feel joy, passion, and excitement.

A mix of pride, happiness, and satisfaction.

Its usefulness for both the user and the business.

Designers must create solutions that are inclusive, ethical, and sustainable — improving lives, supporting accessibility, and reducing digital waste.

Designers have a responsibility to create solutions that are inclusive, ethical, and sustainable. We must consider accessibility, minimize digital waste, and design experiences that improve lives rather than distract or exploit.

As AI takes over more practical tasks, the future of design lies in emotion — balancing function and emotional resonance. That’s what will set human-created design apart.

I work in interface design, so our projects often appear in curated design showcases online. Recently, our works were featured in an exhibition organized by Red Dot Awards in October.

From observation and visual exploration. Inspiration can come from unexpected places — even outside the digital world.

My design style is minimalistic, functional, and emotionally engaging. It focuses on clarity, storytelling, and precision — blending simplicity with emotional impact.

I live in Ukraine, which has a highly developed digital design industry. The creative environment here pushes me to constantly grow and innovate.

I’m the Co-founder and Chief Design Officer at Linkup Studio. We partner closely with clients, immersing ourselves in their context to ensure our design aligns with their growth goals.

Seek designers who are curious, adaptable, and collaborative. Skills matter, but mindset and growth potential often make the biggest difference.

We have tailored frameworks for different services. For every product, we choose the most suitable approach to maximize impact — combining research, analytics, prototyping, and iteration.

A ceramic stingray-shaped lamp

Unique dishware and vases

A waterfall-style bathroom faucet

A bee-shaped incense holder from Bali

A balcony wall mural in dot-work style

Morning journaling, yoga/stretching, breakfast, and taking my daughter to kindergarten. My workday lasts until evening, after which I enjoy time with my daughter, visiting galleries, working out, or meeting friends for coffee or hookah. I always close the day with music on vinyl and journaling.

Don’t let fear block your creativity. And don’t fall in love with your designs — stay open to improvement.

I love the excitement of creating something new. A minor downside is the pre-presentation nervousness that never fully goes away.

Design with purpose. Every element should either be functional, tell a story, or evoke emotion.

Critical thinking, empathy, storytelling, research, visual aesthetics, and understanding data and psychology in design.

Figma, Miro, ProtoPie, Google Analytics, Hotjar.

We use clear planning, syncs, and resource tracking within our team to maintain balance and efficiency without burnout.

For digital products, improvements and metric monitoring can last continuously for years.

"Did you study design?"

Leading the design strategy for products with millions of users, learning how design drives both engagement and business growth.

Our clients include TATA, Reverso, Bosch, Impact, Boba, Freestone, and many others.

I enjoy projects with complex ecosystems, where design influences both user experience and measurable business performance.

Creating innovations in design and conducting research on the intersection of design, AI, and emotional engagement.

We work as a team of highly talented designers, combining expertise to deliver stronger outcomes.

I’m collaborating with IT Cluster Ukraine to develop and implement a bachelor’s program in digital design across universities.

Via our website, LinkedIn, or Behance.

Thank you — everything was comprehensive and fulfilling!