Interview with Lizaveta Odintsova

I run a boutique design bureau, comprising a dedicated team of five. We cultivate an intimate design studio atmosphere that fosters close collaboration.
Each member of my team is a true gem in the world of professional architects and designers. We approach every project collaboratively, drawing upon our collective knowledge and extensive experience. I deeply value the contribution of each individual and am immensely grateful for the opportunity to create together.

For me, design embodies the harmonious integration of form and content, beauty and function—a potent synthesis of creativity and science. Design is inherent in everything that surrounds us, and I consider it a genuine privilege to be able to contribute to this realm.

I derive the greatest satisfaction from designing for commercial projects. These commercial projects encompass a range of spaces, including hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, salons, clinics, offices, and schools. This is where my particular strength lies: empowering businesses to develop and achieve greater success through thoughtful and impactful design.

My favorite design is invariably the one I will create next. This is because each new project builds upon the last, refined by new knowledge and accumulated experience, and approached with even greater diligence, meticulous attention, wisdom, and a profound passion for the craft. My most anticipated design is always the one I am about to create. The allure lies in the unknown, not yet knowing its final form. It is precisely this sense of discovery and unfolding potential that I find most compelling in my work.

My first project was a 1200-square-meter loft-style office for a major company specializing in automation and engineering. It represented an incredible degree of creative freedom, especially for a young designer, as I was only 23 years old at the time. Although the implementation process was lengthy and we navigated considerable challenges with both the client and the construction, I remain profoundly grateful for that experience and for the opportunity to conceive, develop the design, and see it come to fruition. This project garnered me my first award at the Interium 2018 international competition, led to my initial publications in professional media, and marked my first significant recognition within the design sphere.

I like to work with contrasts - combining materials with different visual and tactile properties, like mixing smooth glass with rough stone or soft wood with hard metal, to create visual interest, depth, and a dynamic aesthetic.

My creativity starts immediately after receiving a brief from the clients. I start the research, develop some ideas, and make some drafts. The creative process arises right from the challenge we are confronting.

I tend to focus on impact, challenge, and innovations. In my opinion, good design must evolve constantly because it needs to adapt to a changing environment, technological advancements, and individual needs. This results in spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, sustainable, and supportive of human well-being.

I feel inspiration, curiosity and joy.

Whenever I step onto a project site before work begins, I already perceive a distinct vision, a guiding principle, and the central theme of design that will shape it. Then, every time I am on-site during the renovation process, I experience a profound sense of joy and anticipation. It is deeply gratifying to witness everything taking form—the walls transforming, the space becoming infused with new energy—knowing that what is currently materializing was once merely a concept in my mind, and now it is becoming a tangible reality.

Successful design is fundamentally timeless. It is a design that takes on a life of its own, growing more beautiful and resonant with time. And ultimately, it is design that contributes to the success of its owner.

Impact on the environment, sustainability, its compliance with the times and challenges.

The designer must prioritize the community needs, create safe and harmonious spaces, and promote accessibility and respect for the different cultures.

I think that design is becoming closer to people, its final users. We all develop our sense and style, bringing more individuality to each project. I definitely see more original ideas and open-minded designs in the future.

My designs can be found in NY, Munich and Kyiv. I would love to do more projects in Europe and worldwide.

I find that my most profound inspiration often emerges once I am already engaged in the work. It might seem counterintuitive, but for me, the creative process truly ignites only when I take those initial, tangible steps: settling at my laptop, picking up a pencil or stylus, drafting the first layout sketches, and identifying the key focal points of the interior. And, as a natural part of this, I always listen to music that I feel resonates with the specific project I am developing.

I create designs that are emotional and evocative—often striking and vibrant, inherently dynamic, and imbued with a distinct energy that is palpably felt the moment one enters the space. I am particularly drawn to curvilinear shapes, biomorphic elements, geometric clarity, and the use of rhythm in composition. Furthermore, I embrace experimentation with a diverse range of textures and materials.

My studio is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. It definitely shapes our design, values and vision. I feel that the desire for freedom, creativity, and peace are these empowering values that can be found in every interior we make.

We have a lot of partners who help us bring the project together. Such as builders, design brands, suppliers, logistic companies, photographers, etc. Many of them have been with us for many years as we develop a trusting and open relationship with each partner.

Companies should choose a designer who can hear individual needs and incorporate them into a contemporary and sustainable design project.

It starts with a challenge that we receive from a client`s brief. Then we conduct research, develop some ideas and present them to the client. After receiving feedback, we start developing a design project and implement it.

That's a great question! I tend to fall in love with items that have a story or a unique character. If I had to choose five favorites from my home right now, they would be:
1. My collection of sculptural black vases and candles. I collect them all over the world. It's like a piece of art and a functional object in one, and it immediately becomes the centerpiece of any room it's in.
2. Our turntable and vinyl collection. There's a special kind of magic in the ritual of choosing a record and listening to its warm, analog sound. It's both a visual and auditory pleasure.
3. A piece of solid wood furniture with visible joinery.
I deeply appreciate honest materials and craftsmanship, and seeing how a piece is beautifully made brings me joy every day.
4. My silver melange sofa. The texture is incredible. For me, good design has to engage more than just the eyes. The tactile feeling of that worn-in textile is so comforting and timeless.
5. My modern, sculptural vintage earrings. I also have a great collection. I believe design extends to what we wear. A pair of well-designed, artistic earrings can feel like wearable architecture and completely elevate a simple outfit.

My days are a dynamic blend of creative work and family life, which I absolutely love. A typical day might look something like this:
My morning usually starts very early with workout, mediation and building plans for the day. After that I turn mom mode gently, with my babies. We'll have a slow breakfast, often in our pajamas, just enjoying the quiet start to the day.
Once I'm at my desk, my focus shifts to my design projects. I'll dive into developing visual concepts for clients—like the "Visual Code" presentation or have virtual meetings. To stay inspired, I make sure to step away from the screen. This could be a walk through the beautiful historic streets of the city, grabbing a tea, or visiting a gallery or a design event like Czech Design Week if it's happening. Seeing architecture, art, and how people interact with the city fuels my creativity.
The afternoon is often a mix of finishing up work and transitioning back into mom mode.
Evenings are for winding down. I love putting on a record—it’s the perfect soundtrack for making dinner or just relaxing after a busy day. Sometimes I'll meet up with friends, but often my favorite way to end the day is simple quality time at home, recharging for whatever comes next. It’s a full life, but a very happy one.

To be open-minded, look for a good challenge in design and always evolve throughout your career; the best design project is yet to come.

There are many positive sides in the design field for me: being able to work with the most creative and talented people, developing and learn in so many areas, and being blessed to implement some of my ideas into reality and actually have an impact on our communities.

My "golden rule" for interior design is to prioritize balance between function and aesthetics, where elements work together seamlessly, and a space opens its potential to the maximum.

As for soft skills, I would say strong communication and problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and project management skills - to be able to navigate the complexities of building projects and collaborate effectively with clients and construction teams.

I love this question because my "toolbox" is a deliberately curated mix of digital and analog essentials. I believe that while technology gives us speed and precision, the most unique ideas often start with a pen on paper.
Here’s a look inside my toolbox:
Hardware:
• MacBook Pro: My reliable workhorse for all the heavy-lifting, from graphic design to video editing.
• iPad Pro with Apple Pencil: This is my digital sketchbook. It's perfect for initial client drafts, storyboarding, and marking up documents. It bridges the gap between traditional drawing and digital workflow.
• A High-Quality Sketchbook & Pen: Before any pixels are pushed, my ideas start here. I'm a firm believer in the power of sketching to unlock creativity without the constraints of a screen.
Software & Applications:
• Adobe Creative Suite: This is the core of my digital work. I primarily use Illustrator for vector work and branding, Photoshop for image editing, and InDesign for layouts.
• Figma: Indispensable for collaborative projects, presentations, and any UI/UX related tasks. Its real-time collaboration feature is a game-changer.
• Notion: My second brain! I use it for project management, content planning, client portals, and organizing my inspiration.
• Pinterest & Savee.it: My go-to platforms for creating mood boards and gathering visual research at the beginning of a project.
Books & Physical Media:
My bookshelf is my constant source of offline inspiration. It’s less about "how-to" books and more about sources of visual culture:
• Monographs of artists and designers: Studying the complete works of people like Josef Hoffmann or Zaha Hadid.
• Books on architectural history: Especially anything on Czech Cubism and Modernism, which you can see everywhere in Prague.
• Independent magazines: Publications like Cereal, Kinfolk, and Dezeen are fantastic for staying in tune with contemporary aesthetics in design, travel, and lifestyle.
Sources of Inspiration (My Non-Digital Fuel):
This is the most crucial part of my toolbox. My best ideas almost never come when I'm staring at a screen. They come from:
• Architecture: Simply walking through Prague and observing the details on building facades, the color palettes, and the play of light and shadow.
• Art Galleries & Museums: As you can see from my video, I love spending time in creative spaces. Seeing a new exhibition always sparks a new connection or idea.
• Travel: Exploring new towns, even just for a day trip, provides a fresh perspective, new color combinations, and different textures.
• Vintage Markets: I love finding objects with a past. The craftsmanship and design solutions from different eras are endlessly fascinating.
• Film & Cinematography: Paying attention to color grading, composition, and set design in movies is like a masterclass in visual storytelling.
Ultimately, while the tools are important, the most essential part of my "toolbox" is curiosity. It's the drive to look closely at the world and find the beauty and the story in everything.

Clear focus on goals and teamwork helps me to achieve great tasks without burnout.

It really depends on the scale and complexity of a project. From 2-3 months to several years.

Where do I draw my inspiration from?

My very first order - a 1200-square-meter loft-style office for a major company specializing in automation and engineering. It represented an incredible degree of creative freedom, especially for a young designer, as I was only 23 years old at the time. Although the implementation process was lengthy and we navigated considerable challenges with both the client and the construction, I remain profoundly grateful for that experience and for the opportunity to conceive, develop the design, and see it come to fruition. This project garnered me my first award at the Interium 2018 international competition, led to my initial publications in professional media, and marked my first significant recognition within the design sphere.

Owners of restaurants, beauty salons, wellness centers and fashion stores.

I am fond of commercial design spaces. This is where my particular strength lies: empowering businesses to develop and achieve greater success through thoughtful and impactful design.

I would like to work on a hospitality project in Europe.

Yes, we are a team of 5 people - Design Buro Odintsova.

All our current projects are to be released soon. Hope I can share them shortly.

Our contact emeail info@buroodintsova.com.ua or via social media - @lisa.design.odintsova

It was a great experience revealing to you my working process details. Hope it may inspire someone from the readers.