I always loved creativity, but I also had a strong technical side. I studied applied mathematics and first worked as a developer. Later I moved to interface design, where I could mix logic with creativity.
01Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I always loved creativity, but I also had a strong technical side. I studied applied mathematics and first worked as a developer. Later I moved to interface design, where I could mix logic with creativity.
02What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I like helping people through design. It’s not only about how it looks but also about solving problems and creating emotional connections.
03Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
It was my choice. Design allowed me to combine analytical thinking with creativity.
04What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
I work in product and interface design. In the future, I want to focus more on AI-powered experiences and next-generation digital products.
05What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Go beyond visuals. Learn user research, design psychology, and how design supports business goals.
06What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
A good designer solves problems. A great designer challenges assumptions and creates solutions that change the game.
07What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
Good design works. Great design works and also feels effortless and emotional. I look at both data and user feedback.
08What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
Good design increases sales, loyalty, and user satisfaction. It directly supports business growth.
09What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
I would help designers discover their uniqueness, work on mindset, and grow into industry leaders.
10What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
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.
11What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
Mixing engineering thinking with empathy. I see design through both data and emotions.
12Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
Jony Ive, who shaped Apple’s design language with simplicity and elegance.
13What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
I enjoy award-winning works for their innovation. Also, I like how Apple under Marko keeps pushing for clean, emotional design.
14What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
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.
15How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
I developed empathy, communication, and analytical skills. I also learned how design impacts business.
16If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
I would probably work in development or product analytics.
17How do you define design, what is design for you?
Design is the mix of aesthetics, function, and human psychology that shapes experiences and behavior.
18Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
My environment: my team, my parents, and friends. Their support was essential.
19What helped you to become a great designer?
Constant learning, persistence, connecting business and empathy — and going where it feels scary.
20What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
Doubts in my skills, finding my style, and resisting industry clichés to build my own voice.
21How do you think designers should present their work?
Not only visuals, but also logic: research, impact, and how it solves business and user needs.
22What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
We are creating a line of flagship design services that combine beauty, function, and business impact.
23What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
To create products that truly change people’s lives and help form a strong design culture.
24What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
They expect confidence and innovation. But clients value it most when you dive deep into their business problems, not just show expertise.
25How does design help create a better society?
It makes things simple and accessible. Design removes barriers and builds more inclusive environments.
26What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
I am growing our design department and exploring how to make it stronger and more innovative.
27Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
Reverso, for helping millions of users, and Linkup ST's branding, which became a real reflection of us.
28What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
More focus on quality, psychology, and emotions, less on shallow trends.
29Where do you think the design field is headed next?
Toward combining AI, neuroscience, and design. Future interfaces will anticipate user needs.
30How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
From weeks to months, depending on complexity. Some projects are long-term, where we keep improving continuously.
31When you have a new design project, where do you start?
With research: users, market, and business goals. Then I create concepts based on that.
32What is your life motto as a designer?
Don’t fall in love with your design. Always see where it can be better.
33Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
Design sets trends when it’s authentic and bold. Trends just follow strong ideas.
34What is the role of technology when you design?
Technology is a tool. It should serve people, not the other way around.
35What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
Figma, Miro, ProtoPie, Google Analytics, Hotjar. Hardware: MacBook Pro.
36What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
They express the brand and create emotional context that completes the functional design.
37What do you wish people to ask about your design?
“How did you come up with this? What inspired this idea?”
38Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
Yes, co-design is powerful. My ideal partner is someone with different thinking, like a strategist or analyst.
39Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
My team, clients on challenging projects, and design peers from the industry.
40Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
“The Design of Everyday Things,” “Emotional Design,” and books on psychology and behavioral economics.
41How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Through learning, awards, and reflecting after each project, plus real-world practice with users.
42Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
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.
43How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
It’s nice, but it’s about teamwork and proof we’re on the right path, not fame.
44What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
Color: Terracotta
Place: Lviv and Paris
Food: Smoothie bowls
Season: Early autumn
Brand: Apple for consistency and attention to detail.
45Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
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.
46What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
Seeing our design make a real impact and getting positive feedback from users.
47When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
I was into both math and art. I programmed young but also acted in theater and painted. Nobody knew which path I’d take.
48What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
Technology will blend so well into life that it becomes invisible, giving us more time for conscious living.
49Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
Design is logic plus emotion. My biggest wish is for designers to see their work truly changes the world.
បទសម្ភាសន៍អ្នករចនា
40 សំណួរ
I’ve been engaged in creativity my whole life, but I also have a strong technical background. I studied applied mathematics and started my career as a developer.
01Could 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’ve been engaged in creativity my whole life, but I also have a strong technical background. I studied applied mathematics and started my career as a developer. However, I was always drawn to the creative side, which naturally led me to design. This combination of technical expertise and creativity gave me a strong boost in interface design, where I can merge structured, data-driven approaches with artistic vision.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
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.
03What is "design" for you?
Design is about creating a holistic experience that merges aesthetics and function, forming an emotional connection between the brand and the user.
04What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love working on strategic design — exploring user behavior, forming hypotheses, and then validating them through thoughtful, impactful solutions.
05What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
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.
06What was the first thing you designed for a company?
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.
07What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I draw inspiration from the research of Don Norman and Nielsen Norman Group, whose work continuously pushes forward design best practices and user psychology.
08When do you feel the most creative?
When faced with challenges like entering a new market or achieving seemingly impossible metrics — moments when design can truly influence something meaningful.
09Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
First, usability. Then, the visual layer that creates an emotional connection with the brand.
10What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I feel joy, passion, and excitement.
11What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
A mix of pride, happiness, and satisfaction.
12What makes a design successful?
Its usefulness for both the user and the business.
13When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Designers must create solutions that are inclusive, ethical, and sustainable — improving lives, supporting accessibility, and reducing digital waste.
14From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
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.
15How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
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.
16When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
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.
17Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
From observation and visual exploration. Inspiration can come from unexpected places — even outside the digital world.
18How 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 minimalistic, functional, and emotionally engaging. It focuses on clarity, storytelling, and precision — blending simplicity with emotional impact.
19Where 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 in Ukraine, which has a highly developed digital design industry. The creative environment here pushes me to constantly grow and innovate.
20How do you work with companies?
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.
21What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Seek designers who are curious, adaptable, and collaborative. Skills matter, but mindset and growth potential often make the biggest difference.
22Can you talk a little about your design process?
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.
23What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
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
24Can you describe a day in your life?
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.
25Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Don’t let fear block your creativity. And don’t fall in love with your designs — stay open to improvement.
26From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
I love the excitement of creating something new. A minor downside is the pre-presentation nervousness that never fully goes away.
27What is your "golden rule" in design?
Design with purpose. Every element should either be functional, tell a story, or evoke emotion.
28What skills are most important for a designer?
Critical thinking, empathy, storytelling, research, visual aesthetics, and understanding data and psychology in design.
29Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Figma, Miro, ProtoPie, Google Analytics, Hotjar.
30Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
We use clear planning, syncs, and resource tracking within our team to maintain balance and efficiency without burnout.
31How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
For digital products, improvements and metric monitoring can last continuously for years.
32What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
"Did you study design?"
33What was your most important job experience?
Leading the design strategy for products with millions of users, learning how design drives both engagement and business growth.
34Who are some of your clients?
Our clients include TATA, Reverso, Bosch, Impact, Boba, Freestone, and many others.
35What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy projects with complex ecosystems, where design influences both user experience and measurable business performance.
36What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Creating innovations in design and conducting research on the intersection of design, AI, and emotional engagement.
37Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We work as a team of highly talented designers, combining expertise to deliver stronger outcomes.
38Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I’m collaborating with IT Cluster Ukraine to develop and implement a bachelor’s program in digital design across universities.
39How can people contact you?
Via our website, LinkedIn, or Behance.
40Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Thank you — everything was comprehensive and fulfilling!
A' Design Award គឺជាពានរង្វាន់រចនាល្អអន្តរជាតិដែលវាយតម្លៃដោយគណៈកម្មការ។ ចូលរួមក្នុង A' Design Award ដើម្បីទទួលបានឱកាសក្នុងការទទួលស្គាល់ដោយគុណសម្បត្តិ ទទួលបានកិត្តិនាម កិត្តិយស និងការផ្សព្វផ្សាយសម្រាប់ការងាររបស់អ្នក។ ដាក់ស្នាដៃរបស់អ្នកសម្រាប់ A' Design Award ហើយប្រកួតប្រជែងដើម្បីឈ្នះ A' Design Prize ដ៏គោរពរាប់អាន។