We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Vitali Zahharov ("VZ").
Born and raised in Estonia, Vitali is an award-winning digital designer whose artistic journey has traversed continents, from Singapore to Spain and presently in Los Angeles, CA. With a seamless blend of expertise in both product and art direction, Vitali has left an indelible mark on the startup landscape, skillfully navigating the intersection of design and business. Renowned for their visual acumen, [Vitali has lent their creative touch to world-class brands such as Huawei, Oracle, Toshiba, UFC, and others, crafting digital experiences that transcend mere aesthetics.
Vitali Zahharov Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Vitali Zahharov.
Vitali Zahharov Design - Digital Wallet Mobile App
Designer Interview of Vitali Zahharov:
DI: 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?
VZ : Hi all. My name is Vitali Zahharov. I'm a visual designer and storyteller with development background and passion to travel currently working as a freelancer. Always trying to create modern experiences for big or small brands with purpose. I am an objective personality - Create an awesome product, help sell it, achieve client's goals. My passion to design started in 2005 when I firstly opened Photoshop, but I can't call my old works as part of the design, it's more like child playing with toy, and doesn't know that toy can speak.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VZ : Currently I work as freelance full-time designer for YML. Also, I'm creating my own design studio, but it's too early to talk about.
DI: What is "design" for you?
VZ : It's literally everything. It's lifestyle.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VZ : I like visual design, conceptual design when you have a freedom, also I'm fan of animation.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VZ : My favorite - Netflix. I'm in love how did they do. I'm absolutely thrilling with Netflix's interface.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
VZ : First thing - banners.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
VZ : Figma + Principle.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
VZ : Usually at night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
VZ : I'm caring about people who will use this product afterwards.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
VZ : Joy. Honestly, it's Joy.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
VZ : If final results looks the same as I designed it - I'm happiest person ever.
DI: What makes a design successful?
VZ : There too many aspects, starting from colors and interface ending with date of publishing.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
VZ : How easy I can use this design/product.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
VZ : Unfortunately I didn't' had any exhibitions.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
VZ : Everyday I scrolling through Pinterest, Behance and Dribble for inspirations.
DI: 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?
VZ : Elegant, Modern, Stylish and Easy-to-Use.
DI: How do you work with companies?
VZ : I work in team usually as a team player, so every team member is matter when you doing the big projects in the company.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
VZ : There are no right decisions about it. Every company can fail with the hiring new employee, even big and famous one. It's mostly depends on good hiring process and people around. I'm happy to work in such great company because people around me always can help me with some problems, and I can fully trust them in any aspects of the life.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
VZ : I'm visual design, and for me very important to see the beautiful picture. So, my design process is easy one, I'm drawing what I'm feeling currently and how I see the things at the moment. so my design is pretty emotional, and can be very different depends on my mood. There are no special technique - every designer is unique I think and has it's own rules to design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
VZ : Chair, Table, Macbook, mouse & my phone.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
VZ : First thing I'm doing at the morning - checking emails, social media and answering the emails to the client. Then I have my free time during that time - I'm usually shopping or go to gym. Starting from 3pm I work and usually my workday is ending at the midnight.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
VZ : For young and creative people I can say only one thing - "Don't give up, just work, work and work!"
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
VZ : Positive - you are always in trend, you are always following the best designers and designs and know who did that design or who did another, that's pretty cool. Negative thing, I don't see any. Maybe, you are working and sometimes you literally don't have time for you personal life.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
VZ : For me, 'golden rule' in the design is finding balance between lifestyle and work.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
VZ : I think designer should be friendly, helpful, positive, attention to the details and loyal.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
VZ : I'm fan of Figma, but widely using Sketch, Adobe Suite, Principle and some other online stuff such as Zeplin, Invision, Abstract, Slack.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
VZ : I'm always trying to find the right time for every task. I should always know how much hours or days, or even weeks I can spend on the project or task. It's very important for me, because sometimes I have three or four projects at once, and I just need to find the perfect balance between them all.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
VZ : Depends on the project for sure. Usually, let's say two weeks is enough.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
VZ : 'How much is your hourly rate?'
DI: What was your most important job experience?
VZ : I think when I was Art-Director in Singapore. I learned so much, I worked with different people with all around the world, and also I had experience live and work in different country from 10000 miles away from my home. That's was very cool, I'm always recall that time.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
VZ : UFC, Royal Caribbean, TaxAct, dosist, Naumi Hotels, Legrand, Singapore Government, Universal Music Group, SteelCase.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
VZ : I'm enjoying designing apps. I love when I have limited resources, for example in apps I have screen with some size which should be filled in with information, and how it should be up to me. Even a small information on the screen could be a headache and could take a few hours to place in the right corner.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
VZ : My ideal plan is - open design agency in US.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
VZ : Only as a team. I'm a team player.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
VZ : Currently I'm working on my own brand. Can't tell much.
DI: How can people contact you?
VZ : It's easy. Using my primary email - hello@vitali.work, Or they can reach me using my website - www.vitali.work too.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
VZ : I want to say thank you for reading all these answers!