1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.

Back in 2015, our CEO and founder, Kyrylo Lazariev, followed his passion for digital products and decided to bring even more to this world. That’s how it all started. The Lazarev. digital product design agency was established in Kyiv 8 years ago. Since then, we have grown to a team of 50+ UX strategists, UI/UX, Product & Motion designers, business analysts, and marketing specialists. We’ve also set up an office in New York and aren’t going to stop there. For all these years, we’ve been creating UI/UX designs for early-stage startups and beyond. Our goal is to develop products that people love, letting creativity take the lead while ensuring commercial success. Only in 2022, our projects received over 80 international recognitions for creative excellence. Not for once has Lazarev received the "Agency of Year" nominations from the international community.

2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a digital designer/artist?

We choose this path because of our firm belief in the potential of digital products to transform and enhance people's lives. We saw an opportunity to create platforms that merge creativity, innovation, and business, ultimately improving user experience. So, our journey into the world of digital design began from a deep passion for digital products and their ability to make a meaningful impact, and it still inspires us and fuels our dedication every day.

3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

Lazarev.agency helps startups turn their ideas, products, services, and processes into businesses that dominate the market. Our niches include but aren’t limited to: FinTech, EdTech, Web3, SaaS, mental health, and real estate. We’re committed to help companies get the objectives they pursue, whether it is building a startup from scratch, relaunching the product, securing funding, growing conversions, or anything else. At Lazarev., our expertise spans across branding, UI/UX design, Webflow development, visual communication, motion design, user research services, and product management. Over the past 8 years, we've been growing startups with UI/UX design and leading them to secure millions in funding. In fact, our clients raised $500M owing to our designs.

4 What’s your favorite kind of digital design and why?

We believe that digital design is a combination of different disciplines, and only by leveraging all their strengths, we can achieve the best results. So it’s really difficult to choose a favorite kind. But if we had to pick one, User Experience Design holds a special place for us due to its commitment to usability. We adore how it puts the user at the forefront, ensuring their needs, desires, and frustrations are empathetically addressed.

5 To you, what makes a “good” design?

A "good" design is one that goes beyond just visual appeal. It's about understanding the clients' goals and helping them achieve their desired business results.

6 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

Our design style isn’t bound by a specific set of characteristics. We work with different clients in industries like FinTech, Web3, e-commerce, retail, and more, and our style is shaped by their unique goals and desires. However, one thing always remains pivotal in our design process. It's a human-centered approach. By combining the power of human behavior analysis with our creative expertise, we craft impactful solutions that always resonate with the intended audience.

7 Tell us about your design process.

We have our own tried-and-tested product design methodology that we developed and leverage every day. The design process consists of 4 major pillars: research, prototype design, visual design and product management. Each of these pillars we divide into smaller steps, which we later split into tasks. Here is a sneak peek: firstly, we conduct a preliminary analysis and set up a strategy roadmap. Then we do market research, segment customers, and prepare a value proposition. The next step is UX research, which includes interviews, composition of user personas, and creation of customer journey maps. After that, we move to the UX design phase, where we work on user flow, low-fidelity wireframes, user testing, and quality assurance (QA). Finally, we proceed to the UI design phase, where we create mood boards and design concepts. For more information, you can visit our website and check out the Process section. But the key here is to be flexible and adapt the design process flow to the clients’ needs without jeopardizing the quality of the final product. And that’s what we do when working with startups.

8 Where do you draw inspiration from?

We draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Our team stays up-to-date with the latest design trends, industry developments, and emerging technologies. However, what truly sparks our inspiration is our clients and their unique missions. For instance, when we partnered with NODO, a film equipment manufacturer, their goal to advance cinematography and transform the experience of camera operators sparked our creativity. When working with 11Sight, a video calls & customer engagement platform, we were amazed by its rich functionality and innovative nature. And then there's the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation, which inspired us with its mission to support Ukraine's Defense Forces and aid civilians. We felt a deep sense of purpose in working on their project, as we aimed to contribute to their cause and bring victory closer to the Ukrainian people.

9 What current trends in digital design (or really anything digital related) are you most excited about?

As a digital design agency, we are constantly thrilled about the latest trends in the industry. For example, we're digging modular design, popularized by Apple Keynotes. By employing its principles, we can create more organized & clean layouts. The rise of interactivity and motion design is shaping the digital landscape. With improved computational power and web builders, we create engaging hover interactions, 3D visualizations, immersive scrolling experiences and so much more. We're also excited about the gigantic typography trend. It allows us to emphasize key messages and make a bold impact. New technologies are shaking up the design scene big time. They're streamlining the design process and bridging the gap between ideas and manufacturing. Our founder, Kyrylo Lazariev, always reminds us how awesome it is to live in a Digital Age where we can craft far-reaching designs.

10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 Vega Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

Winning the 2023 Vega Awards is a significant achievement for us. It validates our hard work and dedication, showing that we are on the right path.

11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 Vega Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

Mariemur is a lingerie and harness accessories brand that is all about breaking free from conventional expectations. They believe that lingerie isn't just about comfort and looks; it's about passion, confidence and the way to boldly express yourself. We collaborated with Mariemur on their e-commerce website. Together, we transformed it into a hub that completely reshapes how people perceive women's underwear. The brand's core promise of confidence and self-love gave us the freedom to design a website with an edgy and slightly aggressive aesthetic. It was an absolute blast working on this project, and we were super excited to spread the word about it by entering it into the 2023 Vega Awards.

12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The biggest challenge with this project was striking the right balance between an aggressive aesthetic and maintaining user-friendliness. We needed to ensure that the design didn't overshadow the functionality and usability of the website. Managing this delicate balance was crucial to the success of the project.

13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

Winning an award has been an incredible boost for us. It's not just about the recognition, but also a validation of our design expertise and the quality we bring to our projects. What else? Winning an award has had a profound impact on our team. It's given us a surge of confidence. We're more motivated than ever to deliver exceptional design solutions and surpass our clients' expectations.

14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about the digital industry?

The digital industry is thrilling because of its constant innovation, global reach, and the power to create captivating user experiences. It's a field that fuels our passion and allows us to make a meaningful impact through design

15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the digital industry?

Ukraine is the first country in the world to have an official digital passport and lots of other documents like driving license, marriage certificate, and more. We have this awesome app called Diia that does it all. Ukrainians can even handle private enterprise stuff right from their smartphones, without all the bureaucracy. Even with the Russian aggression going on, Ukraine continues to develop as a digital state. In the first months of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Ministry of Digital Transformation has been rolling out essential services in the Diia app. Users can do things like file a statement about destroyed property, make donations to the army, quickly apply for social benefits from the state, and even chat with a chatbot called eVorog that helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine gather data on enemy troop movements. You should also know that Ukraine is home to many amazing IT companies and creative agencies that are doing remarkable work despite the ongoing war. We also have a rapidly-evolving FinTech sector. With just a few clicks, we can effortlessly transfer funds, open bank accounts on the go, even with a poor Internet connection, and so much more. The key takeaway is that Ukraine is swiftly breaking free from bureaucratic barriers and embracing a world of digital freedom.

16 Where do you see the evolution of digital industry going over the next 5-10 years?

Looking ahead, the future of the digital industry is bright. We'll see advancements in AI, AR/VR, IoT, and cybersecurity. They will reshape how we interact with technology, making it more personalized, immersive, and secure. It's an exciting time to be part of this evolving industry.

17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring Vega Award submitter, what advice would you give them?

To all aspiring students and future Vega Award submitters, here's a piece of advice: dream big, create fearlessly, and never stop learning. Remember, the path to success is paved with passion, perseverance, and a willingness to constantly evolve.

18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the digital industry?

There's a whole treasure trove of resources out there like Dribbble, Behance, Pinterest and more. We wish we could list them all, but trust us, it's like trying to fit an ocean into a teacup. To keep it short, we recommend you follow Lazarev.agency on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Dribbble. We share valuable insights, design inspiration, and sneak peeks into our projects. And don't forget to check out the blog on our website. It's loaded with all sorts of tips to supercharge your digital skills.

19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

Alright, here's a never-before-shared secret. Our Design Lead has a hidden stash of design memes that he unleashes for instant creative inspiration and laughter. Shh, don't tell anyone! Here is one more: one of our Motion Designers (let’s her name be the secret) has a ritual to activate her "creative mode". She puts on a pair of fuzzy unicorn slippers, turns on her playlist, which consists entirely of Billie Eilish songs, and transforms into the design wizard.

20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

The brave people of Ukraine and their resilience and unwavering spirit in the face of challenges. And of course, our incredible team with their passion, creativity, and dedication.

21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Success secret? Embrace passion, learn from failure, and keep evolving. Oh, and don't forget to wear mismatched socks for good luck.

22 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Sure thing! We want to take a moment to say a big thank you to all our awesome clients and the incredible team at Lazarev. We truly appreciate their trust, collaboration, and support, which keeps us moving forward every single day.

WINNING ENTRY

2023
 
A lingerie brand Mariemur, Lazarev.Agency - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Lazarev.Agency

Category

Website & Mobile Sites - Fashion