My name is Kostya. I’ve been solving product problems through design for over 20 years.

Born in Minsk, a city of engineers, I learned early to enjoy understanding how things work and finding ways to make them better. I studied management first, then design — a combination that still shapes how I approach product problems today.

Now based in Utrecht, I work hands-on across product strategy, research, UX and UI. I’ve also built design teams from the ground up, scaled them to 20+ people, and co-founded two startups.

In the era of AI, I still like being close to the actual work: testing ideas, shaping solutions directly, and making sure design stays practical, thoughtful, and useful.

When I’m not designing, you’ll find me kayaking, gaming on my Steam Deck, or exploring new places on foot.

Why I Design

Marcel Dassault once said: “For an aircraft to fly well, it must be beautiful.” I believe the same is true for products.

But beauty is not only about aesthetics. Beautiful design means elegant engineering, smart problem-solving, the right balance between data and intuition, and the team and processes behind it.

Creating good design is what inspires me. I enjoy it equally when I shape a single button in Figma or when I run a one-to-one with a teammate — as long as it improves the final result.

That's why design isn't just my job — it's how I see the world.