As our series of member interviews continue, we featured lead designer and co-founder of Apus Agency in Moscow, Russia, Vladimir Isaev. Specializing in visual and digital communication, Vladimir has grown highly successful, along with his business and team.
Tell us about yourself: your background, your work and your history with Apus Agency.
I have been in design for the past 12 years and have participated in many projects. Basically, it all started as a freelance job. In 2013 my partner and I decided to found our own agency - Apus Agency.
What about your design aesthetic makes you different from other designers?
I would say that I am extremely attentive to detail and discipline.
Did you always know you wanted to be a graphic designer? How did you come to this profession and why?
I can’t really say that I actually ever really thought about being a graphic designer. I had tried in so many ways to design, until I had realized that logo and brand design is something that can be connected to all ways of the digital arts. Now, I find myself most attracted to working with major brands and solving their complex problems.
What designer agencies inspire you the most?
I like to see how the following teams solve a problem: Ony, Moving Brands, and Smart Heart. These agencies inspire me to understand the work of a team, rather than the work of just one designer.
What work or works are you most proud of?
I am particularly proud of our projects with Wings Fund, Telecom Trade, Art Quadrum, and Chudo. Right now I’m working on a project that I am sure I will be proud of in the future!
What makes a successful design and designer?
I have always believed that a successful design is a logical design. And that a successful designer is someone who is constantly thinking and analyzing the world around them, someone who continues to improve his or her work.
Is there any advice you would like to give to those designers just starting out?
Don’t doubt yourself, but always think about the ways you can improve your work, the ways you can improve yourself.
What is your design process like?
I first try to understand what kind of problem I have in front of me. Then, and most importantly, I try to relax. I take a walk or something. After, I collect and carefully study the references of each project. I think of all the ideas that could fix the problem and sketch them out. I then analyze each idea, throwing away the unnecessary ones over and over again, until I finally have the idea that I most believe in. If it doesn’t work, I keep trying until I succeed.
As you have stated in the past, you have moved your focus from logo design to complete brand development. What about the brand development process motivates you?
I am most inspired and motivated by teamwork. With brand development, you work closely with your team every day, in order to come up with the right solutions. The team is what motivates me the most. They are my main inspiration.
If you could work for anyone or on any project, who would that client or project be?
Tesla and Space X immediately come to mind, as they bring fantastic and futuristic elements to their whole identity, and to their logos first and foremost.
To see more of Vladimir and Apus Agency’s work, simply click here to see their collection uploaded to the Lounge. You can also view Vladimir’s work by visiting his Behance page here. Visit Apus Agency’s website here. Stay tuned next month as we bring a new designer “Center Stage.”