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Ukrainian Kashambas Website by Alice K |
Home > Winners > Design #140544 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
AK: The main principle of the Kashambas design was to create a visually striking and emotionally resonant website that combines urgency with hope. The idea was to support humanitarian efforts during the devastating events in Ukraine. Inspired by the desire to help people and animals in need, I developed an NFT collection featuring Kashambas — angry, brave cats symbolizing justice and resilience. The pitch deck website complements the NFT collection, using vibrant colors like purple, pink, and yellow to create a positive emotional backdrop, even amidst tragedy. The strict typography reflects the seriousness of the cause, while the graphics focus on engaging users to donate or buy NFTs to support evacuation and humanitarian efforts. This blend of bold visuals and a clear call to action embodies the project's mission.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
AK: My main focus in designing was to create a platform that not only captured attention but also encouraged meaningful action. The goal was to support evacuation efforts and provide humanitarian aid during a critical time in Ukraine. Through both the NFT collection and the pitch deck website, I aimed to inspire users to contribute, whether by donating or purchasing NFTs, while fostering a sense of solidarity and hope.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
AK: The project has always been more than just a design — it's a website for change and support. Moving forward, I plan to expand the reach of this initiative. This includes promoting the NFT collection to a wider audience, potentially collaborating with global organizations and influencers to amplify its message, and using the funds raised to support more humanitarian causes.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
AK: The project was designed in just two weeks. Despite the challenging circumstances, the urgency of the situation and the project’s meaningful purpose kept me focused and motivated.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
AK: The Kashambas concept was not commissioned. It was born out of personal inspiration and a deep desire to help during a time of crisis. This led to the creation of the NFT collection and its accompanying pitch deck website. The project allowed me to channel my creativity into raising funds for the evacuation of people and providing humanitarian aid, combining design with a powerful cause.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
AK: The design is not associated with any specific company. It was created independently as a personal initiative to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The production rights are not for sale or lease, as the primary goal is to use the design for fundraising and raising awareness. The NFTs and the website are produced and managed directly by me, ensuring that all proceeds are directed toward helping people and animals affected by the ongoing crisis.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
AK: The Kashambas project was driven by a personal need to respond to the tragic events. I wanted to use my skills as a designer to make a meaningful impact. Creating an NFT collection and a pitch deck website felt like the perfect way to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian aid. This type of work allowed me to blend creativity with purpose, turning design into a tool for helping people and animals in need.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
AK: No, there were no other designs or designers that influenced the creation of this work. This is a deeply personal project for me, born out of my love for cats and the desire to help others during difficult times. The design is entirely driven by my own vision and emotions, and it reflects my personal connection to the cause.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
AK: The target customers are socially conscious individuals and NFT enthusiasts who are passionate about supporting humanitarian causes. This includes people who want to contribute to helping those affected by the events in Ukraine, whether through donations or by purchasing unique NFT art. Additionally, the project appeals to art lovers and collectors who value meaningful, purpose-driven creations.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
AK: What sets this design apart is its strong emotional impact combined with a clear humanitarian purpose. Unlike other designs, this project merges the creative world of NFTs with a deeply meaningful cause — raising funds for people and animals in crisis. The use of a powerful, angry cat character and bright, vibrant colors captures attention while conveying both the urgency of the situation and the hope for a better future. The design focuses on simplicity, with minimal text and interactive elements, making it easy for users to understand the cause and take action immediately.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
AK: The name «Kashambas» was inspired by both the fierce energy I wanted to convey in the design and a personal touch. In my family, we refer to an angry, rebellious cat as «Kashamba», which perfectly reflects the character I envisioned for the NFT collection. Interestingly, I also call my own cat, Pixel, «Kashamba» when he gets into his mischievous or grumpy moods:) So, the name carries that playful yet fierce connotation, aligning perfectly with the spirit of the collection, which is all about fighting back against adversity and bringing justice in the world.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
AK: I used a combination of tools to bring the concept to life: Adobe Illustrator: For creating the detailed and unique illustrations of the Kashambas. Figma: For designing the pitch deck website and ensuring a seamless user experience and interface. Adobe Photoshop: For image retouching and enhancing the visuals.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
AK: The most unique aspect of the design is its combination of emotional depth and vibrant visuals to address a critical humanitarian cause. The concept features Kashambas, fierce and brave cat warriors, each uniquely designed to symbolize justice and resilience. The use of bright, positive colors like purple, pink, orange, and yellow contrasts the tragic context, creating a powerful emotional balance. The pitch deck website’s minimal textual content and focus on impactful visuals streamline user interaction, making it easy for people to donate or purchase NFTs.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
AK: For this project, I handled the entire visual design, including the concept, layout, and graphic elements. The websites development, including the coding and implementation, was managed by the skilled web development team from my company. While I focused on the user experience, interface design, and visual aesthetics, they ensured the technical execution and functionality of the site.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
AK: Technology was crucial for Kashambas, enabling the creation of detailed illustrations in Adobe Illustrator, intuitive UX/UI in Figma, and responsive web development. Blockchain integration allowed seamless NFT sales and donations, bridging art and humanitarian efforts.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
AK: With over 15 years of design experience, I applied both emotional and analytical insights to this project. I conducted research on user behavior, focusing on how to effectively encourage donations and engagement through a simple, intuitive design. The research included studying UX/UI strategies for one-page sites, NFT trends, and how visuals influence emotions and actions. I also used design principles I teach my students, emphasizing how research plays a crucial role in creating impactful designs. This helped me ensure the website would both connect with users emotionally and guide them to take action.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
AK: One of the biggest challenges was working under constant stress due to the difficult circumstances in Ukraine. Designing while dealing with uncertainty and fear was emotionally draining. Another challenge was finding the right balance between showing the tragedy of the situation and conveying hope for the future. As a UX/UI designer, not an illustrator, it was also a personal challenge to create the NFT characters, but my childhood love for drawing helped me push through and succeed. Creating the Kashambas character with an angry yet determined expression, combined with bright and uplifting colors, helped overcome these challenges.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
AK: I decided to submit my design to an international design competition because I felt it was an opportunity to not only showcase my work but also raise awareness for the cause behind it. The Kashambas NFT collection was created with the intention to support people and animals affected by the ongoing crisis, and I wanted to use the platform of a design competition to amplify the message. International recognition also provided a chance to reach a larger audience, potentially attracting more support for the cause. Additionally, being part of a global competition allows me to gauge how the design resonates with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
AK: Working on Kashambas taught me how to stay strong and adapt under difficult circumstances. I improved my ability to create designs that tell an emotional story while staying functional and effective. This project showed me how powerful design can be in making a real difference and helping people.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
AK: One thing I'd like to add is that this project was deeply personal for me. Designing the Kashambas website was not just a professional task, but also a way to contribute to something meaningful during a tragic time. The challenge was to blend emotions, storytelling, and user experience into a design that would resonate with people on both an emotional and functional level. It was a unique opportunity to merge my expertise as a UX/UI designer with my passion for creativity and helping others, especially in times of need. Additionally, I'm incredibly grateful to the A'Design Award for giving me the opportunity to showcase this project to the world. It's an honor to have been recognized and to be able to share the message of Kashambas with a global audience.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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