hi, i’m klara,
a graphic designer & visual storyteller
a graphic designer & visual storyteller
@klara_the_designer
As a child, I spent a lot of time in my father’s design studio flipping
through Pantone swatches, browsing calendars, and watching projects
come to life in CorelDRAW. In my teens, I became fascinated by printing
presses, observing them whenever we picked up finished materials.
Later, I worked part-time assembling packages, brochures, and boxes,
gaining hands-on experience with the tangible side of design. Although
I didn’t initially pursue it as my career, I developed a strong foundation
in creativity through dance, which I practiced professionally for 11 years.
During that time, I led conceptual projects, collaborated in teams, taught,
and organized creative processes. These skills became essential when
I transitioned into design. My deep understanding of the dance industry
helped me establish myself as a professional and transform my previous
experience into engaging visual identities for choreographers and events.
through Pantone swatches, browsing calendars, and watching projects
come to life in CorelDRAW. In my teens, I became fascinated by printing
presses, observing them whenever we picked up finished materials.
Later, I worked part-time assembling packages, brochures, and boxes,
gaining hands-on experience with the tangible side of design. Although
I didn’t initially pursue it as my career, I developed a strong foundation
in creativity through dance, which I practiced professionally for 11 years.
During that time, I led conceptual projects, collaborated in teams, taught,
and organized creative processes. These skills became essential when
I transitioned into design. My deep understanding of the dance industry
helped me establish myself as a professional and transform my previous
experience into engaging visual identities for choreographers and events.
my path
One of the key qualities that defines me is visual-verbal thinking.
I perceive ideas through images and notice details others often miss. Every pixel and every inch matters to me. Negative space is treated
as a gem. I easily articulate concepts through words and translate
emotions into clear, structured visual systems. My process starts with
understanding the core problem and building thoughtful design solutions
that strengthen communication, not just aesthetics. I am guided by
the philosophy of simplicity: adding what matters, removing what’s not,
creating rhythm, clarity, and long-term value. I place great importance
on production quality and appreciate perfection in print, where I find
beauty in consistency and precision. I approach my work with intellectual
curiosity and open-mindedness, which I see as the foundation of my
professional growth.
I perceive ideas through images and notice details others often miss. Every pixel and every inch matters to me. Negative space is treated
as a gem. I easily articulate concepts through words and translate
emotions into clear, structured visual systems. My process starts with
understanding the core problem and building thoughtful design solutions
that strengthen communication, not just aesthetics. I am guided by
the philosophy of simplicity: adding what matters, removing what’s not,
creating rhythm, clarity, and long-term value. I place great importance
on production quality and appreciate perfection in print, where I find
beauty in consistency and precision. I approach my work with intellectual
curiosity and open-mindedness, which I see as the foundation of my
professional growth.
my principles
skills
Photoshop
Premiere Pro / Indesign / Tilda
After Effects / Illustrator / Figma
Blender / AI-assisted design
English – B2 (Upper-Intermediate) / French – A2 (Pre-Intermediate)
Blogging
Storytelling
& Writing
& Writing
Film Photography
Self-Learning
& Self-Organization
& Self-Organization
Support
& Mentorship
& Mentorship
Time Management
Respectfulness
& Empathy
& Empathy
Result-Oriented Mindset
Self-Reflection
& Adaptability
& Adaptability
«Graphic Designer Program»
Online-University Skillbox / 2019-2021 / Russia
Online-University Skillbox / 2020 / Russia
«Digital Profession: Web Design»
Coursera / MOMA Museum / 2020 / USA
«What is contemporary art»
Taught by LA-based director @basechkaa / 2022
«Basistaya x Plenka: Film Photography»
Taught by Barcelona-based journalist @mingalimova / 2024
«Upstarts: YouTube and Journalism Basics»
education
experience
Freelance
May 2020 – Present
Designed corporate print materials for internal and
external events, including business cards, flyers,
badges, invitations, and postcards.
Created web banners for Yandex ecosystem services,
primarily Yandex Fintech and Yandex Advertising.
Developed visual materials for Yandex Advertising
conferences, including an international event
in Tashkent.
Designed podcast covers and announcements for
«Pyatnitsa» and «YaTalks».
Ensured all designs adhered to corporate standards
and brand guidelines.
external events, including business cards, flyers,
badges, invitations, and postcards.
Created web banners for Yandex ecosystem services,
primarily Yandex Fintech and Yandex Advertising.
Developed visual materials for Yandex Advertising
conferences, including an international event
in Tashkent.
Designed podcast covers and announcements for
«Pyatnitsa» and «YaTalks».
Ensured all designs adhered to corporate standards
and brand guidelines.
October 2021 – March 2022
Yandex LLC
Creative and visual leadership on projects: idea generation, design system development,
full execution across formats, and client communication. Experience with large-scale
shows (up to 5 000 attendees), regional, national, and international competitions
(up to 2 000 attendees), and intimate concerts (up to 200 attendees).
Long-term design support for creative centers: daily tasks, maintaining brand identity,
working with teams and social media departments.
Collaboration with fashion brand and one of the leading merchandise producers in the CIS
«ODIN.UNSX»: creation of original prints, label and packaging design, fabric selection,
application methods, and prepress preparation. Designs formed the basis of collections
that sold out within 30 minutes.
Brand identity and logo development for companies and individuals, taking into account
communication goals, target audience, and cohesive visual storytelling.
Projects with companies, private clients, musicians, and bloggers: full-range visual
support (web graphics, print, motion design, video editing) to increase recognition and
audience engagement.
Leadership of a small design team (3 people): task delegation, quality control, mentorship,
and junior designer development.
Deep understanding of the creative industry, with expertise in art and media. Built through
long-term collaboration with clients across Russia (30+ cities) and international projects
(6 countries).
full execution across formats, and client communication. Experience with large-scale
shows (up to 5 000 attendees), regional, national, and international competitions
(up to 2 000 attendees), and intimate concerts (up to 200 attendees).
Long-term design support for creative centers: daily tasks, maintaining brand identity,
working with teams and social media departments.
Collaboration with fashion brand and one of the leading merchandise producers in the CIS
«ODIN.UNSX»: creation of original prints, label and packaging design, fabric selection,
application methods, and prepress preparation. Designs formed the basis of collections
that sold out within 30 minutes.
Brand identity and logo development for companies and individuals, taking into account
communication goals, target audience, and cohesive visual storytelling.
Projects with companies, private clients, musicians, and bloggers: full-range visual
support (web graphics, print, motion design, video editing) to increase recognition and
audience engagement.
Leadership of a small design team (3 people): task delegation, quality control, mentorship,
and junior designer development.
Deep understanding of the creative industry, with expertise in art and media. Built through
long-term collaboration with clients across Russia (30+ cities) and international projects
(6 countries).
commercial
posters
posters
My portfolio always starts with posters – I have created over 2 000, and this remains my
favorite format. For me, a poster is both a flash of bright, immediate emotion that catches
the eye and a structured, self-contained statement. I consider this balance especially
important in an age of rapid consumption.
favorite format. For me, a poster is both a flash of bright, immediate emotion that catches
the eye and a structured, self-contained statement. I consider this balance especially
important in an age of rapid consumption.
event & brand
identity
identity
Event design is about creating a world that transitions from screen to reality: participant
badges, certificates in winners’ hands. I value seeing people interact with design in real
life. Brand identity is always both a challenge and a responsibility, building a whole system
that is adaptable, highly recognizable, communicates clearly, and delivers lasting impact.
badges, certificates in winners’ hands. I value seeing people interact with design in real
life. Brand identity is always both a challenge and a responsibility, building a whole system
that is adaptable, highly recognizable, communicates clearly, and delivers lasting impact.
motion
design
design
I strive to breathe life into projects, giving static designs emotion and rhythm. As a former
choreographer, I don’t use movement for its own sake – I understand the importance of
emphasis and highly value musicality. I primarily work in After Effects and am gradually
incorporating Blender into my workflow.
choreographer, I don’t use movement for its own sake – I understand the importance of
emphasis and highly value musicality. I primarily work in After Effects and am gradually
incorporating Blender into my workflow.
logo
For me, logo design is about capturing the personality and character of a brand.
I don’t rely on templates or a single style – each project is a new exploration, driven by
the client’s goals and values.
I don’t rely on templates or a single style – each project is a new exploration, driven by
the client’s goals and values.
A local brand of women's
fitness clothing
fitness clothing
Brand of bamboo
eco-straws
eco-straws
Jumping and strength training
studio for women only (redesign)
studio for women only (redesign)
IDC (International Dance Center) branch studio
National solo choreography contest for children and youth
Urban dance studio
National cover dance
championship
championship
Local bakery and pastry shop
National contemporary and urban dance festival (redesign)
Urban dance championship
Photo and video production studio
International contemporary and urban dance championship (2024 version)
Dance center for contemporary
and street styles
and street styles
Project that provides real-time alerts about local military, political, and law enforcement risks
Urban dance studio
(redesign)
(redesign)
merch
Merch is a point of connection between a brand and a person, not just a logo on fabric.
A brand becomes part of everyday life only through products that carry meaning
and emotion. It is precisely these items that achieve commercial success.
A brand becomes part of everyday life only through products that carry meaning
and emotion. It is precisely these items that achieve commercial success.
Working within a large ecosystem enhanced my systematic thinking, attention to detail,
and accountability for results, strengthening my ability to find expressive solutions within
strict constraints.
and accountability for results, strengthening my ability to find expressive solutions within
strict constraints.
beyond
the portfolio
the portfolio
Beyond commercial projects, I actively develop my voice as a creator and cultivate
a space where I explore visual culture, experiment with diverse forms, and share insights
on design – both as a creative process and in terms of its social and cultural significance,
always learning and reflecting along the way.
a space where I explore visual culture, experiment with diverse forms, and share insights
on design – both as a creative process and in terms of its social and cultural significance,
always learning and reflecting along the way.
Contact for inquiries, collaborations, and project discussions
A design blog for non-designers,
to learn more about the environment we live in
to learn more about the environment we live in
A channel about
«design-clarification» the most pressing, creative, and hidden aspects of design
«design-clarification» the most pressing, creative, and hidden aspects of design
Archive of my professional
and personal projects, viewed by hundreds of thousands monthly
and personal projects, viewed by hundreds of thousands monthly
@klara_the_designer
klarakochetkova@gmail.com
thank you
for your time
& attention
for your time
& attention
