My name is Kirill Zharkoy, and I am a designer. I've been drawn to design for as long as I can remember, long before it became a career. Over 10 years in graphic design, I realized that my favorite area is branding. What keeps me here is the core challenge of it: to take the essence of a brand and distil all the meanings, goals and values of it into a single visual image. Then build a whole brand universe from that one idea. That's the part I find endlessly interesting. My measure of a successfull project is simple — it has to keep living after I'm done with it and doesn’t end up being shelved. Systematic thinking and a healthy dose of skepticism allow me to create concepts that stand the test of time. Or at least, I strive for them to.

My name is Kirill Zharkoy, and I am a designer. I've been drawn to design for as long as I can remember, long before it became a career. Over 10 years in graphic design, I realized that my favorite area is branding. What keeps me here is the core challenge of it: to take the essence of a brand and distil all the meanings, goals and values of it into a single visual image. Then build a whole brand universe from that one idea. That's the part I find endlessly interesting. My measure of a successfull project is simple — it has to keep living after I'm done with it and doesn’t end up being shelved. Systematic thinking and a healthy dose of skepticism allow me to create concepts that stand the test of time. Or at least, I strive for them to.

What I actually do

What I actually do

Brand Identity

I develop brand identity concepts with a logo, color palette, typography, and other branded graphic elements. Together, we work with ideas, strategy, and context to create a unique identity. In the end, you get a small style guide along with finalized brand assets. Or we can do full brand guidelines as well.

Art Direction & Consulting

Art Director & Brand Designer

I help businesses identify weak spots and unlock visual potential. I can join your process at any stage — to shape direction, support execution, or push a project across the finish line. I also work with designers directly, offering feedback, structure, and creative growth.

3D imagery & Motion

I craft 3D illustration and animation styles, as well as individual pieces. My branding background helps me understand the core brand idea and style to extrude it into 3D and motion. I work in Blender, Cinema 4D and After Effects.

Graphic Design

I create all kinds of graphic design across styles and formats — icons, merchandise, posters, books, presentations, and more. Whether it’s part of an identity system or a standalone piece, I make sure it’s clear, expressive, and on point.

Experience

Experience

Freelance

Art Director & Designer

May 2024 – Now

Operated as a solo branding art director — owning strategy, direction, and execution across 30+ identity projects over nearly two years of independent practice. Collaborated with various studios and agencies as an Art Director and Freelance Brand Designer.

Kickstarted businesses across different industries by developing brand identities and visual concepts, both independently and in collaboration with creative agencies. Created brand identity and scalable guidelines for Moppr, US-based cleaning startup, in collaboration with TITL Agency. As an Art Director led the development of brand identity for full-cycle AI video studio AIST together with Agency Luxembourg. Developed the visual style for FLUF, home textile and bed linen brand.

Produced high-quality 3D illustrations and iconography and developed illustration guidelines. In 2024, joined an in-house team of Yandex 360, Russia’s largest collaborative service for work and everyday use, to lead a two-month R&D project to define a new 2D and 3D illustration style. The resulting styles, with minor adjustments, are now widely used across the brand’s communications. Since then, developed 20+ key visuals for product communication and advertising campaigns within the approved style.

LINII
Award-winning banding agency from Moscow, Russia

Senior Brand Designer

May 2021 – May 2024

Progressed from Middle to Senior Brand Designer over three years.

Designed brand identities and delivered complete concepts, from initial idea to final brand book, with a multimedia-first approach for clients across tech, finance, HoReCa, and retail.

Developed brand identity and scalable guidelines for Magnit Market, online marketplace made by biggest Russian food retailer Magnit, which helped double the online trade of the brand in 2024. Rebranded MAKRO, one of Uzbekistan’s largest retail chains; Eskhata, one of the top 3 banks in Tajikistan. Redesigned logo and created several brand identity concepts for leading Russian electronics and home appliances retailer M.Video in 2023. Created unique brand identity based on 3D graphics for Telcell Wallet, Armenian financial operator’s e-wallet service.

Led the end-to-end development of all motion design and 3D projects within the agency. Designed case studies using motion design and 3D to clearly communicate brand stories and project outcomes. Delivered internal lectures on 3D design and AI-generated imagery, driving deeper adoption of these tools across the agency. Wrote articles and posts on AI (2023), positioning LINII as one of the first branding agencies to actively integrate AI software into its practice.

Freelance

Medium Brand & Motion Designer

Sep 2020 – May 2021

Worked with numerous creative agencies on brand identity, motion design and 3D projects. Designed brand identities and visual concepts for various clients as a freelancer. As a part of in-house team developed and maintained the social media communication concept for ‘igooods’, grocery delivery service.

Completed the ‘XYZ School’ course on 3D modelling for gaming industry, skills from which are still used in my design practice.

Nimax
Digital and brand experience agency from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Nimax
Digital and brand experience agency from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Medium Brand & Motion Designer

Medium Brand & Motion Designer

Oct 2018 – Sep 2020

Oct 2018 – Sep 2020

Progressed from Junior to Middle Brand Designer.

As a member of branding department I designed brand identities and delivered finished concepts for clients in tech, HR, finance, etc. Completed numerous graphic design tasks such as designing print media, presentations, websites using no-code editors (Tilda, Readymag), designing social media content, etc.;

Learned 3D and motion design from ground up while working on internal and client projects.

IQ Option
Fintech company from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Junior Graphic Designer

Jul 2018 – Oct 2018

Completed numerous graphic design tasks such as designing print media, presentations, onboarding materials, social media publications, etc.

Stories
Lifestyle magazine from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Lead Editorial Designer

Mar 2018 – Nov 2018

Developed and curated a visual concept for lifestyle magazine about Saint Petersburg.

IKON Group
Digital agency from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Junior Graphic Designer

Nov 2016 – May 2017

Developed technical & print design, brand identities, brandbooks, presentations and website concepts.

Let’s get in touch and make something great together!