My First Tool — A Pencil
My love for creativity began almost as soon as I was born. I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, and it became my go-to escape from boredom anywhere, anytime. By the age of two, I was already spending hours exploring the possibilities of a simple sheet of paper and a pencil.
The Computer Era: Discovering Paint
When I was seven, we got our first computer — my dad built it himself. This was in the late '90s in Ukraine, and having a computer at home was a rare thing. I was one of the lucky ones who mastered Minesweeper, Solitaire, and, of course, the legendary Paint on Windows 95.
My first graphic design software! I would spend endless hours creating what could be considered the first "ads" and "posters." Of course, no one ordered them, and no one paid for them, but it didn’t matter — it was pure joy. My imagination had its own space to fly.
Photoshop: The Beginning of True Creativity
At the age of 13, I got my hands on Photoshop, and with it came endless experiments. This was before YouTube and tutorials, so I learned through trial and error. My first task was to "retouch" my own problematic teenage skin. To be honest, it wasn’t always successful, but it was great practice.
Choosing a Major: Between Technology and Art
The web design profession didn’t exist yet, so when it was time to apply to university, I chose a practical technical major. At the same time, I kept my creative side alive — I became the "designer" of the chemistry faculty where I studied. At that point, I still hadn’t realized that design could actually become my career.
Turning My Hobby Into My Profession
At some point, it clicked: the hobby I had pursued since childhood was what I really wanted to do professionally. Web design became the perfect blend of my technical skills, analytical thinking, and creative ambitions. It’s art with logic, beauty with structure. Now I can honestly say that my job brings me both joy and income.
