New Juror Spotlight: Dmytro Lynnyk

Dmytro Lynnyk

Creative Director, Linnikov Agency

AIVA Juror Dmytro Lynnyk is the Creative Director and Brand Designer of the Linnikov International Branding Agency in Lviv, Ukraine. Linnikov has quickly established itself as one of Ukraine’s top branding and advertising agencies, having created the branding design for the world’s tallest hotel, Burj Boutique in Dubai.

Lynnyk has received honors from the International Design Awards and Indigo for his Burj Boutique work, and serves as a mentor, contributing writer, and creative director for a number of creative organizations in his country including the ADC*UA Club and the All-Ukrainian Advertising Coalition. We asked Lynnyk to share some of his inspirations and career insights below.

What brands are you following currently?

I actively watch the Ogilvy agency, one of the best network agencies in the world. Every one of their projects is a work of art. There is something for me to learn in every job of theirs that I view.

I get great pleasure and a lot of inspiration from the winners’ projects at Cannes Lions.

Stefan Sagmeister is an incredibly talented designer. Fortunately, I know him personally and I greatly admire his talent!

Well, Apple – I’m just in love with this brand. It is partially my professional archetype. So with Apple, I have a mix of love at first sight and loyalty forever.

What TV series are you in love with?

I am by no means an expert with television, since watching a series can gobble up a lot of valuable time. There are two series, however, that I’ve actively watched in my adult life.
I enjoyed the way that Billions shows a firsthand look at America, while Game of Thrones draws you in with its magic. They both draw you in, where you end up spending half the night watching these shows.

What was your first job?

I was predisposed to design from birth. My family, father, and uncle were professional artists, and I grew up surrounded by art. I graduated from art school and have always loved to draw. Some acquaintances, knowing my inclinations, offered me a job as a graphic designer for their newspaper on the condition that in 2-3 months, I would learn how to use software that I did not know at the time. It was a fantastic experience, learning at night in their office on their computer, as I didn’t have my own at the time. Soon enough, I felt that I had made the right choice.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I wake up at 8 am, have breakfast, and look through my daily itinerary. Once I’m in the office, I have calls or meetings with clients and my team. After a break at the gym or a silent walk around in nature, I’ll have lunch. In the late afternoon, I have some coffee and develop some creative concepts, record instructional videos – I try to hold all meetings and discussions in the first half of the day so that I can be free and really create after lunch. I have dinner in the office around 7. After that, I try to allocate 30 minutes to an hour every evening for studying or reading. Once I’m home at 8 or 9 pm, I’ll spend time with my family, watching movies with my wife, or talking about philosophy. I fall asleep around midnight or 1 am.

What are your top three mobile apps this year?

Lensa. IDAGIO for streaming classical music. LinkedIn.

What is your advice to designers at the beginning of their careers?

Everyone who wants to become a designer should try. You won’t know when it’s yours if you don’t touch it. I would advise looking for mentors – thanks to the internet and online courses, this will not be a problem. Ask them to become their shadow, assistants, coffee carriers, etc. They can give essential and necessary lessons, and translate their experience to you. Your development will increase exponentially if you are lucky to meet them in real life. If they want to share their experience, a mentor will be the best way to quickly achieve your goals as you grow as a young designer.

What are three words to describe you?

Creative thinking, perfectionism, and openness.

What movie have you seen recently that surprised you?

Avatar: Way Of The Water. I enjoyed it immensely. I’m impressed with how the film is made from a technical and visual standpoint. It’s a very emotional film that keeps the viewer holding their breath for three hours. I found it better than the first movie, and definitely one of the best movies I’ve seen in recent years!