Krystyna Salyuk
I was born in Crimea, Ukraine, and since then I’ve lived in eight countries and picked up seven languages along the way. After immigrating to the U.S. as a kid, I received a full scholarship to college, where I created my own major and shaped a deeply personal education. I curated my classes across design, sociology, psychology, a bit of urbanism and architecture, and sought out professors who truly inspired me. That freedom helped me connect the dots between disciplines, something I continue to do in my work today.
Design thinking spills into nearly every part of my life. I’m constantly ideating, prototyping, and testing ways to make daily life smoother—both for myself and those around me. If I had to sum up my approach, I’d call it holistic. I like things clean, smart, and intentional. As a lifelong futurist (and sci-fi nerd), I’m always looking ahead and drawn to what's new, modern, and evolving. But I believe the future of design should also be deeply human. Whether it’s making something easier to understand, adding warmth to a digital experience, or finding quiet ways to bring us closer to nature, I see good design as a bridge between innovation and well-being.
When I’m not building brand systems, shaping editorial layouts, or mapping user flows, you’ll usually find me immersed in my art. I oil paint with a surrealist approach, dreamlike and detailed. Lately, I’ve been diving into ceramics as well. Outside the studio, I’m often reading about neuroscience, psychology, and the intricacies of human relationships, or in the kitchen, making pear and gorgonzola risotto way more often than I probably should.
