Daniela
Muntyan

What led you into design?

I was raised in a very small town in southern Ukraine and from a young age, I had a deep love for art. At the age of 6, I joined an art school in my town and I am forever grateful to my parents for supporting this decision. In art school, I not only studied classic art, but also design, sculpture, and creating posters. 

After graduating, I moved to Kyiv and started working as a graphic designer. I was amazed that something I had been doing in school and at home in Photoshop could actually earn me money. My favourite projects at the time were mostly designing books, typefaces, and identities for clients.

At some point, I realised the deep connection between book design and interfaces. This realisation led me to study interface design at KAMA, and I quickly discovered that it was something I truly loved. I was excited by the idea that so many people would be able to see and interact with my work, following a path that I had created for them. I wanted to use my design skills to help people, and focusing on interface and application design allowed me to bring this idea to life.

I began my journey as a product designer in Kyiv, but in 2022, I was forced to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing war. Despite losing my house and spending three challenging months in Kyiv, I decided to start anew in Limassol, Cyprus. After six months of rebuilding and rediscovery in the sunny surroundings of Cyprus, I realised that my passion for design was leading me towards London.

I am currently thriving in my role at Craft Docs in London, where I am grateful to be a part of an innovative and inspiring team. My journey has been filled with challenges, but I am excited about the growth and opportunities that lie ahead in my design career.

What does a typical day look like?

I typically start my day at 6:00am by heading to a nearby coffee shop for a large cappuccino. This peaceful start allows me to ease into my day without any rush. I then either return home or go to the office, where I begin my work day by writing daily notes. This helps me organise my tasks and set a clear direction for the day ahead.

Throughout the day, I have meetings with other designers and engineers, but I mostly focus on my work and try to maintain a productive mindset. I find that being able to focus on a task helps me efficiently solve problems and contribute effectively to projects.

Whenever I work on a project or come up with a new concept, I make it a point to document my contribution and write a small report. It's something that we all do in our team to keep track of our progress and ensure that we're meeting our responsibilities. This process is essential to me as it helps in the workflow and serves as a way to use our product daily. It makes me happy to see the results of my work being utilised in Craft Docs.

What's your workstation setup?

My workspace, especially my desk, is not super tidy. It is usually more like creative chaos. I mainly work on my 14-inch MacBook Pro, but sometimes, I use a few other laptops to render different videos. Additionally, I have an iPad and a few different iPhones to test my designs as quickly as possible. I even have an iPhone SE for this purpose. I also use a Fujifilm X-T200 with a TTArtisan DJ-OPTICAL 35 / 1.4 lens for recording videos.

Where do you go to get inspired?

I am seeking inspiration in the non-digital world because I have realised I spend too much time on my laptop. It is crucial for me to visit libraries, museums, exhibitions, and theatres to find different sources of inspiration. For example, I have discovered that Japanese stationery is a fantastic source of inspiration for me. I love the notebooks, washi tapes, and stickers, as they provide a perfect writing experience. I miss the time when my notebook was filled with various stickers.

I also use a website with a collection of book covers to find new compositions and interesting colour decisions. 

I am building my Design Library to keep track of all the gems I come across, and I believe it is important to share your inspiration with others.

What product have you recently seen that made you think this is great design?

I recently came across the Noting Ear (a) and was blown away by its design. The quality of sound and durability far surpassed my expectations, and the vibrant yellow colour added a stylish touch. It's a prime example of exceptional design in technology.

Epidemic Sound also caught my eye with their new look. As a global soundtracking platform, they have transformed into a true creative partner for creators. Their design is engaging, fun, and sparks curiosity, reflecting the diverse nature of their users.

Another product that left a lasting impression on me is mmm.page. It's a fun and exciting tool that allows for self-expression in endless ways. I highly recommend giving it a try to experience its creative potential firsthand.

What pieces of work are you most proud of?

I am incredibly proud of my recent work at Craft Docs as a Product Designer. Joining such an innovative team and working on a product that allows users to express themselves through document creation has been a true honour. One project that I am particularly proud of is the Widget update for all platforms. Based on user feedback, we were able to streamline the document creation process by allowing users to create documents directly from the Widget feature, which has been a game-changer.

In my previous experience, one of my favourite side projects was the creation of a Programmable Syringe Pump. This device was designed to help scientists automate and simplify their chemical experiments, particularly in the time-consuming process of slow chemical mixing. By allowing precise chemical additions at regular intervals without the need for constant human intervention, this device has the potential to save scientists valuable time.

Another project I am incredibly proud of is the development of xScan during my time at Genesis. While competitors were utilising AI technology to enhance document quality, we took a different approach by experimenting with native iOS filters. Through various tests and iterations, we created real-time filters that significantly improved the quality of scanned images, allowing users to manually apply selected filters for optimal results. This project pushed the boundaries of traditional scanning technology and produced innovative solutions for our users.

What design challenges do you face at your company?

As part of the design team at Craft Docs, we face various challenges when designing for multiple platforms, such as iOS, macOS, web, Windows, and iPad. It is crucial for us to constantly consider the differences between each platform and ensure that our design decisions work seamlessly across all of them.

We are constantly learning and trying to find innovative solutions to problems, even if they may not always be successful. It is all part of the learning process and helps us grow as designers.

Another challenge we face is creating products that not only function well but also allow users to be more creative and express themselves. It is a balancing act between usability and creativity, and we strive to find the perfect blend that meets both needs.

Additionally, listening to our community and quickly responding to feature requests is crucial for us. We prioritise user feedback and make sure to incorporate it into our designs to create a product that truly meets the needs of our users.

Overall, navigating these design challenges allows us to continually improve and innovate in our work, ensuring that our products are always at the forefront of design and user experience.

What music do you listen to while designing?

Any advice for ambitious designers?

• Trust yourself and listen to your instincts: It is easy to get distracted by external influences, but ultimately it is your design, your career, and your personal growth that matters the most. Trust in your abilities and decisions.
• Seek feedback and advice from others: It is important to listen to others and consider their perspectives. However, remember that you have the final say in your work and career choices. Take responsibility for your decisions.
• Stay passionate and motivated: Design can be a challenging field, but it is important to stay passionate about your work and maintain a positive attitude. Keep pushing yourself to learn and grow as a designer.
• Network and collaborate with others: Building connections in the design industry can be invaluable for your career growth. Collaborate with other designers, attend industry events, and keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• Never stop learning: Design is a constantly evolving field, so it is crucial to stay updated with the latest tools, techniques, and trends. Take courses, attend workshops, and always strive to improve your skills.

Remember, success in the design industry requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks. Stay true to yourself, trust your instincts, and keep pushing yourself to achieve your goals.

Anything you want to promote or plug?

Please consider checking out Craft Docs and giving it a try. I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience and thoughts. You can reach out to me at muntyan.dana@gmail.com or on Twitter, and you can find the rest of me at danielamuntyan.com. 

Thank you!