A creator of worlds since childhood and an applauded pioneer of Ukrainian design, Yurko Gutsulyak is nowadays celebrated as juror, speaker, mentor and consultant not only back home, but also in US and Canada, where he expanded the operations of his Kyiv born design studio. He is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of the reputed Gutsulyak.Studio, globally known for its exquisite design focusing on identity and packaging. A design jetsetter active between New York, Toronto and Kyiv, he constantly analyzes and oversees industry changes and trends that help his projects to outpace the competitors. When he is not focusing on his work, he gives lectures at conferences and in private schools worldwide to encourage forward-thinking in art.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY THE INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE COMMUNITY CAN HELP ITS UKRAINIAN CREATIVE FELLOWS NOW
Those who stayed in Ukraine desperately need some income. Even a small collaboration is helpful. And those who are abroad need your professional references and emotional support. Try to make Ukrainian creativity visible and not mix Ukrainians with Russians in one team or event.
THE STORY OF YOUR WORK/BUSINESS, BEFORE THE WAR & NOW. HOW GOOD LOOKS LIKE IN THE NEAR FUTURE
I still cannot describe my business after the war started. My activity is split into two parts. There is no business in Ukraine now, and I am focused on helping my country through volunteering and building communication on an international level. On the other hand, I need to separate it from the war and imitate normal life, full of creative joy, to continue the business abroad.
ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO UKRAINIAN CREATIVES
Ukrainians have no skills to sell their talent and expertise. Do not be afraid to hire them just because their resume or interview looks less confident. Many Ukrainian creatives are multitalented and do not acknowledge the narrow specialization. So please take it as an advantage. The mixing of different spheres leads to innovations.
A SAMPLE OF YOUR BEST WORK
Sea Cruise cracker with pepper:
Velkopopovicky Kozel beer, limited edition:
Energy Calendar:
Tiger Card – the eleventh card from a 12 years long project:
A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY
When I was about 10, I created the whole civilization. It had its people, cities, transportation, architecture, infrastructure, language, and even alphabet. My favorite toys were all possible construction sets and DIY kits.
A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM REFLECTING THE BEAUTY OF YOUR CULTURE
Truly fascinating and even magical custom is the series of Ukrainian Christmas holidays (January 6 to January 19) with all its carols, chants, costumes, theatrical experience, decorations, and special meals prepared once per year. The number of symbols and stories behind is almost endless, and it is impossible to embrace everything during just one season. It is a lifetime experience.
UKRAINE SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR
The largest European country, Ukraine, remains undiscovered in the heart of well-studied Europe. Did you know that in medieval times princes of Kyiv protected the whole of Europe from nomadic tribes in the East? Did you know that the princess of Kyiv became a queen of France and France worshiped the highly developed Kyiv civilization? For centuries Ukrainian culture stayed silenced or buried. Now it is time to reveal Ukraine to the world and celebrate its international input.
THE BEST THING ABOUT UKRAINIAN CREATIVITY IS
Ukrainian creativity is positively ambitious, flexible, dynamic, and authentically multicultural, as Ukrainians embraced cultural exchange long before it became mainstream.
RECOMMEND AN UKRAINIAN CREATIVE THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
There are so many Ukrainian creatives worth discovering. Start your journey with plasticine illustrator Olga Protasova, jewelry designer Denis Music, book designers Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv, and object designer Victoriya Yakusha.
WHAT IS YOUR CAUSE AND HOW OTHERS CAN HELP
This year, I will finish the project that lasts 12 years and consists of 12 New Year greetings dedicated to Lunar Calendar symbols. The style of this collection is a mix of cultures and times, materials and techniques. It would be great to find a gallery for the exhibition, as well as art journalists, photographers, and videographers who could help tell the story of this one-of-a-kind project.
THE STORY OF YOUR WORK/BUSINESS, BEFORE THE WAR & NOW. HOW GOOD LOOKS LIKE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I still cannot describe my business after the war started. My activity is split into two parts. There is no business in Ukraine now, and I am focused on helping my country through volunteering and building communication on an international level. On the other hand, I need to separate it from the war and imitate normal life, full of creative joy, to continue the business abroad.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
Yurko Gutsulyak earned over 150 reputable awards, including European Design Awards, Epica Awards, Pentawards, Dieline Awards, Red Dot, Golden Drum, Communication Arts, and Graphis. Many of them he received as the first Ukrainian designer in the industry. From 2010 to 2013 Yurko Gutsulyak was elected as the president of Art Directors Club Ukraine. His interviews were published in leading print design magazines, including Novum (Germany), idPure (Switzerland), +design (Greece), idN (Hong Kong), telegraf (Ukraine), Font (Czech Republic), and Brand (China). Countless more appear in digital media.
Prominent achievements and innovative solutions made Yurko Gutsulyak an acclaimed design judge in the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Slovenia, Armenia, and Belarus. Moreover, international museums exhibited several of his iconic works.
HOW PEOPLE CAN FIND YOU IF THEY WANT TO CONNECT WITH YOU?
The studio website is https://gutsulyak.studio
Behance https://www.behance.net/yurko
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gutsulyakstudio
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gutsulyakstudio
My personal pages that showcase other creative topics besides design:
https://www.facebook.com/yurkogutsulyak
https://www.instagram.com/yurkogutsulyak
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurkogutsulyak
YOUR DEFINITION FOR BEAUTY
Beauty is a subjective interference of emotional waves that causes dynamic catharsis.
YOUR DEFINITION FOR A GOOD LIFE
A good life is having a goal for each moment, achieving this goal with available resources, and appreciating satisfaction.
YOUR DEFINITION FOR HUMANITY
Humanity is a sincere desire to understand others in their motives and actions to respond accordingly and preferably with care.
Note: Yurko’s portrait picture was done by the photographer Sasha Maslov.