(ABOUT ME)
IVAN KALKAEV
I am a product designer and design director with 15+ years across brand, products, teams, and technology. The tools changed. The job did not.
the path
I started in brand, moved into digital products, built studios and teams, and ended up working close to engineering
the work
The titles changed. The work did not: understand the problem, set direction, and make sure the thing holds together
now
These days I am most interested in the space between design and engineering: prototypes, systems, AI tools, and real product work
timeline
01
.
Brand & Web
Identity, campaigns, websites, and large teams
2010
02
.
Product
Flows, interfaces, systems, and long product work
2016
03
.
Leadership
Studios, teams, mentoring, and design reviews
2020
04
.
Desing Engineering
Coded prototypes, AI workflows, and frontend logic
2025
in practice
Four things I keep coming back to, whether it is one awkward flow or a whole product slowly changing shape
Find the real problem
The brief is usually surface level. Start where the product gets confusing or expensive
Show the structure
Flows, hierarchy, and copy do more work than visual decoration. They carry weight
Stay close to code
Prototype early, know the states, and design around what can actually ship. Not a mockup
Watch the real product
Handoff is not the end. The product starts telling the truth after launch. Watch it run
