Nicole Belskaya
Graphic Designer / Art Director / Occasional Illustrator
Tbilisi, GA
www.behance.net/vividcereal
instagram @vividcereal
Q What do you do?
“I’m bringing my imagination to life.”
Just designing things that were in my head. It can be a brand identity, a vinyl cover for a magical album, candle, an object, movie title or anything else. My job is making my imagination come true.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I had desire to express myself in many visual ways, I just had a hard time learning how. I think anyone has this phase where ends don’t meet but you should push even harder. I got a bachelor's degree in Audio Visual and Media Arts. I worked as a Graphic Designer for 5 years at multiple agencies and studios. Each of them had a different impact on me and my style.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I genuinely think I’m different. I’m coming from a small post soviet country where the design industry is not that developed. Somehow my imagination and attitude to work managed to get me where I am now. Working with clients from all over the world. Submitting projects that I’m proud of and that stand out. I think my cultural background, my ability and willingness to learn and my vision make me stand out in my field.
Q What are you working on right now?
For the last couple of years I’ve been working mainly on brand identities and mainly inside the studios. Now, since I’m moving 100% to a freelance basis I want to bring diversity to my work. I’m creating objects from ceramics, based on my drawings. I was selected to be an Art Director in 2 short movies and we’re in the pre production phase and I’m also talking with potential clients about brand identities.
Q What’s your style?
I think my taste is in the authentic details. Regarding styles, for me each project is unique and different. As a Designer/Art Director I think diversity of your work makes you stronger. You should bring the best out of the product/project and show it in its unique way. There should always be a room for “why” in your head. Why are you doing things this way again? Change it, each project is a new start. I think every one of my projects represent that.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’ve been working as a Graphic Designer for 5 years as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve also worked as an Art Director for 1 and I would love to expand my set of skills there. I would love to work as an Art Director for more short movies. I would also love to create more objects, merches and etc. I think I’ll always have a job as a Graphic Designer but trying out new things is super interesting too.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I’m frustrated by the thought of being too much into everything. I have a lot of interests in and outside my field and basically every topic interests me. However I calm down when I realize everything I want to work on is mainly visual. Like I said in the beginning just the thought of being able to create a product of your imagination amazes me.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would make them walk my dogs in the morning cause it’s taking a lot of time. Otherwise I love what I do and I love every detail of it. I think hiring someone to do my job would make it harder for me cause I will have a sense that I’m losing touch with my work.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could’ve told myself that you have to reach the right target to be appreciated. I was creating something I thought was amazing and I felt it with all my heart but in the wrong crowd, in the presence of people who have different tastes it’s just not right. That gets you frustrated. Once my projects reached their targets and I saw people feeling the same way about it as I did. I just calmed down and knew that everything was just right.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Oh there are a lot of topics that I would definitely love to gain more insights on like managing your social media, working on glyphs, sketching in different mediums and with different tools etc.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I love to work on Brand Identities from the concept phase to the final countdown of uploading. Mainly small/medium sized businesses because they are always more open to everything. I love working on vinyl/cd covers, movie titles, I adore food related brand identity briefs!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is a person who trusts me based on the work I’ve shown him and done before. Someone who is not blindly trusting but is feeling the same way about my work as I do and that feeling gives them the ability to maintain a trusting and supportive relationship with me.
Q What is your rate?
My hourly rate is $50.00, however I prefer to have a project rate cause once I’m interested in something I never count hours. My project rate for a standard brand identity is $4,000.00, however if it’s easier or complicated with additional layers like packaging, print file preparation etc it’s changing.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
The DM on Instagram would feel just right, email is okay too.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I would recommend @bijanberahimi @gagane_ @pauladealvaro @nachoakanacho and many many more.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Collecting references, mixing and matching, playing around
This member profile was originally published in January 2023.