Lviv, May 31st, 2023

Trying to keep a business open in the midst of an open war sounds virtually impossible, but Obys Agency has been able to make it work. With a team spread around Ukraine, the agency continues to work with clients from different countries, offering its services on creative design, app design, website development and graphic design and branding.

Olha Olianishyna is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Obys Agency, which she founded with her husband. In an interview with TIA, she described how her life has been altered by the war in the country. She also explained the main values behind the agency and how important it is to have a good chemistry between the agency and the client.

To kick things off, could you tell us what is the situation in your hometown?

Thank you for asking this question. Now I and my family (daughter and husband) are living in Lviv, Ukraine. It is an awesome city in the western part of my country. For more than one year it is rescuing us and giving us a feeling of home.

I was born and living all my life in Kharkiv. My parents and all my relatives are still living there and haven’t left since February 2022. The situation is stained and stressful: air raids sound constantly due to the threat of shelling and so often the city is bombed. I do not know if you are interested in hearing that. But this is a new reality for every Ukrainian. But Kharkiv lives and remains one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities on the planet. I admire all the people who continue their lives in the city and support it to stay as amazing as it was before. Just Google it and you will see that.

For those who aren’t familiar with your career, can you provide an overview?

I graduated from the Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics. I have a Master’s Diploma with an honor. During my studying, I was in love with my field of education and believed that one day I would become a Human Resources Director. My first job was close to my goal – I was a Junior Recruiter at the huge International Brewery Company. In parallel, at this time, my husband (Viacheslav Olianishyn, Art Director and Co-founder) began to start his own agency. And one day he said: “I need your brain, help, and vision of beauty. Let’s work together. I have the first client”. Since that day, we have not been separated for a minute and Obys agency has started its big journey.

Now I am an entrepreneur and responsible for managing part of Obys’ life. I find my expertise in economics and team management to be highly valuable in my work.

What was the toughest challenge you faced when founding and growing a business?

First of all, my fear of starting my own business took place. Fear that you need to be responsible for everything yourself – from finding clients to working as a team. For days on end, I was engaged in cold sales and sent dozens of letters to potential and not-so-clients, people whom I wanted to see as clients of Obys. And of course, I communicated with those for whom we have already designed cool things.
It was a time of watching educational videos on Youtube, reading motivational books, and falling in love with web design deeper and deeper. Now I am realizing that it is a normal entrepreneur’s road. But five years ago I was crazy about all the things that must be done in the perfect way.

After more than a year at war, how has the conflict affected the work of the agency? Are you in contact with all the creative community?

If not to take mental/emotional/physical effects on the whole team, the biggest change we have is remote work. For three and a half years we were working side by side. We only stopped office work for two or three months during the Coronavirus pandemic. Then we realized that working together eye to eye was Obys team’s strength. Typography Principles, Grids, The Message to Ukraine, and Porsche Taycan are the brightest examples of our collective work and discussions the days long during work, tea breaks, and walking from the office to the subway.

But from March 2022 we are working from home from different parts of Ukraine. I am surprised that we mastered this skill and turned it from a weakness into an advantage. We are always in touch via Slack and Telegram. By the way, Slack huddle is an amazing tool to hop into a small talk or long conversation about the project in progress.

As for the creative community, sure, we are in contact with Ukrainian and foreign agencies, companies, and studios. When we were leaving Kharkiv on the sixth day of the war, the founder of the famous Ukrainian digital agency proposed his family flat in the western located city to stay because there was practically no housing in safe regions. I am still so thankful!

And we got so much support from creatives all around the world in the first months. Some of them even proposed to handle our projects for free not to keep the clients waiting. It’s priceless!

Can you describe the key values or principles that guide Obys’ approach to client partnerships and creative work?

One thing I am definitely proud of is Obys’ ability to choose the client. Of course, it wasn’t always like that. Now we have the fields of business with which we will not work – politics, alcohol and drugs (anything that can harm a person), gambling-driven business, weapons, etc. We strictly filter incoming requests. We need to feel the chemistry between us and the client. If our values, approaches to work and vision of beauty coincide, then we will sign an agreement. We need to have a win-win collaboration. It is crucial to highlight that clients must trust us and actively participate in the process. That’s the way some of our clients became our friends.

What is your communication style with the teams you manage?

We prioritize friendly communication and trust amongst ourselves, without having a strict hierarchy. Each of us understands our individual responsibilities and takes accountability for our work. We don’t promote working overtime and prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, we maintain a professional demeanor and never make things personal. That’s all.

How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects simultaneously, and what strategies do you use to stay organized?

I am a mother of a three-year-old girl and I run my own agency. Thus, I need to effectively manage my time for both responsibilities. I couldn’t agree more! My go-to tools for staying organized and on top of things are definitely my Google calendar that’s synced up with my iPhone, and my trusty Trello board. They’re like my best friends when it comes to keeping me on track and making sure I never miss a beat. There all the tasks are prioritized and I move in turn on assignments. What strategies? It is interesting. None, I think. I always strive to meet my own expectations as well as those of the people around me.

Tell us about a recent project you’ve worked on that you’re proud of. Which was the greatest challenge?

Laxer website is my winner at this moment for sure. I am working in a team of boys. So a pink color is not often a guest in our projects. But here you can see a wonderful combination of Obys’ visual touch, smooth scrolling, and pink color. I do not think that is professional to estimate a client. But I need to repeat what our client said after the site was live to make you understand the process of work on this project: “It takes two to tango”.

When it comes to accessibility, how do you ensure that your clients are on board and that all users’ needs are taken into account during the project?

Our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy our experiences, regardless of their circumstances. We design based on our beliefs and then make adjustments to ensure that the content appeals to all audiences. Ultimately, our focus is on eliciting emotions from our viewers and providing them with a meaningful experience.

What kind of new tech stuff has blown your mind?

I will not seem original here, but this is definitely ChatGPT and the new opportunities that AI creates.

Do you think someone can get into the field without educational experience in a school environment?

While there are professionals who work without formal education or diplomas, I believe in the value of classical education. It provides us with essential skills such as the ability to learn independently and find necessary information. A designer should possess not only technical expertise but also a well-rounded perspective.

The best insight I can give to young creatives is making design or any other creative work in case you are really in love with it. Creative occupations take much personal time and involvement. Answer yourself: am I ready to be a creative designer/developer/photographer/illustrator 24/7? If so, do not be shy or afraid to meet new people and new challenges. In the era of social media globalization, you can join any team you admire or ask for advice.

In general, what role do you think designers have to play in building more-accessible societies?

I think this question is a bit similar to the one of previous I have. To sum up this topic, the designer must not forget that he is a person. His ideas and realization must meet not only personal goals but also all audiences he is surrounded by.

How can our global interactive community help the people of Ukraine during this crisis?

Just wanted to share some great news about the Ukrainian creative community. Despite the challenges of the past year, we’ve managed to maintain the same level of quality in our work. In fact, if you take a look at the list of The Webby Awards or Awwwards Winners, you’ll see many Ukrainian names. As someone from Ukraine, I’m incredibly proud of this fact! If you’re looking for a partner or collaborator, please don’t hesitate to consider working with Ukrainian teams. In the same way, you will support the Ukrainian economy and show your wish to stay with us.

Three top tools you can’t live without?

Slack/Telegram, Google Calendar, and Nova Poshta App.

What’s the next skill (tech or non-tech related) you plan on learning?

I have just bought a course about finance not for financiers. I want to improve this skill and have a chance to look at managing finance during not easy economic times.

Can you name a fun-fact people would be surprised to learn about you?

I love watching my favorite series and films on repeat, but finding and choosing new ones can be a challenge. As a result, I often quote my favorite characters in everyday situations, even if it’s not entirely appropriate.

Thanks Olha!

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