We were lucky to catch up with Vitali Zahharov recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vitali, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

To answer that, I need to start at the beginning. I’m originally from a small country in Northern Europe—Estonia. Today, I live in Los Angeles, a massive leap for someone who might have once been considered just an ordinary guy. Making that jump wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I managed to carve my path and relocate with my wife, starting fresh to build a better life. Now, I work as a Creative Director, helping startups craft their design language and elevate their customer experience. Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else. If the internet vanished tomorrow, I’d be completely lost because this is the one thing I know how to do and love doing.

But of course, there’s always a “but.” My parents played a significant role in setting me on this journey. After finishing school, I faced a crucial decision: which college to attend. My options were limited, partly because I wasn’t exactly a top student. I also didn’t speak English at the time, which meant studying in other parts of Europe—like Denmark, the UK, or Germany—wasn’t an option for me. Many of my friends left Estonia to study abroad, but I stayed behind, narrowing my choices to three potential fields: ecology (yes, I once dreamed of saving animals and making the planet better—naïve, maybe?), business management, or design.

My parents begged me to choose design, even though I was leaning toward ecology. At the time, I imagined myself as an eco-activist, and part of me still admires that idealism. But, thankfully, I listened to them. They had the foresight to tell me that the IT world was the future—something I didn’t fully grasp then, especially since I wasn’t exactly tech-savvy at the time.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for their advice. Choosing design shaped my life in ways I couldn’t have predicted. It gave me the tools to build a career I’m proud of and the opportunity to take risks, like moving to Los Angeles and starting fresh. Without their guidance, I might have been chasing a different, less fulfilling path. They didn’t just steer me toward a career; they set me up for a life that feels meaningful, creative, and aligned with who I am.

Vitali, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Aa I mentioned before, I’m originally from a small city in Estonia, a country tucked away in Northern Europe. My hometown has a population of just over 400,000 people—a far cry from the sprawling urban landscape of Los Angeles, where I now live. Growing up, I lived in a modest neighborhood, and as 50 Cent once said, “I came from the poorest part.” My parents, however, worked tirelessly to ensure I had the foundation to build a future. For that, I am forever grateful.

My journey into design began during my first year of college. I wasn’t an exceptional student there, but I found myself captivated by the world of graphics and design. My first big leap was when a classmate and I collaborated to redesign our college website (which never been release to be honest). I took charge of the creative direction, while he handled communication, that wan’t my best part at that moment. Those were baby steps, but they marked the start of my path.

I started small—I worked as designer in local design agencies where I was creating banners and simple landing pages. While that not glamorous, these projects gave me valuable insights into the industry and helped understand how this all works. Gradually, I started expand myself to other markets such as European, Asian, and eventually U.S. Learning English became a priority, as did keeping up with the latest design trends. By 2015, I was working remotely—ahead of the curve—which allowed me to travel extensively with my wife while building my career.

One of the most defining chapters of my journey was accepting an offer to work for a design agency in Singapore. It was a monumental challenge for both me and my wife: adapting to a new culture, breaking language barriers, and starting from scratch in a completely unfamiliar environment. Despite the hurdles, the experience was incredibly rewarding. When we returned home, it became clear that we were ready for an even bigger leap.

The United States was the obvious choice—a land of opportunities, with its perfect mix of innovation, diversity, and sunny weather (We are talking about California, of course). Moving here wasn’t easy; obtaining a work visa and packing our lives into four suitcases was no small feat. But now, three years later, we’re living in California, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that decision.

In my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible startups and established brands alike. From fashion to finance to delivery services, I’ve helped businesses lay the groundwork for their visual identities. Whether it’s art direction, animation, branding, or user experience design, my goal is always the same: to deliver creative solutions that help my clients stand out and succeed.

Some of my proudest moments include working with renowned companies like Samsung, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), and Thrive Market. I’ve also collaborated with numerous startups, helping them develop design systems and set the foundation for their growth. What sets me apart is my hands-on approach: I don’t just design; I partner with my clients to understand their vision and translate it into something extraordinary.

Through it all, I’ve stayed true to my roots—grateful for where I came from and excited about where I’m going. My journey is far from over, and I’m always looking forward to the next challenge.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

If someone asks me how to get new clients, my answer is simple: invest in yourself. Put in the work, get better at what you do, and show it to the world. Be active on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Dribbble, and Behance. These aren’t just places to share your work—they’re places where clients can find you.

Don’t overlook freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork either. You can find great opportunities there, especially when you’re starting out. Start small, take on projects you know you can handle well, and don’t rush. Focus on doing your best work every time.

Happy clients are your best marketing. When you do an amazing job, they’ll recommend you to others. That’s how you turn one client into two, then four, and so on. Word of mouth is huge, especially in the U.S., where a strong reputation can take you far.

It’s all about being consistent, showing up, and making sure every project you do leaves your client impressed. That’s how I’ve found my best clients—and it works.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, it’s seeing a happy client—that’s the most valuable reward you can get. When someone genuinely loves what you’ve created for them, it’s a feeling that’s hard to beat. Recognition and awards are amazing, of course, but they come naturally when your work is great and speaks to people.

What makes this profession so unique is that you can’t fake it—either your work resonates with people, or it doesn’t. It’s raw, honest, and direct. That’s what I love about it.

At home, I have a special wall dedicated to my accolades and awards. It’s a personal reminder of the journey and the milestones along the way. One day, I hope to expand it into an entire room, filled with achievements that reflect not just my work but also the happiness and impact I’ve created for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vitali.work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitali.work
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahharov

Image Credits

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