Design is often associated with solving problems, but behind every project there is also a personal perspective, curiosity, and creativity. For web designer Alina Shumitskaia, these elements have shaped a career that spans graphic design, digital products, and personal artistic exploration.
Alongside her work in web design, Alina’s artworks have been exhibited internationally, including in New York and on Times Square. We spoke with Alina about her journey in design, digital art, international exhibitions, sources of inspiration, and how she balances creativity with the creation of modern digital products.
Alina Shumitskaia: “My first thought was probably, “Is this really happening?”
How did you get started in design and digital art?
My journey began with graphic design. I was always drawn to the ability to communicate ideas through visual language, which gradually led me to explore design more deeply and work on commercial projects. Over time, my interests shifted toward web design, where it’s important not only how a project looks, but also how people interact with it.
Alongside my professional work, I pursued digital art as a form of creative self-expression. Over time, this led to participation in international exhibitions and became an important part of my creative journey.
Do you remember the first project you were truly proud of?
Yes, one of those projects came early in my career as a graphic designer. At the time, I was working on a variety of design tasks, but one project stood out in particular: creating an illustration for a T-shirt print.
Later, the T-shirt became part of the brand’s merchandise collection and went on sale. It was both unusual and inspiring to see people wearing something that featured my design. Looking back, that was probably the first time I realized that visual work can go beyond a screen and become part of people’s everyday lives.
Besides web design, you also create digital art. What attracts you to this field?
For me, digital art is an opportunity to create something purely for myself. In design, there is always a goal, an audience, business objectives, and certain constraints. With art, I have more freedom to experiment and simply follow an idea or a particular mood.
I think that freedom is what attracts me the most. It is a completely different creative process that helps me stay inspired, keep exploring visual expression, and continue trying new things.
How did digital art lead you to participate in international exhibitions?
It all started with sharing my work within an international community of digital artists. Over time, I became involved in various online and offline initiatives, connected with artists from different countries, and began submitting my work to exhibitions.
One of the most memorable experiences was participating in NFT.NYC 2024 in New York, where my artwork was featured as part of an exhibition. It was a special experience not only as an artist, but also as someone who was able to attend the event in person and see her work displayed alongside artists from around the world.
Later, one of my artworks was featured on Times Square. It was a completely different scale and a completely different feeling — seeing my art displayed on one of the world’s most iconic screens was incredibly exciting and rewarding.
One of the highlights of your creative journey was participating in NFT.NYC 2024 in New York. What do you remember most about the trip and the exhibition itself?
To be honest, before traveling to New York, I didn’t fully realize the scale of the event. When a piece of art exists only on a tablet screen, it feels very different. Once I arrived, I saw my work displayed in a real exhibition space and realized that people from different countries — people who had never heard of me before — would be seeing it.
What stayed with me most was the contrast between how digital art is usually created and how I experienced it in New York. Most of the time, an artist works alone — at home, behind a tablet. But there I found myself in a space where hundreds of people were discussing art, meeting one another, sharing ideas, and exploring each other’s work.
Your artwork was also featured on Times Square — one of the most recognizable screens in the world. What was that moment like for you?
My first thought was probably, “Is this really happening?”
Times Square is one of those places that many people have seen in photographs, movies, or on the news. So seeing my own work there felt quite surreal. The moment itself passed quickly, but it’s something I remember very clearly.
Have exhibitions and public recognition changed the way you view your own creative work?
In the moment, they are certainly exciting and inspiring. Exhibitions have given me confidence that my work can resonate with people from different countries and backgrounds. However, they haven’t fundamentally changed my relationship with creativity.
I still create art primarily because I enjoy the process itself. Recognition is always encouraging, but for me, the most important part remains the act of creating and exploring new ideas.
Today, your primary professional focus is web design. What do you enjoy most about this field?
What I enjoy most is that web design sits at the intersection of creativity and practical value. On one hand, you create visual experiences and work with composition, typography, and emotion. On the other, you help people find information, make decisions, and interact with a product.
I have always been interested in creating not just beautiful interfaces, but solutions that genuinely work for users.
How has your perspective on design changed since moving from graphic design to web projects?
Moving into web design taught me to look at design from a broader perspective. If previously I focused primarily on the visual side, now I pay much more attention to how people interact with a product and how easily they can achieve their goals.
At the same time, my background in graphic design still helps me create visually strong and expressive solutions.
What types of projects do you enjoy creating most?
I’m particularly interested in brand websites and landing pages, where it is possible to combine strong visual design with clear structure and a thoughtful user experience. I enjoy working on projects where the goal is not only to communicate information, but also to create a certain impression of a brand.
At the same time, I also enjoy e-commerce projects because they require a deeper focus on the user journey and make it possible to see how design can influence real business results.
Where do you usually find inspiration for new projects and artworks?
Inspiration rarely comes from a single source. Of course, I follow the work of other designers and artists, but I am equally inspired by travel, new places, architecture, exhibitions, and simply observing the world around me.
I believe the most interesting ideas often appear when you step outside your professional environment and look at familiar things from a different perspective.
What role does artificial intelligence play in your work as a designer today?
I see artificial intelligence as a tool that helps speed up certain parts of the creative process and explore ideas more efficiently. It can be useful for finding references, generating concepts, or assisting with specific tasks.
At the same time, I do not believe AI can replace design thinking, an understanding of users, or creative decision-making. For me, it is more of an assistant that allows me to spend more time on the aspects of design that truly require a human perspective.
For web design projects, design collaborations, or other professional inquiries, feel free to contact Alina Shumitskaia at shumitskayaas@gmail.com