Fireart Studio

Shortly, wearing many hats to support our cross-functional teams.

1. Supporting and managing the design unit:

- Strategy and Design Consultation team.
The team helps clients strategize the product execution to ensure we build the right GTM product. Bringing high impact to customer acquisition and activation teams.

-  Branding team.
Building great brands for our clients. Brand Research, Brand Strategy, and Identity Design. We have worked with such clients as Crunchbase, Replicant, Nighty Eight VC, and many more...

-  Product Design team.
Our bread and butter. The team successfully delivers UX and UI designs for clients like Google, Rolls Royce, Flosports, Revionic, and many more startups, including YC and Tech Stars alumnies.

2. Supporting Customer Success and Sales teams.

- Presales, pitch decks.
- Execution strategy.
- Customer Success.

3. Working closely with the marketing team.

- Fireart marketing strategy.
- Budget allocation.
- Collaboration with CMO and Head of Marketing.

4. Part of a management board

- Company strategy.
- Company culture.
- Company growth.
- Work closely with the CEO on decision-making.

5. Supporting the HR team.
- Work closely with a Head of People.
- We are doing our best to ensure our employees are happy working at Fireart.
- "Great place to work" certified, 4.8 at Glassdoor.
- High retention rate.

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Partner

1. Have grown a product design team of 8 to 35 people.
2. Together, within a team, we defined our culture and values. 
3. Established the company's design process.
4. Integrated such additional services as workshops, design audits, branding, and brand strategy.
5. As a part of the managing board, I contributed to the revenue growth. (1.2x-1.7x each year).
6. Increase the success rate of the projects. (there is only 1% of projects that hadn’t been delivered)
7. Took part in building the PM department. (from 1 to 5 team members)
8. I was the hiring manager for the design, project management, and branding departments.
9. I don't afraid to roll-up my sleeves. It was never a problem to take Figma and support my folks with a design or take care of the project management side of the project.

Head Of Design, Partner

- Project facilitation
- Art Direction
- Usability consultant
- Running in-house EDU-workshops
- Established design processes
- Author of in-house design guidelines

Lead Designer

Senior Product Designer

Creabl

Co-Founder, CPO

Projector Institute

Lecturer/Mentor

CSSDA

Judge

Freelance

UI/UX Designer | Art Director

Big Drop Inc

- Mentoring less experienced product designers.
- Responsible for designing web solutions for finance, insurance, law firms in New York which are successfully launched.
- Maintaining a positive relationship with customers and project stakeholders

Senior UI/UX Designer

Zajno

Specialized in Interface and Experience Design.
- Lead design projects. 
- Autonomous. I took full ownership of my work, and took responsibility for every last detail, every step of the way. 
- Rapidly produced concepts and prototypes.

Product Designer

I am currently in charge of overseeing company growth and nurturing a healthy culture at Fireart Studio. I started my journey here with a team of 15, and we have now grown to a team of 100 incredible creatives.

Fireart Studio is your strategy, design, and development partner. Recognized as one of the top agencies by Clutch, Dribbble, and DesignRush. We have worked with Rolls Royce, Google, Atlassian, Swisscom, FreeNow, Bolt, and many more...

Apart from Fireart, I have a deep passion for startups, design, product management, and early-stage company building.

Co-Founded Creabl. All-in-one customer engagement solution for SMBs.

Co-host of the Product Leaders Podcast. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Design is in a state of decline: 

- The number of freelance design jobs posted on Upwork decreased by 15% 
- Design jobs posted on LinkedIn decreased by 10% in 2023 
- Average salary on Glassdoor declined by 5% in 2023

My career in design started in 2014. 

Things were less complicated back then. 
Creatives were encouraged to pursue career paths in animation, web design, graphic design you name it. 

We idolised designers like Paul Rand and Paula Scher. 

We were building portfolios in schools
And digital portfolios? 
Forget about it. 

Our portfolios would be printed in a messenger bag. 

Then you’d take your portfolio to a job interview, show them your stuff, and you’d get hired or go on to the next interview.

But just like the world, everything we know is changing fast.  
According to the World Economic Forum, the design industry is expected to lose 1.7 million jobs by 2025. 

Just take a look at LinkedIn with all the recent postings of designers losing their jobs and you know this is the truth. 

Now it could be due to many reasons: 

- Outsourcing 
- Software and AI  
- Touch economic climate 

So one thing I know that is more important than ever? 

You need to adapt to the changing environment to survive. 

And to do this you need to challenge your biases: 

1. "Business is not for me".
This is no longer a choice. Learn about solving business problems, conversion, buyer behaviour, and marketing. Dive deep into your respective domains. 

2. "Social media sucks".
It doesn’t. Share your thoughts and experiences from day 1. You'll attract peers, clients, and new opportunities.
3. "I need to get better at what I do".
Don’t stop in the pursuit of knowledge. Think of entrepreneurship, automation, outsourcing, and prompt engineering.
4. "AI is just a trend".
Trust me it's not. It’s evolving faster than you realise. Stop treating it like your enemy, learn to use the tools around you. 

Although my title may say CSO. 

In my heart, I will also be a designer. 

And I care about my industry, I care about other designers. 

To survive, we need to adapt to a changing market landscape. 

Tolik Nguyen

Chief Strategy Officer at Fireart | Helping tech brands build, launch, and grow faster through design and development expertise on demand.

At 16 I was just a child with a dollar and a dream. 

At 25 I am the CSO of a multi-million dollar agency. 


I love solving design problems. I love developing solutions that help others. I'm passionate about building products.

At the age of 16  my dream has always been working as a designer at a big company. 

But getting hired seemed impossible for me.

Back then agencies in the Ukraine mostly outsourced work. 

So it was difficult to get a stable job. 

Instead, my next best bet was freelancing. 

I started learning HTML and coding. Using these skills I built my first website. 
I got my first gig after a few months of learning. It was an e-commerce website that sold PVC pipes.

With this work experience under my belt, I was finally trying to build some momentum.

And I managed to land a job with a big agency. 

A friend of mine worked for Fireart Studio, a big agency with premium clients.

He told me they were looking for a designer.

But he told me that Fireart was based in Poland

Poland? 

What's Poland like? I don’t know anybody there. 

Plus I’m in college right now. 

This is a big risk. 

But one thing that I have learned in life is that fortune favours the brave. 

Let’s do it. 

I packed my bags, Fireart confirmed they could offer me a visa sponsorship and I moved to Poland. 


This was my big break. 

Something I had dreamed of from the age of 16. 

I couldn't believe it. And I didn’t hesitate for a second.

I dropped out of college. Packed my bags. I just left.

At Fireart I put everything on the line. 

I worked as hard as I ever had.

 I solved bigger problems. 

I grew as a designer.

1 year in, I got promoted to Lead Designer. 

I shaped that role into what it is today.

I started helping the Sales team to improve the pitch and created client-centric services.

This led to 30% YoY growth and increased client retention.

70% of our clients are long-term partners or returning clients.

I absorbed information like a sponge.

 I took on everything. 

It was tough. 

But I was having fun.

I felt it was the right time.

"I want to apply for the role of Chief Strategy Officer".

Sure I was nervous. 

But I dropped out of college and moved to Poland to follow my dream. 

So I was more confident than I should have been. 

Within 1 week I got their response.

"We’ve decided to promote you. And we want to offer you partnership".

I was stunned. 

I was just a 16-year-old boy with a dream. 

I couldn’t even believe it. 

I had put everything in this. 

It took raw resilience.

It took a bit of luck.

But it was a hell of a lot of fun.

Morale of the story 

Keep chasing your childhood dream.

It’s worth it.

People think ping-pong tables mean a great work culture. 

Wrong. 

A strong culture costs nothing. 

It's the simple things. 

Here are the top qualities of a strong culture: 

- It’s always improving 
- Giving your employees flexibility 
- Being open to providing feedback 
- Caring about your team's mental health 
- Starts at the top: leadership sets the tone 
- Trusting and treating your employees like adults 
- A good culture is instilled over time not overnight
- A strong culture means higher-performing employees
- Culture is not static, it will evolve as the company grows 
- Helping your team members develop and enhance their skills 

A strong company culture is simple. 

It means you care.

It’s treating your employees like people. 

And the best thing? 

It costs nothing. 

Thank you to my team who have helped Fireart Studio be the company it is today. 

Businesses are dying right now. 

And so is the design industry. 

It breaks my heart to see experienced professionals jobless for months, desperately seeking an opportunity in the comments section of LinkedIn posts.

Whose fault is that?

No one's.

The market is changing.

In 2024, it’s not enough to be just a designer. 

My advice?

Designers need to be more business-oriented.

They need to offer more value. 

And that means: 

- Being a consultant 
- Knowing your domain in and out 
- Adopting a business-oriented mindset 

Offering extra value. 

Designers can survive this challenging market landscape. 

All we have to do is offer extra value. 

Work, sleep, repeat.

That was my life for a long time. 



Nothing else mattered. 

My work/life balance was broken.

Now, I’ve reached a point where I can finally take a breath. 

I’ve built teams that thrive independently. 

Meaning I have more time for myself and my family. 

But I still needed an outlet.

That's why I turned to sports. 

Running became my new passion.

I’ve run half marathons and full marathons.

Obstacle courses challenge me and push my limits. 

They also free my mind.

They give me a chance to turn off that part of my mind that worries about everything. 

It’s: 

- Made me more productive at work 
- Given me a fresher perspective at work 

It’s surprising, but true.

Sports may seem basic, but for me, it’s a vital hobby.

It’s my outlet. 

What's your outlet?

Retention. Retention. Retention. 


If you want to survive in this ever-changing world you need to focus on: 

- Client retention 
- Delivering quality work

It may sound obvious. 

But you would be surprised by how many businesses aren’t doing this. 

Retention is vital for survival in any industry. And this is especially true in tough times. 

Client satisfaction = client retention. 

It’s a simple formula that everyone needs to learn. 

At the end of the day, it's 10 times cheaper to keep a client than to find a new one.

A happy client means no time/ capital spent on winning new clients. 

Yes, it’s simple, but why do so many people forget about it?

A good app solves problems.

Users should feel that the app improves their lives.

That's what sets apart the good from the great. 

Here's a great example. 

Fireart Studio created Hot-Desk.

A booking app for flexible work setups.

The main goal was to help people transition from fixed to flexible office schedules.

The platform tackles these 3 challenges:

- Eases the transition to flexible hot-desking
- Enables easy booking of desks and meeting rooms
- Manages unique office layouts and parking constraints

But even before starting, we faced a problem ⤵ 

It turned out that 80% of users avoid such web solutions because they're too complex. 

People don't want to sign up for another new app just to book a desk.

We took on the challenge.

We carefully planned our strategy to bring our client's idea to life:

Step 1: Checked competitors
Step 2: Mapped everything out on Miro
Step 3: Created user flow maps for Admins and Employees
Step 4: Organized the project and made prototypes
Step 5: Designed the style guide and UI
Step 6: Handed it over for development

No registration is needed. You can easily book a desk in Slack with a few clicks.

We developed the Hot Desk design in just a few months.

It's intuitive, user-friendly, and meets a real need.

Great apps don't just exist. 
They solve problems, serve users, and satisfy needs.

That's exactly what our Hot Desk does.

2 parts of the sustainable product business: 

- Product life cycle
- Product development

But they are very different. 

Product Development Cycle:

- Focuses on creating and refining the product
- Stages: planning, development, evaluation, and iteration
- Ensures the product meets customer needs and is competitive

Product Life Cycle:

- Stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline
- Guides marketing, pricing, and product improvements
- Tracks product performance and market share over time

Simply put: 

=> The product development cycle refines the product
=> The product life cycle offers a broader view of its market journey

But when combined? 

They are the perfect match. 

Together, they help companies launch and sustain successful products (crucial for long-term market success).

Product development involves 5 connected stages in its life cycle.

Understanding these stages is crucial for effective product life cycle management:

Stage 1: Initial concept and planning
Stage 2: Development and introduction
Stage 3: Growth and maturity
Stage 4: Evaluation, assessment, and iteration
Stage 5: Decline and innovation

Product development + market life cycles = effective product management.

This approach helps teams not only build apps but also make smart decisions.

Build smarter.

In 6 months, we built an app for the client that finds the perfect gift in 60 seconds.

(Here is how we did it)

Social media keeps us informed about birthdays, engagements, and graduations.

But it can be too late to find the perfect gift at the last minute.

Not anymore.

Bo approached Fireart Studio to create an app for streamlining gift searches.

We decided to implement 3 key features: 

- Automated reminders tailored to preferences
- Easy one-click quick shipping and digital gift-giving
- Simple text-based questionnaire for seamless information gathering

Product development included 4 main stages:

Stage 1: Discovery
Stage 2: Definition
Stage 3: Development
Stage 4: Delivery

After 6 months we submitted the app. 

It's secure, user-friendly, and feature-rich.

With Bo app, users can:

- Select gift
- Select recipient & date 
- Pay your gift without leaving the house
- Make your loved ones and friends happy.

Happy users.

Happy client.

Happy team.

I know why companies fail.

They chase the bottom line instead of trying to solve problems. 

Chasing the bottom line leads to short-term gains and long-term failure.

When you solve real problems, money follows. 

It’s a natural consequence of adding value.

You should be focusing on: 

- Fixing problems
- Building real relationships
- Knowing what the client wants
- Being flexible and giving a great experience

Everything else will follow.

Be like a consultant. 

Focus on providing a user-centric approach. 

We even suggest solutions that clients can implement themselves.

And the results are great.

Our worth is measured by the problems we solve. 

Focus on helping the client and the rest will fall into place. 

Our client chose us again for a design project.

(spoiler: we nailed it, and it's loved by 50,000 users.)

Here is the story:

A few years ago, we assisted our client in creating an app for laundry and cleaning services.

We delivered the app and completed the project.

Two years later, they merged and rebranded as ByNext, a full-service housekeeping app.

And what do you think? They approached us again to update their design.

Our design journey looked at different ideas, all to capture ByNext’s essence:

Idea 1: Mixing sans serif and serif fonts for simplicity and elegance 
Idea 2: A design that represents the community.

The ultimate logo? A symbol of easy service.

What’s the outcome? A brand image loved by 50,000 users.

30,000 homes cleaned. 15 million orders were fulfilled.

This says a lot. 

A key lesson here? 

Focus on retention.

Repeat business often stems from happy clients spreading the word.

That’s our goal at Fireart Studio: exceptional service, every time.

Here is a simple formula everyone needs to learn: 

Poor project management > causes product failure

Effective project management > turns product value into revenue 

Simple as that.

Project management is crucial for every product. 

It connects what customers want with what the company can give.

It’s a science. 

Here are 2 key principles in product management:

1. Maximize mission impact

Match product strategy with the organization's mission for maximum impact

2. Get it done through others

Product managers empower others to build products while improving processes. 

The product team structure is crucial for bringing ideas to life. 

A common team structure involves: 

- Product managers
- Designers
- Engineers

(In this order and no other way)

This structure achieves the right balance required to deliver a successful product.

I believe that effective product management is the bridge to success.

And at Fireart Studio we build it strong.

If you want to learn more click the link below.

Designers are being laid off across the globe. 


Stability is rare in this industry. 

But it's a great chance for us to get better. 

My advice? 

Be more business-orientated. 

Add more value. 

Designers need to blend business and design into one. 

Two skills are better than one, right?

Being business-oriented doesn't mean designers should neglect their design skills. 

It's about understanding user needs AND how design can contribute to achieving business goals. 

The best designer is like a chameleon, adapting to any situation.

Agree?

Apps fail because they are not user-friendly.

It’s a common pitfall: developers often focus on features over functionality.

Remember: 

- Simplicity always wins 

One example is a recent client we worked with called Sweet Analytics. 

Sweet Analytics is an all-in-one platform for managing customer data and marketing.

They reached out to us to make the platform more user-friendly and visually appealing.

So we focused on a clear and simple approach to showcase the platform's strengths. 

We did this by focusing on: 

- Animation: Interactive animations on the main page to grab user attention 
- Data Visualization: Visually appealing approach to displaying various data points 
- Navigation: Easy to use and attractive interface allowing users to glide through app features 
- Brand Elements: Bright gradients and a clean font give Sweet a unique, branded "sweet" feel

After refining our ideas, we created over 40 unique illustrations, each highlighting a feature of Sweet Analytics.

We've updated Sweet Analytics with a user-friendly design, clear graphics, and an engaging main screen that stays true to its brand.

Remember, the best apps feel intuitive from the first tap.

They don’t require a manual.

They don’t make users think. 

They just work.

Don’t be a one trick pony. 

Business savvy + design skills = irreplaceable. 

Designers need to focus on business. 

They need to do this to survive in a tough market.

More skills = greater longevity. 

I can see firsthand how tough it is for designers right now. 

I see them getting laid off left and right. 

And it saddens me. 

So many talented individuals are out of work. 

But that's why they need to evolve. 

Focusing on users isn't enough.

Clients and management want tangible results like revenue and customer growth.

And a business-savvy approach bridges this gap.

It's about showing how design decisions impact the bottom line.

Design should speak the language of business.

We need to increase our intrinsic value. 

We must evolve to survive.

Change is constant. 

But not always for the better. 

Right now the market landscape is changing: 

- Experienced professionals are seeking employment in LinkedIn comments 
- Companies are undervaluing designers 
- Designers are losing their jobs 

What worked before doesn’t work now. 

The only thing we can do?  

- Focus on retention 
- Deliver high-quality work 

Prioritizing retention is key for long-term survival in any industry.

And right now is a great example of why it's so important. 

I'm glad we prioritize our clients' happiness and success.

Even when budgets are tight, they come back for more.  

This teaches us an important lesson: no matter your business, taking care of your customers is crucial for long-term success.

Keeping up with the body is a tough ordeal. 

That's why the digital revolution has championed medical technology advances. 

However, developing medical tech is not easy. 

One thing you need to remember? 

You need to have a clear understanding of what you are doing. 

Here’s how to nail it: 

Step 1: Conduct market research 
Step 2: Study your audience 
Step 3: Choose app type and monetizing model
Step 4: Create the design 
Step 5: Ensure HIPAA compliance
Step 6: Build an MVP
Step 7: Testing 
Step 8: Maintain and support

The app should focus on one main goal. 

It's essential to define the app type clearly.

There are 7 top popular types of medical apps:

- Fitness apps
- Meditation apps
- Lifestyle tracking apps
- Health counselling apps
- Apps for test result management
- Medical apps to track diet and nutrition

Clear goals are crucial. 

Without them, it's like sailing without a map.

Every feature, every line of code, must have a purpose. 

This industry has strict regulations. The app must meet healthcare standards. 

But at the end of the day, it’s rewarding to see your creation in action. 

Retention is the foundation of growth. 

Especially in a tough economic climate. 


Quality work and satisfied clients are the name of the game. 

The market in 2024 is tough. 

Lots of companies are just trying to hang in there, hoping for things to get better. 

They're out there searching for new clients, thinking it might give them a boost. 

But the best thing they can do? 

Focus on retention. 

The truth is, that clients are very cautious. 

Converting a prospect will take a lot of time and money. 

Instead, focus on the clients who already trust you.

The clients that understand the quality of work you can deliver. 

It's not rocket science, but surprisingly, many businesses overlook it: 

Loyal customers are your best advocates. 

They’re your brand ambassadors. 

Retention. 

That should be the focus for 2024. 

Adapt or die. 

Don’t box yourself in. 

Mastering multiple disciplines sets you apart in a crowded field.

This means: 

- Adding more tools to your belt
- Adapting to the environment around you 

One way you can do this? 

Combining design skills with business.

Designers need to understand business too. 

This helps them thrive in a tough world.

That's the way to survive. 

The best trick in the book: speak the language of your clients.  

Try to understand: 

- Their goals
- Their Business
- The Challenges they face 

It’s essential.

Your design is a solution to a problem they have. You’re a problem solver.

But it shouldn’t be limited to design. 

Help them solve business problems as well. 

Your portfolio is good. But can you communicate its business value?

- It’s not about just design problems think about ROI
- It’s not just about creativity, It’s about commercial viability
- It’s not about the colours or fonts, It’s about the conversion rates

Sell your skills by highlighting how they solve specific business problems.

Be a strategic partner.

That’s how you win in this competitive field.


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