Katerina Korolevtseva is a graphic designer and art director who lives and works in Kyiv, Ukraine. As the Russian invasion escalates, Katerina discusses her experience, what we can do to show our support and explains how Ukrainian designers are using their skills to show the world the reality of what is happening.
Where are you based in Ukraine and what is the current situation like for you?
I’m in Kyiv. The situation in the districts of the city is very different. Even the word “terrible” does not describe it. We all hear explosions and alarm sirens several times a day. Some of us are hiding in the subway, some are at home and have to constantly run to the shelter. I spend my nights in the basement with the neighbors and my cat. And this is not to mention the stress caused by the information war… I feel lonely, but I try to communicate with people online and to do my best in this situation.
What do you believe is the best way for us to show support for the Ukrainian people?
Actions are better than words. Everyone can print a poster and protest on the streets. Everyone can shelter a family of refugees from Ukraine—as did, for example, Eike König. Everyone can make at least a small donation to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
But some words are also powerful. Everyone can spread truthful information and fight against fake news and Russian propaganda. This is not a time for temperate statements. We must be as harsh as possible when choosing words in relation to the Russian invaders. They have killed hundreds of civilians. They kill our kids!
We won’t give up. We defend not only ourselves but also Europe. We defend humanity and freedom. And we will win. But we need support.
“Everyone can spread truthful information and fight against fake news and Russian propaganda.”
Can you recommend the best places we can go to donate or show our support?
There are a few trustworthy ways to donate. I’m sure that all of my friends have donated to @savelife.in.ua savelife.in.ua/en/donate
And here you can find a full guide on how to donate in English: standwithukraine.super.site/how-to-support-ukraine-eng
What are designers and creatives in Ukraine doing to raise awareness of the reality of the situation in the country?
Sometimes we call ourselves the Creative Army of Ukraine. There are several volunteer chats where we receive inquiries from people and various organisations. We have created a lot of posters and artwork for social networks. We are waging an information war against Russian propaganda. But we are all human. Those of us who have an opportunity prepare and distribute food, donate medicine, donate blood, and try in many other ways to help the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian people our neighbors, friends, and acquaintances. We are very united. This is also what sets us apart from Russia.
Call to action posters created using Katerina’s own fonts – left: ‘Three Steps’ and right: ‘Thank you, Armed Forces of Ukraine’.
Can you tell us about your poster series and work you’ve created in response to the war?
One of my posters is a call to action. Ukraine desperately needs these three steps. The second poster expresses my gratitude to the courageous Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thanks to them, I wake up every morning… And this is a real gift. I hope to continue the series, but for now, I’m trying to spread information across the international creative community. On each of the posters, I used my own font, which has not been released yet. I have an idea to finish it in one style and release a free version in capital letters. It was supposed to be called Gart Mono, but now I’m thinking of calling it Pidval, which means ‘basement’ in Ukrainian.
Left: Artwork cover of a anti-war song ‘Good News’ written by Andriy Savdeyev. Right: Lettering sketch of Kyiv from 2020. Created by Katerina Korolevtseva.
Are there any Ukrainian designers or illustrators that you recommend we follow and show support for?
I recommend that you take a look at posters created by Ukrainian designers collected by the team from the Projector Creative & Tech Online Institute. These posters can and should be shared and distributed. You can use, print and share them for free:
All together: standwithukraine.super.site
In English: standwithukraine.super.site
I’m fond of posters of Yurko Gutsulyak @yurkogutsulyak and Mykola Kovalenko @mykolakovalenkostudio, lettering by sisters Vika and Vita Lopukhiny @vikatavita, illustrations by Mari Kinovych @marikinoo and Oleksandr Grekhov @unicornandwine.
There are a lot of great type designers in Ukraine, and we appreciate the use of Ukrainian fonts. You can find them here: rentafont.com.
Katerina’s font Misto is also available for free download here.
A love letter to her hometown of Slavutych, the youngest city in Ukraine, which was created after the Chornobyl explosion: “I wanted people all over the world to know about this small town and I wanted Ukrainians to visit it because Slavutych has great cultural potential and unique architecture.”
“Now I see Misto in designs to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom and that of Europe. Ukraine, where we hear many explosions from the Russian invaders every day. It gives me a strange feeling to see my font in the context of these explosions. But it’s a warm one too, because I see that design has no borders.” Katerina Korolevtseva, Design Week (March 2022)