Kateryna Kazachkova: Design Is Making Complicated Things Simple
/ Head of Design Department at AMTOSS
by Elizabeth Lavis | 19 May 2026
“Winning showed me that creative, personal projects can have a real impact”
Kateryna Kazachkova’s personal philosophy is that design isn’t about making things pretty; it’s about making complicated things feel simple. “Design helps people feel like they’re in control again,” Kazachkova says. “Whether I’m designing a compliance system, teaching teachers, or cycling 100 miles to clear my head, I come back to the same principle: be honest. Be useful, and don’t be afraid to add a little weirdness.”
Kazachkova leads the Design Department at AMTOSS, where she works primarily in logistics, compliance, and infrastructure, making beautifully designed unsexy domains. She’s originally from the small town of Kypiansk, Ukraine, and was always creating something, even at a young age. “I entered design contests, drew, and even made calendars in PowerPoint that were printed and distributed in the town, 100 copies at a time,” Kazachkova says. “That’s where my design journey truly began.”
Initially, she wanted to be an artist but decided to study computer modeling as a more practical career path. “I even got a PhD and hold a Ukrainian patent,” Kazachkova says. “Ironically, this direction brought me closer to design. I learned to work with graphic editors and picked up foundational visual skills. Over time, I realized that design was the perfect space where my technical background and creative spirit could finally meet.”
Kazachkova is an Indigo Design Gold Winner, which she credits with giving her a huge confidence boost. “Winning showed me that creative, personal projects can have a real impact,” she says. “It also reminded me that bold ideas and authentic collaboration are worth pursuing, both in my client work and personal vision.”
For Kazachkova, confidence and perseverance are qualities that help aspiring designers get to the next level. “My advice for up-and-coming designers is not to give up after one failure. Failing means nothing,” she says. “You only need one good attempt to move forward, so keep trying. Stop hiding your portfolio in drafts. Publish your work even if it’s only 70 percent done. Share it with the world. People will give you feedback, and that’s how you grow, so be open to critique.”
Kazachkova’s design approach starts with identifying the core pain point. “I always ask, is this the real problem, or is this just a symptom?” she says. “Once we identify what truly needs solving, everything else becomes clearer.” After she gets to the root of the issue, Kazachkova starts gathering context from users, stakeholders, and data to see how the system currently works and where the cracks are. “My process is iterative and grounded in real-world constraints,” Kazachkova says. “I prototype early, test often, and collaborate closely with developers and analysts.” She quantifies success by how her product truly helps someone and if they use what she’s created in the real world.
Kazachkova’s driving force, and the reason she discovered her love of design in the first place, is her daughter. “Becoming a mother made me reflect deeply on what I really wanted to do with my life, not just for myself but for her future too,” she says. “My daughter is the biggest driver in my life. She reminds me every day why I choose meaningful work.”
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