Staff Profile: Natus Vincere designer

Meet Catherine "dramacat" Rudenko!

There is a large number of creative and interesting people In Natus Vincere and each of them has something to tell our readers. Due to the peculiarities of their professions, employees often remain behind the scenes, but this does not detract from their contribution to the common cause.

Today we want to introduce you to the person whose work you get to see on a daily basis: the guest of the special column "Staff Profile" is the designer of  NAVI -  Catherine "dramacat" Rudenko. The sacrifices for the sake of working at  NAVI, professionalism and really good deeds - all about that in our interview!

— First, tell us a little about yourself: how old are you, where are you from, what did you do in your childhood?

— Hi! I am 20 years old, was born and brought up in Kyiv. I was quite an active child, and when I got a computer, I became interested in games, all the while attending various clubs - from music school to aikido (though there was only one class, it still sounds cool!). In general, I tried to catch everything and everywhere.

— In  NAVI, your field is design. Do you combine work with study at the moment?

— After school, I immediately started part-time study at the University of Food Technologies to study the technology of confectionery. Since childhood, I loved cooking, that's why I decided to go there, in part due to childish naivety. At first, I worked as a waiter/bartender, and after a year and a half I got into NAVI, and could not dedicate as much time to studying. So, having weighed all the pros and cons, I dropped my studies, which I never regretted.

— Why did you choose to work, not study?

— There were many reasons. First, the desire to work in the restaurant business has faded. Secondly, thanks to my brother, I graduated from the course and was greatly inspired by design. Third, at the end of the second year, I already worked for NAVI and realized that a useless study only takes time that I could devote to work. Actually, having scored all the exams and later taking the documents from the university, I gave all of me to the work.

I'm glad that I made such a decision. The diploma of the food technologist to me in general never would help with the design. In fact, I just paid to get a piece of paper. If you work hard, you can succeed without the higher education. I do not, in any way, advocate the rejection of university education, but sometimes circumstances develop in such a way that this is the right choice. Just do not be afraid to do what you want, and you should never drive yourself into the boundaries of public opinion.

— Why did you choose this profession? Did you consider more common options like an economist or a lawyer?

— 70% of the "guilt" lies on the brother. He pretty much insisted on me trying myself in design. In the end, he persuaded me and helped with the courses. In fact, this is an unreal push, a sense of great responsibility, when someone believes in you so much.

— Do you remember how you started to master design? Tell me about the first serious projects?

— Somewhere in the fifth class I bought a CD with Photoshop CS3 and started looking for lessons on collage and retouching. Then it was just messing around for the sake of pleasure, but in the end, I went to the courses with some knowledge.

The first serious projects were on the courses. We needed to develop the redesign of a well-known Ukrainian site selling eyeglasses and present it to the owner of this site. The second project (graduation) is the design and text of a long read about one of the streets of Kyiv. For a couple of days, I just walked along the chosen street, took pictures, went to all the courtyards. It was interesting, I really love the architecture of the center of Kyiv, all these old houses with stucco, it's a pity that no one is trying to preserve this beauty.

As a result, I prepared the project for a month, then it was necessary to present it to the full audience of people. It was scary, but this practice made me stronger, and I managed to overcome the fear of public speaking.

— What do you need to know and be able to do well in your work? Is there a universal set of programs that you need to use confidently?

— The main thing is to work hard. You need a constant practice to do something cool. In the design, a bunch of ramifications from the web to the motion design. So depending on the specifications, you need a certain software package. Personally, I most often use Photoshop, Indesign, and Illustrator. Less often - Premier and After Effects. Sometimes for general development, I indulge in Cinema 4D. The more you know, the better. :)

— Is it so important for a modern designer to be able to draw beautifully and understand art in general? Does the education received in art school or university help, or does anyone want to download a "Photoshop" and declare themselves as a designer?

— There is much debate about this. I'm a little sad because I do not have the profile education. But it is important to understand that the designer and the artist are different professions. Basic drawing skills will be useful for sketching, just so you can sketch out what's in your head on a piece of paper.

If I have the pointe, I will not be a ballerina, it's the same here.

— If I'm not mistaken, an important role for building a career in this area is played by a portfolio. How did you shape yours?

— After the courses, I added the educational projects described above. Since then, I did not add anything to it. It is important when looking for a job, but since I'm not looking for a new job, I'm lazy to update it.

— Did you need it to get into NAVI? Share a story about how you joined the club!

— We need to ask HR. :) The story is simple: I sent out a resume, did a test, went to one interview, went to the second - and successfully got into the team. At first, I could not believe it. I thought that there was an unreal competition of the best designers of Ukraine, but everything turned out to be simpler. The main thing is to believe in yourself!

— When you first started working at Natus Vincere, did you have to face any difficulties?

— One can't do without some of those. I had little work experience, so there were difficulties with the deadlines, but thanks to Lyosha Kondakov (our former art director), I quickly adapted to the new conditions.

— What tasks did you initially have? What are you responsible for today?

— Initially, I was taken to the position of Junior Graphic Designer. My responsibilities included creating video covers, creating social networks and materials for promotional campaigns.

Over two years much has changed. Now I have a lot more responsibilities on me. Before I was under the guidance of the art director and creative director and just did my job, now I control the processes of our designers from the media.

In fact, I'm a mix of a brand designer, a web designer, and a digital designer. At the moment, the most time I spend is on the revision of our site. Since it is now at the beta stage, we listen to the reviews of our dear fans and try to do everything to make the stay on the site as useful, comfortable and easy as possible.

— There is a stereotype: the designer is the person who only creates "pictures" in Photoshop. Meanwhile, you, for example, participate in the creation of videos, you are present at photo shoots... Is there really no way to get by without a designer?

— Very silly stereotype, I want to note :) Without a designer, you can get by, but in many cases, this will greatly affect the quality of the product. For example, in photo sessions I suggest and help players, I prepare the form before shooting, I try to do everything so that I get pictures suitable for work on the way out.

— Many notice the outstanding design in the training house of the Born to Win. Is it also the fruit of your work?

—This is the design (pictured below) created by me, the rest was created by the guys from the marketing department.

Before that, I never did projects of this kind. But if you do not set yourself a task higher than your bar, you will not grow. As a result, the entire process was extremely difficult, but also interesting at the same time. The main thing is that the final result turned out the way I wanted it to be.

— How would you describe your work team?

— The colleagues are very friendly. The media department is, for me, the most welcoming. It seems to me that we perceive each other as friends, not colleagues. It is much more pleasant to work in such a warm atmosphere when we spend 5 days a week together.

— And how many people work with you on design tasks?

— There are four designers in the office: two in marketing and two in media. Also, we have three freelancers.

— Have you ever experienced a creative crisis? Where do you get ideas from, and where does inspiration come from?

— Creative crisis - justification for weaklings. You either do well - or you do not. Ideas can be scooped from everywhere, even from everyday life, but if it comes to sites, then this trio is in my top: Behance, Pinterest, littlebigdetails.

— Are friends and acquaintances surprised that you ended up in such an unusual sphere?

— Not that much, they are aware that I'm a fan of playing games, so I was just glad that I got into a comfortable sphere for myself.

— Have you ever thought that one day you will work in esports?

— Yes, and more than once. Perhaps it was even my little dream.

— When did you become interested in games and computer sports? Do you play anything in your free time?

— Since my childhood I've been a gamer: my older brother and best friend greatly influenced this; it so happened we often went to a computer club where Sasha Kochanovsky worked as an administrator. So, the world is small.

Now I spend much less time playing games. Most often I play Dota 2 and CS:GO.

— Do you follow the successes of the Born to Win? What disciplines are you particularly interested in?

— It is difficult to work in an organization when you aren't aware of its successes. :)

I try to never miss the games of Dota 2 and CS:GO squads

— And how do your relatives and friends treat cybersports? Do they watch The International for Dota 2 and the majors for CS:GO?

— Dad is an avid WoT player, my mother is only aware of esports through to my stories, but my brother, as I have already said, got me hooked on this whole thing. Many friends follow the success of our teams.

— By the way, about the tournaments ... Have you ever been to LANs? Share your feelings!

— I've been to LANs only in Kiev. The feelings, of course, are very different compared to watching the stream at home. You react more emotionally to what's happening. :) It is difficult to convey with words, you need to experience it yourself.

— As far as I know, you are not only a designer and a creative person, but also a great animal lover. Especially when it comes to kitties. Tell me about your favorites?

— It seems to me that I'm too empathized with the animals. I always wanted to help everyone. Since childhood, there have been pets in the house: hamsters, cats, and a dog. Now I have a cat, picked up on the street. During a walk with my friend, I heard a feeble mewing on the tree, and I realized that I needed to save the kitty. A year and a half she lived with my brother, and then, when I left my parents, took her to my house. Now, this pink-nosed miracle meets me after work.

— And what was the most unusual domestic pet?

— Not really my pet, my parents have an Akhatin snail. Quite frankly, I do not quite understand why would you keep such a wonderful creature at home; nonetheless, it produces an impression of a fun one. The most amazing thing is that a snail likes to be petted during water procedures!

— You're doing charity, aren't you?

— I try to help the shelters financially on a regular basis, and in the fall I decided to go to the Sirius shelter with my dad and Yana "b2ru" Khimchenko. A lot of guys from the NAVI office helped financially, among other things. All I can say is that it's very difficult emotionally. All animals are very friendly, so yearning for your attention and warmth. I just want people to be kinder to the animals. Perhaps, then the situation will change a little.

— How else do you spend free time? Does a NAVI employee have it at all?

— Strangely enough, I do have it! Often you have to keep in touch during the weekend, however, there is time for yourself and for friends. At such times I mostly do household chores or spend time with friends.

— If you just dream up a little, what kind of person do you see yourself in five years?

— I do not know what I'll be in a day, let alone that much time! :)

Blitz-Questions:

— Artist or group that never gets boring?
Tame Impala and Guns N 'Roses (forever in my heart).

— One of the last films that made an indelible impression on you?
Dunkirk

— Favorite book?
F. Kafka, "Transformation."

— The most delicious breakfast?
The one made by mom

— A place you dream to visit?
Everywhere! But first, Scandinavia.

VIEW Catherine's new artworks: