Tell us about the studio: Who are the founders, how many employees, where are you based, what’s your speciality, any details you’d like to share.

DVIЙKA (2KA) is a Kyiv-based studio founded by Vika Moskofidi and Danya Nesterevych. We're a tight three-person team (including the two founders) and we believe in the power of small, hands-on collaborations. Our core strength is brand identity, but we also work across naming, book covers, brand strategy and positioning, illustration, design systems, education, research, memes, motion design, editorial, art direction, guidelines, and packaging. At the heart of everything we do is a strong conceptual idea.

What is the story behind the name of the studio?

DVIЙKA (pronounced d-vee-kah) means “a deuce” in Ukrainian. It’s a reference to the number two — because it started with just the two of us. It also stands for multiple perspectives, and for the grade you get in school when you break the rules. We liked that.

Which topics or industries are you most passionate about and focused on?

We’re not tied to a specific industry. Curiosity drives us. Each project begins with deep research and full immersion into the subject. That’s the beauty of working in design — every brief is a new world. What excites us most is exploring the edge between commercial design and art. If a client is open to that kind of exploration, we’re all in.

Do you listen to something or play music while working?

Depends on the day. There’s often music playing in the studio — Danya curates a lot of playlists. We also play music during co-working sessions with clients. But we also respect each other’s need for quiet time, so sometimes the speakers go off and the headphones go on.

How does the team wind down or spend quality time together?
 

It’s a bit tricky now since our designer Sima lives in Paris. But when she is in Kyiv, we make it a point to spend time together — usually by taking photos in an old photo booth or renting a paddle boat on the Dnipro River.

What’s the hardest thing about running a studio?

Operations and money. We’re not business people — we’re designers. But to keep doing what we love, the paperwork has to be signed and the bank account has to work.

What’s the best thing about running a studio?

The freedom to build something your own. Your own rituals, processes, rules, and dreams. For example, we truly believe that we work to live, not the other way around. One of our dreams is to shift to a four-day workweek. It’s not feasible yet (see previous question), but we’re working on it.

Who would you love to collaborate with, or have as a client?

We dream of designing a pavilion for Ukraine at the Venice Biennale.

When was the last time you said ‘no’ to a new client or project and why?

A couple of weeks ago. It was a betting business — not our thing.

What’s your recruitment strategy? How do you decide who to employ?

We’re not planning to expand right now, but since the studio is small, we believe the right people will find us when the time is right.

What's the best advice you can give about working with clients?

See them as people, not just clients. And don’t let your ego run the show.

Where would you like to see the studio in 5 years?

We hope it becomes a safe and inspiring space for our team — a place where everyone can grow, make a living, and create something iconic.

Thank you DVIЙKA (2KA)!