This week we head over to Russia… St Petersburg to be precise and meet the very nice Mr. Evgeny Kiselev.

Mr. Kiselev is a fantastic designer that has brought brightness to our screens for the past few years with his wonderful graphics and illustrations. Loved by his clients as he is his hoards of fans…

We spend a few moments to find out a little more about this charming man.

Site: http://www.ekiselev.com

Blog: Click here

Comtact: hello@ekiselev.com

FMCS: Hi Evgeny please tell us a little bit about yourself, your past lives and how you came to be where you currently are today!

It’s not first time when I answer this question, and it’s always difficult for me. Well, I’ll try again. I’m 25 years old, tall, blond guy I live and work in St Petersburg city, Russia.

The last two years I work as a freelance graphic designer and digital artist. Before that I wasted my time in an advertising agency working as art director. It was beautiful day when all that stuff made me think and I decided to lead myself into free flight.

Now I’m convinced it was the right way because the speed of professional growth is much higher than when you are imprisoned in any office. Finally I needn’t an alarm-clock.

FMCS: Why are you called Evgeny and not say Tom or Stanley? Or even Cindy and why did you choose this name?

This name was predetermined before my arrival. There was one extremely popular movie in those times with two main characters called Evgeny and Nadya.

My parents were inspired and gave my sister and me such names. But maybe it’s just a coincidence.

FMCS: How’s life treating you right now?

Sometimes I am surprised how wonderful and brilliant everything is. But sadness also happens, probably because of the weather…

FMCS: Where are you currently residing? And do you work out of the same location?

All my thoughts are about the holiday now. I’ll think about all the work later.

FMCS: What’s the creative scene like in St Petersberg right now? Is there a rising collective or quality designers, Artists, Musicians?

St.-Petersburg is quite a big city - 5 million people in total. However there are few really bright collectives, and even those that are there move to the capital (Moscow) to get more money and events. So it’s not very gaily to live here.

Doubtless, St.-Petersburg is one of the most marvelous cities in the world. Here is rich ballet and theater scene, and museums that are known all over the world but unfortunately it has to little progressive creative youth who can do something special.

FMCS: Can you strum a Balalaika? Have you ever tried?

Frankly, I’ve never kept the real balalaika in my hands. I had small plastic one in the childhood but now we exist separately. Nowadays it’s not easy to find balalaika in Russia, in souvenir shops exclusively. By the way, one more

Russian symbol - fur hat (Ushanka) - can be seen only on the tourists. It looks ridiculous.

FMCS: What / who / thing kicked off your interest in graphic design?

Michael C. Place Build, Saiman Chow, Desingraphik, Joshua Davis, Jemma Hostetler, Nando Costa, James Jean, Tomer Hanuka, Jeremyville, Universal Everything, Pleix, PsyOP.

These guys make my heart inspired and my eyes widen.

FMCS: On the subject of music does music inspire your work in anyway?

Usagi-chang super star compilations, Thievery Corporation, Shpongle, Deadbeat, Pole, Amorphous Androgynous, Rhythm & Sound, Shulman, Jairamji. This music helps me to relax or to concentrate.
Actually, I’m fanatic music collector. I always listen to something whether I am at home or walking with I-pod. Now I like walking with minimal click’n'cuts or enchanting psychedelic.

I also have fantastic set of Indian songs, which one can run in every circumstance with any weather. If I couldn’t draw, I would have taken up music.

FMCS: How do you find working with recent clients+do they give you creative freedom?

I have some recent clients who always clap their hands about my creative freedom.  There are some limitations of course, but when it is an order its final.

FMCS: How do you kick back and relax when you are not working?

I spend my time the same way like thousands young people all over the world: parties, picnics, clubs, traveling and so on.

I like to travel through India. It’s the incomprehensible endless country where one can travel during their whole life and always find there something new. I’d like to make a trip to the Himalayas next time. But soon I’m going to the Sicily. I adore Italy – small elegant country with joyous people!

FMCS: Let us know your favorite top 5 web sites?

cpluv.com  -  three years ago I’ve found here a lot of talented artists and I observe the newcomers here.
newstoday.com - every-day-site
frenchnfresh.com - I like the way my French friends select the news – very tastefully.
flickr.com - endless trip through foto-stories
designcollector.ru - from Russia with luv

FMCS: What would be the best tip you could give other people seeking to work in creative design?

Do not torment yourself and don’t accuse yourself - it’s futile. One shouldn’t try to invent something special to astonish other people.

Never be in a hurry. And be a strict judge with what you produce.

FMCS: What is your thoughts on the ‘Russian man style’…? All black clothes, pointy black shoes and leather jacket with elbow pads, to the bone haircut? Subscribe to it or disapprove?

You described the image of a man from the criminal world perfectly.

This is the character of 90’s, when everyone in the streets looked like the character of any small-budget movie about harsh reality. People had to survive and they were aggressive.

Now such people are endangered species. People don’t have such big problems anymore and they want to forget the past.

But this situation is common for big cities. To be honest, I have no clue about the small towns that are thousands kilometers from Moscow or St Petersburg.

FMCS: Are you a good boy…Do you treat your mom well? Put chewing gum in the bin?

Well, about my mom, we see each other once a year. She lives in Milan.

All I have to say about this is that I’m glad that she always let me loose and to take up anything I wanted, apart from things that would affect my health.

FMCS: Evgeny many thanks for the interview and all the best for the future.

Yeh! Nice to meet you! Since this minute I’m your recent reader! Peace`n`respect!

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