Welcome to our first Designer Spotlight, a new series where we highlight the exceptional works of top designers. In this inaugural article, we feature Artemii Lebedev, the award-winning designer and art director behind Le:mma Studio. Discover his unique blend of aesthetics and functionality, and get inspired by his innovative approach and notable projects.
Artemii Lebedev is award-winning Designer, Art Director, and Founder of Le:mma Studio. Based in Belgrade, Serbia and NYC. His passion is a blend of aesthetics and functionality, wrapped in a dynamic package.
Featured Work
Armur
A portfolio website for Alexandra Murgu, who specializes in special effects and costumes for movies and TV shows in the horror genre.
Kieran Clarke
A portfolio website for an award-winning stuntman and stunt coordinator. Kieran is renowned for his work with Tom Cruise in movie “Mission Impossible”.
c23 Labs
A minimalist one-page website for Oscar Akermo’s campaign, c23 Labs. This is the place where all tattoo artists can connect and learn new skills.
Q Industrial
A website for an industrial campaign focused on the production and application of high-quality paints suitable for any type of surface, ranging from the automotive industry to factories.
The/ Thirty7
A website for a production agency that focuses on animations, motion design, and marketing.
Showreel ’23-’24
Personal Approach to Projects
Each project is approached individually. It is crucial to find a connection with the founder, artist, or team you are working with. Every project goes through several stages of conceptualization, usually 4-5 versions. In most cases, the final result that users see at launch is a combination of several concepts, creating an entirely new entity. Sometimes, it is a clear metaphor that was noticed initially, even before starting the work. But there are situations when we find a very small thread after all the experiments and scale it to the entire project, creating a cohesive storytelling experience.
Artemii’s Brief Biography
I began my career as a business analyst with a focus on programming, though this programming was not the web development you’re familiar with. The key was understanding the code — whether it was C++ or C# — not necessarily writing it. By reading the code, I could identify logical inconsistencies and system failures, which had allowed me to set up macros and improve business processes within the company. These processes could involve internal team workflows or external interactions with clients.
Over time, I realized that this path was not entirely for me, despite studying for six years in this field (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). After some time (~2 years) I transitioned to interface design and worked at a product company alongside Jonah Bolden. Soon after, we co-founded our own design and development studio.
Today, I’m the founder of my own studio called Le:mma and I am a freelance multidisciplinary designer.
Design Philosophy
- Listen and Empathize
Understand the client’s perspective before starting any work. - Context
Context is essential for performing well. I make a strong effort to thoroughly brief the client, even if it becomes challenging at times. - Collaboration
Collaboration is not just about working with other designers; I view working with the client as a collaborative process as well. Together, we build the project piece by piece. Every opinion is valuable, regardless of expertise. - Idea and Metaphor
A strong idea and metaphor underpin all design. Design without an idea simply exists. - Less is More
Embrace simplicity to enhance effectiveness. - Presentation Matters
The way a design is presented is as crucial as the design itself. Poor presentation can undermine the perception of the design and ruin the overall impact. - Personal Preference
I avoid designing things that I don’t personally like. - Avoid Re-Inventing the Wheel
Utilize common patterns and solutions unless there’s a specific need to innovate. Integrating these elements correctly with the main metaphor will result in a solid project.
Favorite Tools and Methods
I mainly use the following software:
Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Maxon Cinema4D + Redshift, and Webflow.
Additionally, I incorporate plugins, scripts, and services such as Amazon S3 and others. In any case, software programs are just tools to help reproduce and bring your ideas to life. You can use anything that works for you.
Inspiration
Music has the greatest influence on me. It’s not confined to a specific genre — it can be electronic (Afterlife, Adam Bayer, etc.) or post-punk, K-POP (The Killers, Stray Kids). When I listen to music, I immerse myself in the composition, and I enjoy the state it puts me in. The world seems slightly different.
I don’t have any favorite magazines or books that I regularly reference. Sometimes even simple movie or TV show credits can spark an idea. Everything around us can inspire a thought; the key is to capture it in time. I don’t have the best memory, so I always keep notes of my ideas and sort them by date.
Over time, I can revisit these notes and experiment with the ideas.
Future Goals
I believe I am trying to find my new level. This isn’t directly related to design; rather, it’s an endless process of self-improvement. From the simple act of exercising to mastering the balance between work and personal life, my goal is to continually progress as an individual.
Embracing Evolution in Design
A good designer understands that the world around us is constantly evolving, and they want to be one of those who contribute to that development. They care about whether they can bring something new to their surroundings, beyond discussions of improved metrics and streamlined processes.