My Master of Design (Hon.) at COFA, UNSW focused on one question:
How can we improve children’s engagement with printed materials to support better learning outcomes?
My research shows that the more areas of the brain engaged in processing information, the stronger the memorisation and recall. I explored how to activate as many of these pathways as possible — story for narrative memory, colour for emotional response, sound and action for sensory cues, spatial awareness for orientation, and visual coding for recognition.
In short: designing visuals that teach, entertain, and stay in a child’s memory.
But my journey with children’s design began long before my Master’s.
Over the years, I’ve illustrated several children’s books and created my own comic book about the adventures of a Ukrainian boy in Australia — writing 20 stories and drawing all of the comic illustrations myself.
These projects shaped my understanding of how we see, learn, and connect with visual narratives — a foundation that continues to guide my work today.
Murals are a powerful way to transform an interior, creating an immediate emotional response and a strong sense of place. Whether subtle and atmospheric or bold and expressive, a mural can change the mood of a room instantly, making it feel more connected, considered, and complete. As a Sydney-based artist and designer, I specialise in creating custom interior murals that integrate seamlessly with residential and commercial spaces. Unlike external murals, interior murals become part of daily life — interacting with natural light, architecture, furniture, and textures. A well-designed mural unites colours, materials, and styles, acting as a visual anchor for the entire interior. I work exclusively with professional, art-quality acrylic paints, chosen for their durability, colour stability, and practicality. Acrylic paint is washable and long-lasting, making it ideal for interiors where both beauty and functionality matter. With correct surface preparation and finishing, an interior mural remains vibrant and resilient for many years. Finish plays a crucial role in the final result. When working with acrylics, it is important not to mix matte and glossy surfaces unintentionally, as this can disrupt the visual harmony of the artwork. A consistent finish ensures the mural reads as a cohesive piece rather than fragmented elements reflecting light differently. An interior mural is often the final design layer — the element that brings everything together. It can soften a minimalist space, add depth to neutral interiors, or create a quiet focal point that enhances the character of a room. Thoughtfully created, a mural does not overpower an interior; it completes it. If you are looking for a custom mural artist in Sydney to create a unique, site-specific artwork for your interior, I welcome collaborations with homeowners, interior designers, architects, and commercial clients.
Knowing your tools deeply — how they behave, how they age, how they respond to light and heat — changes the way you work and the confidence with which you make decisions. During my time at Azur Studio in Kyiv, we took part in a number of art trips across Europe, visiting paint and medium manufacturers directly. These experiences were invaluable. Being able to ask questions about materials from the people who created them — the chemists, designers, and technicians behind the products — gave us insights no manual or catalogue ever could. Who could know the materials better than those who developed them? Along the way, we also participated in workshops with local designers who introduced us to the full potential of different gels and pastes, transparent and opaque paints, and specialised products for textile decoration and pseudo stained glass. We explored techniques for creating patina, working with gilding, and layering surfaces in ways that expanded both technical knowledge and creative possibility. I often find myself missing those times — being surrounded by like-minded professionals, travelling, learning, experimenting, and talking endlessly about what we loved most: paint, surface, and decoration. Those journeys shaped not only my technical approach, but also my respect for materials as active partners in the creative process.
