Dmitry

Kustov

About me

Design leader with 15+ years of experience building digital products and guiding design teams. I create emotionally engaging interfaces with clear visual hierarchy, always aligned with business goals. Solutions are recognized for clarity, detail, and effectiveness. I’ve built concept development processes, led collaborations with major banks, and earned lasting client trust. Colleagues value my ability to navigate uncertainty, push for the best outcomes, and empower teams with freedom and constructive feedback.

Work Experience

UXDA - Lead UX/UI Designer

Mar 2019 – Present | Riga, Latvia

Key Achievements

  • Art Director & concept lead on major projects, shaping design directions aligned with brand values and positioning.
  • Redefined concept development by introducing idea-driven frameworks that connected design with strategy and business goals.
  • Initiated brand refresh, creating a new logo and visual positioning that reinforced UXDA’s identity.
  • Mentored and scaled an 8-person team, guiding juniors to senior-level independence and direct client communication.
  • Secured a critical launch: helped a client meet a 6-month deadline with successful on-time delivery.
  • Contributed to award-winning projects: Red Dot 2025 (Liv X), A’Design Award 2023 (BELLA), iF Design Award & UX Design Awards 2022 (Goalry).

Core Responsibilities

  • Creative direction and concept development
  • Team leadership, mentoring, and hiring support
  • Process building and design quality control
  • Client communication, presentations, and workshops
  • Leading projects from concept to delivery
  • Inner brand visual language development
  • Strategic input on company direction

Areto Development - Co-founder

Nov 2014 – Mar 2019 | Riga, Latvia

  • Co-founded full circle design and development digital studio working with fintech and healthcare sectors
  • Delivered design solutions for such prominent companies as international insurance services Malakut and Tjenestetorget
  • Oversaw design delivery, stakeholder communication, and team workflows (5 people)

Early Roles

2010 – 2014

  • Started as a front-end designer and web developer, working on marketing and product websites
  • At Booking Group, served as Marketing Manager, leading a small team of 5 people and coordinating digital campaigns, branding, and design updates for project Economy Bookings
  • Gained early experience in UX thinking, brand communication, and cross-functional collaboration

Skills

Design Leadership

  • Creative Direction & Concept Development
  • Team Growth & Mentorship
  • Feedback Culture & Design Hiring
  • Workshop Facilitation & Client Communication

Product & UX

  • UX Strategy & Idea-Driven Frameworks
  • System Thinking & Design Systems
  • JTBD & Problem Framing
  • Visual Hierarchy & Emotional Impact
  • User-Centered & Interaction Design

Execution & Tools

  • UI Design & Visual Direction
  • Figma (Components, Tokens, Prototyping)
  • Motion & Interaction Collaboration
  • Rapid Concept Prototyping

Other

  • Strategic Brand Design
  • Financial UX Expertise
  • HTML/CSS (basic)

Languages

  • English (Professional), Russian (Native), Latvian (Conversational)

Dmitry

Kustov

About me

Design leader with 15+ years of experience building digital products and guiding design teams. I create emotionally engaging interfaces with clear visual hierarchy, always aligned with business goals. Solutions are recognized for clarity, detail, and effectiveness. I’ve built concept development processes, led collaborations with major banks, and earned lasting client trust. Colleagues value my ability to navigate uncertainty, push for the best outcomes, and empower teams with freedom and constructive feedback.

Work Experience

UXDA - Lead UX/UI Designer

Mar 2019 – Present | Riga, Latvia

Key Achievements

  • Art Director & concept lead on major projects, shaping design directions aligned with brand values and positioning.
  • Redefined concept development by introducing idea-driven frameworks that connected design with strategy and business goals.
  • Initiated brand refresh, creating a new logo and visual positioning that reinforced UXDA’s identity.
  • Mentored and scaled an 8-person team, guiding juniors to senior-level independence and direct client communication.
  • Secured a critical launch: helped a client meet a 6-month deadline with successful on-time delivery.
  • Contributed to award-winning projects: Red Dot 2025 (Liv X), A’Design Award 2023 (BELLA), iF Design Award & UX Design Awards 2022 (Goalry).

Core Responsibilities

  • Creative direction and concept development
  • Team leadership, mentoring, and hiring support
  • Process building and design quality control
  • Client communication, presentations, and workshops
  • Leading projects from concept to delivery
  • Inner brand visual language development
  • Strategic input on company direction

Areto Development - Co-founder

Nov 2014 – Mar 2019 | Riga, Latvia

  • Co-founded full circle design and development digital studio working with fintech and healthcare sectors
  • Delivered design solutions for such prominent companies as international insurance services Malakut and Tjenestetorget
  • Oversaw design delivery, stakeholder communication, and team workflows (5 people)

Early Roles

2010 – 2014

  • Started as a front-end designer and web developer, working on marketing and product websites
  • At Booking Group, served as Marketing Manager, leading a small team of 5 people and coordinating digital campaigns, branding, and design updates for project Economy Bookings
  • Gained early experience in UX thinking, brand communication, and cross-functional collaboration

Skills

Design Leadership

  • Creative Direction & Concept Development
  • Team Growth & Mentorship
  • Feedback Culture & Design Hiring
  • Workshop Facilitation & Client Communication

Product & UX

  • UX Strategy & Idea-Driven Frameworks
  • System Thinking & Design Systems
  • JTBD & Problem Framing
  • Visual Hierarchy & Emotional Impact
  • User-Centered & Interaction Design

Execution & Tools

  • UI Design & Visual Direction
  • Figma (Components, Tokens, Prototyping)
  • Motion & Interaction Collaboration
  • Rapid Concept Prototyping

Other

  • Strategic Brand Design
  • Financial UX Expertise
  • HTML/CSS (basic)

Languages

  • English (Professional), Russian (Native), Latvian (Conversational)

Dmitry

Kustov

About me

Design leader with 15+ years of experience building digital products and guiding design teams. I create emotionally engaging interfaces with clear visual hierarchy, always aligned with business goals. Solutions are recognized for clarity, detail, and effectiveness. I’ve built concept development processes, led collaborations with major banks, and earned lasting client trust. Colleagues value my ability to navigate uncertainty, push for the best outcomes, and empower teams with freedom and constructive feedback.

Work Experience

UXDA - Lead UX/UI Designer

Mar 2019 – Present | Riga, Latvia

Key Achievements

  • Art Director & concept lead on major projects, shaping design directions aligned with brand values and positioning.
  • Redefined concept development by introducing idea-driven frameworks that connected design with strategy and business goals.
  • Initiated brand refresh, creating a new logo and visual positioning that reinforced UXDA’s identity.
  • Mentored and scaled an 8-person team, guiding juniors to senior-level independence and direct client communication.
  • Secured a critical launch: helped a client meet a 6-month deadline with successful on-time delivery.
  • Contributed to award-winning projects: Red Dot 2025 (Liv X), A’Design Award 2023 (BELLA), iF Design Award & UX Design Awards 2022 (Goalry).

Core Responsibilities

  • Creative direction and concept development
  • Team leadership, mentoring, and hiring support
  • Process building and design quality control
  • Client communication, presentations, and workshops
  • Leading projects from concept to delivery
  • Inner brand visual language development
  • Strategic input on company direction

Areto Development - Co-founder

Nov 2014 – Mar 2019 | Riga, Latvia

  • Co-founded full circle design and development digital studio working with fintech and healthcare sectors
  • Delivered design solutions for such prominent companies as international insurance services Malakut and Tjenestetorget
  • Oversaw design delivery, stakeholder communication, and team workflows (5 people)

Early Roles

2010 – 2014

  • Started as a front-end designer and web developer, working on marketing and product websites
  • At Booking Group, served as Marketing Manager, leading a small team of 5 people and coordinating digital campaigns, branding, and design updates for project Economy Bookings
  • Gained early experience in UX thinking, brand communication, and cross-functional collaboration

Skills

Design Leadership

  • Creative Direction & Concept Development
  • Team Growth & Mentorship
  • Feedback Culture & Design Hiring
  • Workshop Facilitation & Client Communication

Product & UX

  • UX Strategy & Idea-Driven Frameworks
  • System Thinking & Design Systems
  • JTBD & Problem Framing
  • Visual Hierarchy & Emotional Impact
  • User-Centered & Interaction Design

Execution & Tools

  • UI Design & Visual Direction
  • Figma (Components, Tokens, Prototyping)
  • Motion & Interaction Collaboration
  • Rapid Concept Prototyping

Other

  • Strategic Brand Design
  • Financial UX Expertise
  • HTML/CSS (basic)

Languages

  • English (Professional), Russian (Native), Latvian (Conversational)