Behind the scenes at the Wix Kyiv Design Hub

With the exciting launch of the Wix Kyiv Design Hub underway, we met with Web Designer, Anastasiia Khazieieva, to hear all about her Wix story and learn more about the amazing new studio.

What’s your Wix story?

My journey with Wix started before I even joined the team. I was invited to a Wix event, and immediately I fell in love with the atmosphere. I got the opportunity to join the company in 2019 on a small but mighty design team in Wix Kyiv as a Web Designer. After a few great years at Wix, I decided to take a career break. I had been working from a young age, and felt it was time for me to focus on my personal development. 

Working on a global team, it’s not a given that you form connections with your peers abroad, but for me, I always felt a strong bond to them, even after I had left. When the war began and I was no longer part of the team, my former manager and colleagues consistently checked in on me and supported me, which reaffirmed the love and friendship I had with my team. That’s why when I was approached about the upcoming opportunity to lead a new hub in Kyiv, I was thrilled to jump back in.

Anastasiia Khazieieva, Web Designer

What makes Wix Design unique?

For me, what separates Design at Wix is the people and the culture. No one is just looking out for themselves or trying to get ahead of their peers. Our designers genuinely want to work together, collaborating and helping each other in any way we can, even on our busiest days. There are no games, just talented individuals building strong teams.

What has it been like on the ground since the launch of the Wix Kyiv Design Hub?

There is a lot going on getting this studio up and running. I’m so excited to be a part of this project. The Hub is a passion project for a lot of us, and there is so much emotion driving it forward. I love it so much already.

When I first started at Wix, everyone helped me with everything. Now, I feel honored to be in a role where I can give that back to new designers, and be that same kind of mentor to them. It's amazing teaching new designers and feeling their accomplishments alongside them when I see the progress they’re making. I want to help give them the confidence and tools they need, showing them they are not alone in this new journey, and continue to all grow together as the Hub does.

“When I first started at Wix, everyone helped me with everything. Now, I feel honored to be in a role where I can give that back to new designers, and be that same kind of mentor to them.”

What role do you see the Hub playing in the Ukrainian design community?

We have a lot of design schools in Kyiv, and because of the size of the community I think Wix has an opportunity to raise the bar and standards in the community.

Web design is not the main focus of the community, and that’s a shame in my opinion. A lot of designers coming out of school aren’t aware of the possibilities for growth in this path. The Hub has an opportunity to show Ukrainian designers that there is more out there than UX. The potential is endless.

Where do you see the Wix Kyiv Design Hub going in five years?

I want it to be huge. Ideally, the Hub could become one of Wix’s largest design studios, similar to what we have at our headquarters at Wix Campus. I see it being a special place that fosters innovation, where we create amazing things from beautiful assets to AI projects.

CALLING DESIGNERS📣 If you’re a designer based in Kyiv, reach out to us and find out if the Wix Kyiv Design Hub is right for you!