Portraits of a City: Kha!

Portraits of a City: Kha!

Portraits of a City: Kharkiv Characters

Portraits of a City: Kharkiv Characters

This personal project is a visual tribute to Kharkiv, Ukraine—my hometown and creative starting point. The goal was to capture the spirit of the city through a series of stylized portraits inspired by the everyday characters you might pass on the street. From posture to clothing to expression, each figure is an ode to the rhythm, humor, and personality woven into Kharkiv’s public spaces.

Industry

Personal

Scope of work

Portraits of a City: Kharkiv Characters

This personal project is a visual tribute to Kharkiv, Ukraine—my hometown and creative starting point. The goal was to capture the spirit of the city through a series of stylized portraits inspired by the everyday characters you might pass on the street. From posture to clothing to expression, each figure is an ode to the rhythm, humor, and personality woven into Kharkiv’s public spaces.

Industry

Personal

Scope of work

Exploring Form, Rhythm & Composition

Exploring Form, Rhythm & Composition

Exploring Form, Rhythm & Composition

The series blends 2D and 3D illustration techniques, experimenting with contrast, flatness, and dimension. A consistent visual rhythm was developed through the use of parallel lines and strong silhouettes, while composition and pacing were treated as intentionally as character design. The city’s name was also drawn by hand—custom typography that sits at the center of the composition, anchoring the series in place and identity.

Visual direction focused on spatial structure, layering, and texture.

An Illustrated Language of Belonging

An Illustrated Language of Belonging

An Illustrated Language of Belonging

This project was both technical and emotional—a way of processing place through design. Each character became part of a shared visual narrative, shaped by memory, movement, and spatial tension. Together, they form a quiet but vibrant collection that feels unmistakably local.

The work reflects a personal lens on city life—where design becomes a form of cultural memory and visual belonging.

Have a project in mind?

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 illustration.design

Let’s talk.

Working on something exciting? Let’s chat about how design can elevate your product, brand, or idea.

Quick response.

You’ll hear back shortly—usually within a day. If it’s a good fit, we’ll book a quick intro call to dive in.

Clear next steps.

After the chat, you’ll get a timeline, process outline, and project scope—no guesswork, no confusion.

illustration.design

Tania

Have a project in mind?

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Let’s talk.

Working on something exciting? Let’s chat about how design can elevate your product, brand, or idea.

Quick response.

You’ll hear back shortly—usually within a day. If it’s a good fit, we’ll book a quick intro call to dive in.

Clear next steps.

After the chat, you’ll get a timeline, process outline, and project scope—no guesswork, no confusion.

illustration.design

Tania

Have a project in mind?

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 illustration.design

Let’s talk.

Working on something exciting? Let’s chat about how design can elevate your product, brand, or idea.

Quick response.

You’ll hear back shortly—usually within a day. If it’s a good fit, we’ll book a quick intro call to dive in.

Clear next steps.

After the chat, you’ll get a timeline, process outline, and project scope—no guesswork, no confusion.

illustration.design

Tania