A View on Design: with Victor Belinatti, Design Lead at Work&Co

Can you tell me a bit about your journey in design?

My journey in design began at the young age of 13 when I delved into creating YouTube thumbnails, initially just for fun. Little did I know that this simple act would ignite a passion that would shape my future career. As I immersed myself in the world of design, I found joy in making things aesthetically pleasing, driven by the question: "How can I make this look nicer?"

I enrolled in a visual communication course at a public technical school, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of art, drawing, and photography. This experience laid the foundation for my professional growth. Through internships and experiences at local agencies and digital design studios, I honed my skills and ventured into the digital realm. My biggest gratitude was understanding where to seek references, train your eye, and get inspired—a skill that's hard to acquire. The idea of educating your eye and surrounding yourself with good references shaped me.

Exposure to major agencies like Huge broadened my horizons, allowing me to work with prestigious clients and collaborate with talented professionals, shaping me into the designer I am today.

My journey continued to evolve as I joined Work & Co, where I've had the privilege of contributing to projects across diverse industries. Working in consultancies has provided invaluable opportunities for rapid skill development, empowering me to tackle new challenges with confidence. As I reflect on my journey thus far, I’m immensely proud of how far I've come and eagerly anticipate the future adventures and growth that lie ahead, supported by an exceptional team.

Could you share a bit about your experiences in Interaction Design field?

I've always been unafraid to explore new avenues within my field. I believe that my willingness to take initiative and tackle tasks beyond my initial scope has opened doors for me in lots of experiences. I've delved into a wide range of tasks—from interface design and prototyping to branding, motion graphics, illustration, and video editing—all in pursuit of delivering a final product where I could uphold a consistent level of quality across the entire ecosystem. As a result, each of my experiences has been transformative, allowing me to expand my skill set and capabilities as a designer.

Do you have any project in your portfolio that you would like to share the experience with us?

To this day, the project that has had the greatest impact on me is Epic Games made at Work & Co. The realization that I contributed to delivering a project to over 200 million users, where every decision I made had a tangible effect, is truly profound. As I mentioned earlier, having a broader vision of what constitutes good design in various areas allowed me to infuse more of my personal touch into the project beyond just the interface—such as icons, patterns, and animations. Witnessing these elements reflected and knowing that millions of people are experiencing a part of me is incredibly gratifying. I had the privilege of closely understanding the development process, almost as if working in-house, which was truly amazing. And, naturally, as a dedicated gamer, I couldn't have been more thrilled.

What does design mean to you?

While the conventional notion suggests that design is for everyone and primarily functional—a process I've often endorsed in the past—today, I've come to realize that for both my professional and personal fulfillment, design is also deeply personal. It encompasses my emotions, challenges me, and challenges the world around me. It enriches my soul, offering both gratification and discomfort. It communicates something profound—it's about emotions and learning to detach from them.

Your source of inspiration:

Today, my greatest inspirations come from games or the physical world, and how I visualize these elements for the digital realm. The most rewarding interaction experiences I've encountered occurred in games, as they transcended the mere notion of "solving a problem" to providing genuine enjoyment during interaction. Additionally, I explore ways to discover novelty in the physical world, whether it involves fashion, footwear, or art.

What would you recommend for someone interested in starting with design?

Design is simply design. Today, more than ever, being a generalist designer is extremely important to remain relevant in the market. Don't be afraid to explore design as a whole and not just limit yourself to the idea of what user interface and user experience are.

Join Victor Belinatti to learn brand-driven design frameworks and deliver unique digital experiences in practical exercises.