Sonia Kalman - Brand Designer | Creative Strategist - Brand Designer

About

I am a brand designer with over 5 years of experience, creating logos and visual identities for projects of various scales. My main style is minimalism, with clean forms and thoughtful structure, yet I strive to infuse each project with artistic meaning, making the design lively, unique, and reflective of the brand’s identity.

I draw inspiration from calligraphy, lettering, street art, and the visual culture around us — these details help me see branding as a space for emotions, ideas, and experiences.

I also experiment with form and meaning beyond conventional branding: participating in the “Antifragility” creative lab and creating my own porcelain collection allows me to combine professional rigor with creative freedom and explore design as a space for new ideas.

In parallel, I work as a mentor at Duo Sapiens, supporting emerging designers, sharing my experience, and helping them develop their branding skills.

My life is a constant journey of exploration and inspiration. I have lived in Berlin, enjoying its strict urbanism and spirit of freedom; in Mexico City, absorbing the vibrancy and richness of local culture; and in Tel Aviv, experiencing its eclectic energy. I am currently based in Moscow, integrating diverse influences and impressions into my branding work.

Beyond design, I am passionate about languages and cultures — this helps me better understand people and create designs that communicate on a human level. I speak English, German, some Spanish, and Hebrew. In my work, I am responsible, adaptable, and ready for new challenges and experiments.

My goal is to create design that is not only visually appealing but also inspiring, telling the brand’s story and leaving a lasting impact.

Work Experience

Design Mentor

Duo Sapiens

Nov 2024 - Present

Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation

Provided comprehensive mentorship and guidance to emerging designers, fostering their professional growth and enhancing their practical branding skills within a collaborative and inspiring learning environment.

Mentored a cohort of emerging designers, providing personalized feedback and strategic direction to refine their branding skills and project execution.
Developed and delivered engaging workshops on advanced branding techniques, design principles, and effective client communication strategies.
Shared extensive industry experience and best practices, empowering mentees to confidently navigate complex design challenges and build robust professional portfolios.
Cultivated a supportive and inspiring learning environment, facilitating significant skill development and confidence building for future design leaders.

Co-founder, Brand Designer, Communication Designer

Co-founder and Brand Designer at Vorona Branding Agency

Jan 2020 - Present

Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation

Led the end-to-end development of minimalist and art-infused visual identities and logos for a diverse portfolio of clients, ensuring each design authentically reflected brand narratives and strategic objectives across various scales.

Developed and delivered comprehensive brand identity systems, including logos, typography, and color palettes, for numerous projects ranging from emerging startups to established enterprises.
Pioneered a minimalist design approach, integrating clean forms and thoughtful structures to create unique visual languages that significantly enhanced brand recognition and market positioning.
Infused artistic meaning into visual identities by drawing inspiration from calligraphy, lettering, and global visual culture, resulting in designs that evoked specific emotions and memorable experiences.
Collaborated closely with clients to translate complex brand visions into compelling visual narratives, consistently delivering design solutions that were both aesthetically striking and strategically effective.
Managed multiple concurrent design projects, demonstrating exceptional responsibility and adaptability in delivering high-quality visual assets within established timelines and budget parameters.

Projects

Porcelain Collection Creator

Jul 2025 - Present

Conceived, designed, and created a unique porcelain collection, merging professional design principles with personal artistic expression to explore material form, aesthetic meaning, and tangible artistry.

Antihrupkost (Antifragility) Creative Lab Participant

Jul 2025 - Aug 2025

Participated in an intensive creative lab dedicated to exploring experimental design methodologies and pushing artistic boundaries beyond conventional branding, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative expression.

Languages

Hebrew (Basic) , English (Fluent) , German (Conversational) , Spanish (Basic)

Skills

Design & Branding

Visual Identity
Logo Design
Brand Strategy
Design Systems
Typography
Color Theory
Minimalism
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Print Design
Digital Design
Brand Guidelines
UX/UI Principles
Visual Communication

Creative & Artistic

Calligraphy
Lettering
Street Art
Visual Culture
Artistic Expression
Concept Development
Material Design
Design Thinking
Creative Problem Solving
Ideation
Art Integration

Professional & Soft Skills

Mentorship
Cross-Cultural Communication
Project Management
Adaptability
Strategic Planning
Client Collaboration
Research & Analysis
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Global Perspective

Interests

Travel & Culture

Global Cultures
Cultural Immersion
Urbanism
Anthropology
Cross-Cultural Studies

Arts & Crafts

Calligraphy
Lettering
Street Art
Porcelain Art
Sculpture
Artistic Experimentation

Learning & Development

Language Learning
Creative Exploration
Design Experimentation
Continuous Learning