Hi! My name is Irina.
I am a graphic designer, calligrapher, and beginner type designer. My passion lies in letters in all forms, and I aim to channel this passion through my work. Having lived in four countries over the past eight years, I have become a highly adaptable person. I enjoy immersing myself in new cultures and thrive in diverse environments.

Professional experiences

Freelance calligrapher (including parental leave)
2017–2024

Crafted bespoke wedding invitations, postcards, tattoo sketches and logotypes.
Practiced calligraphy daily, refining skills and expanding repertoire.
Balanced freelance work with parental leave starting in 2020, maintaining a flexible schedule to manage family responsibilities.

Graphic designer
2016–2017

TASS Russian News Agency
I contributed to major projects by designing engaging social media banners, creating distinctive logos for internal initiatives, and developing visually compelling presentations. I also designed illustrations for landing pages, enhancing the user experience and strengthening the agency’s visual identity across digital platforms.

Junior graphic designer
2014–2016

Kapersky Lab
I worked on designing banners, emails, and landing pages, ensuring consistency with brand guidelines. My role focused on creating visually cohesive digital materials that supported the company’s marketing and communication strategies.

Skills

Awards

Typomania 2014
7th Place Winner – Typographic Video Competition
Out of 69 typographic video submissions, my work placed 7th, showcasing my skills in typography and motion design.

Education

Postgraduate certificate program in Type design
2024–2025

Letterform archive

Type West is the only year-long certificate program in type design on the West Coast. Designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals through evening and weekend classes, Type West provides a supportive and challenging environment to deepen your knowledge of typography and expand your creative skillset with the ability to make your own typefaces.

Master of Graphic Design
2010–2016

Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Design and Applied Arts

Additional training
2018–2023

The Society of Scribes & Illuminators
Correspondence course

Pointed Pen Class
John Stevens

Built-up Capitals
Yves Leterme

Lettering
Olga Pankova

Fraktura
Annikki Rigendinger

Calligraphy Book Workshop
Brody Neuenschwander

Spencerian Workshop
Michael Sull

Calligraphy and lettering

Calligraphy art
Wedding suits
Invitations
Calligraphy compositions
Quotes
Lettering

Typeface Revival - Soft Century

2024

Student Project at Letterform Archive

For this project, I embarked on reviving the classic Century Expanded typeface. My aim was to preserve the historical essence while giving it a fresh, contemporary look. I introduced rounded serifs, a departure from traditional revivals,
to add a soft, tactile quality reminiscent of old printed works.

I named the typeface "Soft Century" to reflect this unique, softened approach. To showcase its versatility, I designed
a specimen booklet using only the Soft Century typeface, highlighting its adaptability across different formats.

This project taught me how to balance the historical authenticity of typefaces with modern design principles, reinforcing my passion for type design.