Anastasiia Kharytonova

Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Anastasiia’s career has always been guided by a deep curiosity for storytelling and visual expression. With a master’s degree in Journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and another in Marketing from INSA, Barcelona, she bridges the gap between compelling narratives and strategic design.

Anastasiia began her professional journey in journalism and copywriting before transitioning into design in 2016, working as a freelancer for European and American companies. Over the past eight years, she has built a reputation as a brand designer, crafting logos and visual identities for more than 40 companies — ranging from early-stage startups to established market leaders. Her recent work has focused on helping Y Combinator-backed startups define their visual identities, ensuring that brand strategy and aesthetics work hand in hand.

In August 2024, Anastasiia joined Darien Group as Art Director and has since grown into the role of Director of Design & Production, overseeing the firm's integrated creative and digital production function, including brand design, web design, presentations, development, and project management. Working closely with Charlie, fellow directors, and account managers, she leads a multidisciplinary team, shaping creative direction, maintaining high design standards, and ensuring seamless collaboration across disciplines.

She remains deeply involved in developing design narratives, presenting creative work to clients, and ensuring that every visual identity aligns with strategic goals. What excites her most is seeing how in-depth research, creative exploration, and thoughtful execution come together to create compelling brand experiences that help companies establish and strengthen their presence.

Anastasiia currently lives in Kyiv with her husband and their Bengal cat, Tio — whose name, fittingly, means "dude" in Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys a mix of creative and active pursuits, from movie dubbing and digital collage-making to yoga, bouldering, and singing. For her, travel is the ultimate form of meditation — an opportunity to observe life and gain new perspectives and insights.