Just Interview #3: Ohuenko

Just News continues the tradition of first-ever public appearances by some of the most notable figures on Telegram. Today, we're lifting the veil on the person behind many of the platform’s visual creations.

Meet @Ohuenko — art director, artist, visionary, and just a fascinating individual.

Before we begin, a special bonus for Ohuenko’s Russian-speaking audience: a full Russian version of this interview is available as well.

• Tell us about your way: how have you started as an artist? Was it love at first sight, or did you try other things and ultimately choose art?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been into creativity. I'd sketch in pen in my school notebooks and draw color portraits at university. Things really changed when a friend of mine, a web programmer, introduced me to a web site with contests for freelance designers. One of my first big wins happened — creating a mascot for VK that guided new users through the platform. In my life I also experimented with poetry, short films, even writing a book — but drawing always kept pulling me back in. From a hobby it became my full-time job.

• Could you describe what your work looks like on a day-to-day basis, and how you approach the creative side of it?

I spend most of my day staring at colorful animated visuals and aiming to make them look cooler. But the real value is working with the most talented people I've ever met. My main everyday goal is to find balance: to avoid perfectionism that burns everyone around including yourself out, while still constantly leveling up the skills and strength.

The Creative Process:

• What inspires you creatively — both within and outside of digital platforms?

Anything genuinely well-made inspires me — games, films, paintings, design. Observation of visual languages helps me create work that feels fresh and relevant. After all, we all appreciate nostalgia and hidden references.

• Tell us more about your artwork process approach: do you ever do sketches on paper, or draw straight away digitally? Do you use AI tools and what do you think of them?

I used to make collages with photo references, build 3D models, even shoot my friend posing to trace over the photos later. Now AI has become a core part of the visualization process. I think, whatever you're at, AI will eventually outperform you at almost everything, both in digital and physical worlds. You'll become useless. Or just a battery in the Matrix. At this point, creating things will only make sense if you genuinely love and enjoy the process itself.

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