Irina has had a passion for design since her early days in marketing during college, where she focused on print design. Her career advanced as she worked with European beauty and fashion brands, and later transitioned to the US market, specializing in print, packaging, and web design. With 15 years of experience, Irina is a seasoned creative who loves what she does.Currently at SmartSites, she draws inspiration from the Best Design Awards in her daily work, making it a privilege to now be a jury member. Irina believes that award-winning designs should not only be visually appealing, but also user-friendly, accessible, and relatable to the audience. Her favorite design, Barton G's website, exemplifies these qualities, making a strong impression through its simplicity and ease of use.Irina sees the biggest challenge in design as striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality, while aligning personal preferences with audience expectations. Her advice to aspiring designers is to stay adaptable, informed, and inspired by both current trends and classic design principles.