The story of a designer who turned curiosity into leadership

Before joining magier, Leya had already explored a wide range of roles in the design world from online shops to startup branding. Today, as an Art Director, she leads a creative team and ensures smooth workflows and high-quality design. In this interview, she talks about her journey, her favorite projects, and life in Warsaw.

What’s your journey before magier?

I studied at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology in Warsaw, majoring in graphic design. My first job was managing an online shop. I took photos of car and phone accessories, edited them, and uploaded them to their website. I even designed some panels for them.

After that, I joined a huge corporation with an internal ad agency. I was supporting the Art Director there and wore many hats, from graphic design to copywriting, client communication, and working with developers.

Then I moved into the startup world. My first startup was UK-based and focused on bundling services. I worked as a Creative Designer, kind of the bridge between the marketing team, art direction, and other designers. I pitched and developed new ideas and also tested the feasibility of others.

Later, I joined another tech startup as a Marketing Designer. That experience brought me really close to marketing. I learned about ad strategy, budgeting, and even things like podcast guest outreach. I also worked on some big-format print projects, like 4-meter walls. Then, I joined magier.

What made you choose magier?

I was craving a solid creative team. Most of my roles were in-house or solo, so even when I was part of a team, it was tiny and focused on one brand. I never got that “creative studio” vibe. I often felt like the lone creative voice in a room full of other disciplines.

Joining magier felt like coming home to a real creative environment. I’m not the “alien designer” anymore.

You’re now leading a team of three. What’s your biggest strength as an Art Director?

I see my role as the protector of magier’s creative values in quality, communication, and workflow. It’s my job to make sure our standards stay high and that people feel good working within them.

How do you give and receive feedback?

One thing people often tell me is that I take feedback really well. I don’t get defensive. I’m curious. I want to understand how people think, how they perceive design. I try to approach feedback without emotion and with a genuine interest in what’s behind it. That helps me a lot as an Art Director.

What’s a project you’re most proud of so far?

Definitely the Dexter website redesign. I took over the project as a handover while a teammate was away, and now it's my client. The client was so happy I returned from vacation. They even told me they missed me! It’s a big, ongoing project involving 4–5 people, and the client has been consistently happy. It’s a great reminder that step-by-step progress really works.

What does your day-to-day look like?

I start by checking what our Argentinian designer did overnight. Then I review tickets, work, and client feedback. I compile everything into a shared sheet, leave comments, and make sure everyone’s aligned.

The first half of the day is like Formula 1. Fast and chaotic until lunch. Things calm down in the afternoon, but around 5 PM there might be another rush when people realize they need something before the day ends.

What kind of projects do you love the most?

Branding. I know some people avoid it because it’s deeply personal for clients. It taps into their identity. That can make it emotional, especially when they struggle to articulate what they want.

But I really enjoy that challenge. It’s meaningful work, and I like guiding clients through that process.

How would you describe magier’s culture?

Honestly, it feels like the most natural environment for me. I’ve worked in many international teams, and I love that people at magier come from all over. There’s less bias or cultural assumptions. We build our own shared culture based on who we are, not where we’re from.

One word to describe magier?

Fun. And I mean that in the best way. It’s something I genuinely feel every day.

Does living in Warsaw fuel your creativity?

Yes, especially if you’re into exhibitions and keeping up with what’s happening artistically. But Warsaw is also chaotic in a good way. The city changes constantly. Public transport routes change, roads get “fixed,” and you have to constantly adapt. That randomness sparks creativity. You learn to think on your feet.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I play tennis, usually once a week, but I’m aiming for twice now that I have a sparring partner. I’m also thinking about getting back into horse riding, though the stables are a bit far from the city.

Another hobby of mine is niche perfumes. I wouldn’t call it a “full” hobby because it’s expensive. You research, test, and then maybe spend 200 euros on a bottle. But I love how unique and immersive it is.

What advice would you give to someone joining magier?

Be fun, be chill, but also be proactive and honest. If something’s off, say it. If a brief doesn’t make sense, speak up. We work best when people feel free to communicate openly. So don’t sit in silence. We want people who care enough to raise their voice when something’s not right.

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