Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelli Kamaeva
Hi Nelli, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started with a background in math and education technology, but my passion for visual storytelling led me toward design. Over the years, I transitioned into product design, working on complex challenges in medtech, fintech, and AI. I’ve collaborated with companies like FlowHealth, First Genetics, and Alan AI, where I helped shape user experiences, develop design strategies, and mentor teams.
Beyond product design, I found creative freedom in poster art. It started as an experimental outlet, but over time, my work gained international recognition, earning awards at competitions in Korea, the U.S., and beyond. I approach posters as a playground for ideas — mixing digital and handmade techniques to push boundaries.
I also love exploring new ways to learn, whether through structured teamwork at Typomania School, where I’ve honed my art direction skills, or through language learning experiments like my Lazy Language Club. For me, design, storytelling, and learning are all interconnected — ways to make sense of the world and create something meaningful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been full of twists, challenges, and constant learning.
One of the biggest struggles was finding confidence in my creative work. Coming from a structured, analytical background, I initially approached design with a problem-solving mindset. But when I shifted into more expressive fields like poster design, I had to fight against perfectionism, self-doubt, and the fear of the unknown. Learning to embrace experimentation and imperfection was a long process, but it ultimately made my work stronger and more authentic.
Another challenge has been balancing different areas of my career — product design, poster art, and experimental projects like language learning communities. Each requires a different mindset, and switching between them while maintaining a high standard of work hasn’t always been easy. But over time, I realized that these areas fuel each other rather than compete. My experience in structured design helps me create methodical learning approaches, and my artistic side brings creativity into product work.
On the professional side, working on complex products, especially in medtech and AI, comes with its own set of obstacles — navigating technical constraints, aligning with stakeholders, and ensuring usability in highly specialized fields. But I thrive on solving tough problems, and each challenge has pushed me to grow as a designer and leader.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but I wouldn’t want it to be. The challenges have shaped my approach, strengthened my adaptability, and made each success more meaningful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I see posters as more than just images — they tell stories, spark ideas, and shape culture.
I mix digital and handmade techniques — collage, screen printing, and mixed media—to create bold, unexpected visuals. My works have won awards in Korea, Portugal, Spain, U.S., and beyond. They’ve been exhibited in cities like Los Angeles, where graphic design has a unique voice.
Each poster I make has layers of meaning. Bubble Fish: An Extraterrestrial Delight — which won Gold at the International Poster Competition and the Intercontinental Biennial—plays with surrealism and movement. Space Sound Generator turns cosmic sounds into a visual experience. My Pulp Fiction poster reimagines the film’s chaos inside a crumpled pink suitcase. The Karpman Drama Triangle poster breaks apart typography and faces to show the tension of psychological roles.
My work doesn’t just sit in galleries — it spreads ideas. Winning competitions puts my posters into global conversations about design. Exhibitions bring them into different cultural spaces, where they challenge how people see storytelling in graphic design. Through workshops, I teach designers to think deeper, to push past trends, and to create posters that have something to say.
For me, posters are a way to break patterns. To experiment. To make people stop and think. Whether hanging on a wall, in a book, or on the streets, my posters don’t just decorate spaces — they change them.
Any big plans?
I’m always experimenting, and the future is no exception.
Right now, I’m focused on pushing my poster work even further — exploring new techniques, larger formats, and more immersive storytelling. I want to create posters that don’t just hang on walls but interact with spaces, blending digital and physical mediums in unexpected ways.
I also plan to expand my workshops, bringing more designers into the world of experimental poster-making. I want to show people that posters aren’t just decoration — they shape ideas, start conversations, and leave a mark on culture.
Beyond posters, I’m diving deeper into product design innovation, especially in AI and medtech. I love solving complex problems, and I see a future where intuitive design makes advanced technology feel effortless.
Big changes? Maybe. I like staying open to what comes next. But one thing is certain — I’ll keep creating, experimenting, and pushing boundaries, wherever that leads.
Pricing:
- Custom Poster Design – Starts at $500 (price varies based on complexity and technique)
- Collaboration & Exhibition Requests – Open to discussion
- Online Poster Design Workshop – Starts at $1,500 (customized for teams or events)
- Speaking Engagements / Lectures – Pricing depends on format and duration
- Product & UX Design Consulting – Available for select projects from $60/h (pricing upon request)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://airtap.io/w/NellyKam
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbilisi_posters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nellykamaeva/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelly-kam/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/helly_kam
- Other: https://tbilisi-neli-posters.webflow.io/
Image Credits
Photos were made by my husband and he wants to stay unmentioned
