Kote, tell us your field of specialization during your time at ITSTEP Academy and the year of your graduation?
I have always been attracted to professions related to creativity, and after graduating from university I decided to try myself in graphic design. After a little research, I chose IT Academy STEP because of its international image and modern approaches. This is how my almost 3-year journey in the world of graphic design began.
During my studies, I discovered many useful qualities and skills that were hidden within me before. In 2020, I successfully completed my studies and received an official, international Adobe certificate there. Adobe certification has further expanded my employment opportunities and career path.
Where are you working currently and what is your role there? What are your main responsibilities?
Currently I work as an art director at Leavingstone, which is one of the leading communication agencies in Georgia, and not only.
My responsicibilities include cooperation with various Georgian and international brands; visualization of creative concepts; overseeing numerous photo shoots in different styles, and working on interesting commercials.
In the working process I have met many interseting people and working with them is a great pleasure.
I believe I'm exactly where I should be.
Which project are you most proud of?
I love almost every project I have worked on. Working process isn’t always perfect, as there are often challenges, but overcoming those challenges takes you to another level, gives you new skills, and helps you progress.
However, projects concerning the future of our planet hold particular significance depending on their content. All social responsibility projects are a great pleasure, especially the print contests of World Wide Fund for Nature - WWF and Association of Communication Agencies of Georgia - ACAG, where my friends and I took first place, representing the company Saatchi & Saatchi.
What was the role of ITSTEP Academy in your life?
Step was the place, where I learned a whole new profession, despite having a bachelor's degree in business administration.
In addition to learning, I made many friends here, with whom I still work on various projects. Also, I would like to mention the fact that the academy has an internal employment system, which allowed me to apply the theoretical knowledge in practice, to pass on my knowledge to the next generation, and thus to strengthen and improve my skills.
What advice would you give to current students at ITSTEP Academy?
My advice probably would be that if you have genuine passion for something, it's worth pursuing wholeheartedly, but if at any point you find your interest waning, than you should consider changing your field.
Unfortunately, in school, we don’t learn professions that are both profitable and enjoyable. Therefore, take your time to explore more and try as many things as possible.
By the way, Junior IT Academy is exactly where children learn almost every future profession and by the time they finish school, they know exactly which profession is most comforting for them.