Meet Matvei Lisitsa | Designer & Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matvei Lisitsa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matvei, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
When considering this question within the realm of the design industry, it seems to me that many people are mistaken in thinking that design is solely about creating something beautiful. The truth, however, lies in the fact that design is always about functionality and problem-solving. It’s astounding how much a designer should know and comprehend. Only few contemplate the idea that an artist has to often analyze nature, light from a physics perspective, or that to reach the level of old masters in painting, one must possess anatomy knowledge almost as a medical professional. An intriguing moment occurred when my mentor in concept art, Jama Jurabaev, shared insights about one of his film projects. He emphasized that in crafting the concept, he considered the realism of the objects’ functioning from a physics standpoint. Of course, he reassured us, not every artist needs this knowledge, and in his case, having an engineering background in the past doesn’t negate the fact that often one must ponder, “Will this work?”
So I can say the same about digital design, where frequently you must think as both a client and a business simultaneously. Remembering that you create your projects to assist business and client needs at the same time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since childhood, like all kids, I loved to draw. But once, around the age of 5, I was at my grandmother’s friend’s place, who happened to be an animator. She asked me to draw a dolphin, and afterwards, she told my mom that I had a very steady hand. In our family, there weren’t any creative individuals, but my mom listened and decided to enroll me in an art school. I excelled at drawing, winning school contests, creating posters, and sharing my works on social media. As I grew older, it became more than just a hobby, and i decided to pursue studies at the College of Design and Decorative Arts at the Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry S.G. Stroganov. I enjoyed the atmosphere at our college, and we were given a solid academic foundation. However, the world was changing rapidly, and the educational system struggled to keep up with those shifts. I felt that the knowledge of anatomy, composition, and the fundamentals of painting wouldn’t suffice for my ambitions.
After graduating, I wanted to embrace as many creative fields as technology- driven times offered. I began studying various design areas: UX/UI design, graphic design, motion animation, and 3D. I always aimed to learn slightly more than was required for a given task, which allowed me to stay resourceful and not feel outpaced by technology.
In addition to creative endeavors, I tried my hand in business. My first entrepreneurial experience was co-founding an online shop for custom family portraits with my brother. I primarily handled creative processes and team communication, while other aspects such as finances and marketing felt very indifferent to me. I had a stereotype that creative individuals weren’t suited for business matters. These doubts pushed me to create my own online store on a marketplace—a new challenge for me, which involved supplier search, financial management, logistics, and marketing. Business involves risks, and I truly grasped this when I got involved firsthand. Although the shop didn’t become my main passion, it provided valuable experience that helped me grow as a person and clarified that creativity energizes me. Perhaps in the future, this experience will help me create something at the intersection of business and art.
This was followed by periods of working as a designer in advertising agencies and as an independent freelancer. Yet, I realized that wasn’t quite what I wanted. I love design, problem-solving through creative approaches, but often, you compromise art for trends and business needs. I always wanted to find a field that combined all my knowledge into a coherent whole, where art would hold a significant place. I found this profession in concept art. I’m actively developing in this direction, participating in a forthcoming film franchise, which genuinely brings me joy.
Every artist, much like a person, is unique. I believe that heartfelt work will always remain individual. Consequently, I strive to imbue each piece with genuine passion.
After a series of experiments, I realized that creativity ignites something within me and provides the energy for growth and joy. The saying “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” resonates deeply with me. I think I’ve found that calling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a very versatile person and enjoy living in balance, having a moderate amount of fun, connecting with nature, and finding peace within myself. It’s truly important for me to maintain this equilibrium in everything I do In light of this, my week-long vacation with a friend would probably look like this: We would spend several days exploring the city, visiting museums and cafes in the mornings, and possibly going to the movies or parties in the evenings. However, after these initial days, I would suggest to my friend that we venture out into nature, to the ocean or a national park, like Yosemite, where I’d try to find some time for quick landscape sketches. Yes, I believe this would definitely be an excellent vacation plan for me

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am greatly inspired by y Damien Chazelle’s film “La La Land,” so I’m giving it my shoutout.

Website: matthewfox.art

Instagram: matthewfox.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewfoxart

Twitter: matthewfox_art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matthewfox.arts?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/matthewfoxart Behance: https://www.behance.net/matthewfox_art