Eastern European Design Unites in Kyiv

FEED's mission is to showcase the region's vibrant visual culture and foster integration among its diverse design communities. This year's event in Kyiv was more than just a festival; it was a testament to the power of art to unite and heal. The centerpiece was an extensive international art exhibition at the Mystetskyi Arsenal featuring a stunning array of illustrations, posters, animations and more. This was not just a showcase of individual talent but a curated collection of works from organizations across Europe, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the design world.

One of the most impactful displays was Pictoplasma's ‘’Character Matters: 100 Posters with a Good Cause". This exhibition brought together 100 pieces that used character design as a 'visual voice' to communicate the importance of humanist values. Equally compelling was the official selection of short animations from 'Best of Pictoplasma 2025', which demonstrated the use of characters to convey both technical excellence and emotional depth.

The exhibition also offered a unique insight into the contemporary Czech comics scene with LUSTR Festival's 'Scratchy Lines, Missing Bubbles'. This collection proved that Czech comics are far from conventional, exploring fantasy, surrealism, personal diaries, and reportage. A particular highlight was the generative typography series by Dutch designer Vera van de Seyp, presented by Graphic Matters. Her project, 'Nothing Can Ever Happen Twice', used code to create unique posters inspired by a Wisława Szymborska poem, capturing the transient nature of each moment beautifully.

The festival also featured solo exhibitions by talented artists such as Ana Margarida Matos from Portugal and German illustrator Stephan Dybus. Their multidisciplinary work challenges conventional notions of self-perception, employing a style that is both playful and existentially profound.

On the second day of the festival, the PIC Illustration Conference took place, where leading professionals shared their insights on the craft. Spanish illustrator Jesús Cisneros captivated the audience with his explanation of how drawing and text evolve together through editing and collaboration. Tania Yakunova, a Kyiv-born illustrator now based in London, gave a practical talk on building a sustainable illustration business, which is a vital topic for many artists in the region.
The conference also included an online talk with Zosia Dzierżawska, a Polish illustrator, who shared her experiences in the rapidly changing world of book illustration. Her insights into sustaining a creative practice struck a chord with many attendees. This event provided a valuable platform for these creators to showcase their work and share their strategies for navigating the complex and often challenging professional landscape.

On the third day, the focus shifted to networking, with creative communities exchanging experiences and ideas. Professionals from festivals such as Switzerland's Welformat, Italy's Baba Jaga Fest and France's Le Signe met with their Eastern European counterparts, fostering new collaborations and strengthening existing bonds. The event concluded with workshops and a curated tour, leaving participants feeling inspired and connected.

In the face of ongoing challenges, the Eastern European Design Festival in Kyiv was a powerful statement of solidarity and creative defiance. It was a week where artists from across the continent came together not only to share their work but to support one another, proving that design is more than just aesthetics—it is a tool for communication, a vehicle for resilience, and a foundation for building community. The festival’s success is a testament to the fact that while some things can be disrupted, the human need to create, connect, and celebrate remains unbroken. This event was a beacon of hope, reminding us all that even in the darkest of times, beautiful and meaningful things can emerge. A special round of applause is due to the dedicated team of curators and collaborators whose tireless efforts made this festival a reality: Olena Staranchuk, Anna Sarvira, Oleg Gryshchenko, and Rene Wawrzkiewicz for their curatorial vision, and to Agne Dautartaite Krutule, Laurynas Marciulaitis, Marta Kowalska, and Jan Diehl Michalowski for their essential cooperation. Their collective work transformed an ambitious idea into a powerful and successful event.