Designer Spotlight: Ivan Gorbunov | Codrops

Meet Ivan Gorbunov, a digital designer working worldwide, specializing in crafting minimalistic and elegant interfaces that prioritize simplicity, functionality, and user experience.

By removing unnecessary elements and focusing on clean design, Ivan creates creative, visually pleasing environments that enhance interaction and usability. His approach combines sophisticated aesthetics with seamless usability, ensuring that every detail serves its purpose while maintaining an overall sense of harmony.

In the following, Ivan shares his project highlights and insights with us!

Project Highlights

Manu Bañó

This is my latest project, a redesign of the website of furniture designer Manu Bañó. This project combines a minimalist approach to typography and composition with experiments in animations. I tried to make the grid clean and elegant to match the products featured on the site.

Hein Studio

Hein Studio is one of my latest concepts, developed as a personal research project. This project was probably the longest in development, I studied a lot of different design directions and styles. In the end, the choice fell on minimalism, using bold Sans combined with thin Serif, a clean grid and simple animations.

Audo Redesign

Another personal non-commercial project is the concept of the website of the furniture brand Audo. When I first visited the original website of this brand, I immediately had several ideas on how to redesign the interface. Minimalism was chosen as the style: thin Sans fonts and light lines, adding variety and emphasizing the sophistication and structure of this brand.

Synonym

This is a fairly old project, a small design experiment, conceived and implemented in one evening. In this project I experimented with effects in animations and chose the “page flipping’ and “burn-in’ effect to create the atmosphere of an old and elegant design.

ARH

The initial idea of this concept site was to create a web museum of 3D models. The project is notable because it was my first work with 3D and its subsequent integration with animations and UI/UX. The design was designed with maximum minimalism: no unnecessary elements, all the user’s attention is focused on the 3D models.

Background

I began my career as a front-end developer, but soon discovered a passion for design, which prompted me to explore the field further. I was immediately drawn to minimalist and conceptual design approaches, which I began to develop and refine. I started by creating non-commercial projects for Dribbble, experimenting with various styles, studying the work of prominent designers, and continuously seeking to define my own unique design identity.

Design Philosophy

I’ve always been naturally drawn to minimalism, believing that ‘less is more.’ This philosophy influences much of my design work, as I strive to create clean, impactful designs that prioritize simplicity without sacrificing depth. I focus on blending aesthetics with thoughtful experimentation, ensuring that each project maintains both visual appeal and practical functionality. At the core of my approach, I aim to think strategically, considering not only the visual elements but also the broader context of each project. I approach every design challenge with a fresh perspective, tailoring my solutions to meet the unique needs and goals of each project, while always staying true to my minimalist design principles

Tools

When it comes to design development, Figma is my go-to tool, as it offers versatility and precision. However, I find that some of my best ideas emerge when I step away from the screen. I regularly turn to my sketchbook for creating initial sketches and prototypes, embracing the simplicity of pen and paper. This allows me to focus on the creative process without distractions from technology.

For animations, I rely on After Effects, which gives me the flexibility to bring my designs to life with dynamic motion and fluid transitions.

Inspiration

I strive to draw inspiration from the world around me, recognizing that creativity can stem from almost anything. Fashion, photography, architecture have become rich sources of ideas. When I immerse myself in the mood and energy of these fields, I find that it becomes possible to translate that atmosphere and emotion into my own work.

Goals

My primary goals for the future are to continue refining and evolving my unique style, while consistently pushing the boundaries of my creativity. I aim to work on a diverse range of projects across different design directions, always seeking new challenges and opportunities for growth. Additionally, I’m excited about the prospect of collaborating with talented individuals in the industry, as I believe that working with others fosters innovation and opens doors to fresh perspectives and ideas.

Final Thoughts

Design, to me, is not just a profession—it’s a way of seeing and understanding the world. I’ve always been deeply inspired by those who integrate their craft into every aspect of their lives, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to their work. These are the individuals I regard as true professionals—people who infuse every project with their passion, skill, and vision, creating with a sense of purpose and deliberate intention.