Meet Oleksandr Levchenko, our talented Senior Product Designer here at Pistachio. In this Q&A, Oleksandr shares his unexpected journey from an HR and economics graduate to discovering a passion for design, starting with a simple idea for embroidered hoodies. Discover what it was like working through power outages in Kyiv, his move to Norway, and why he believes curiosity is the key to being a great product designer. Let’s get to know Oleksandr a little better!
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What has brought you to where you are now?
I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in HR management and economics, meaning on paper, I was never meant to be a product designer. After graduating, I tried merchandising, sales, and a few other jobs, but none of them clicked.
Then I had a business idea: embroidered hoodies. I quickly realized I had zero digital design skills, so I enrolled in a three-month graphic design course. From that moment, I was hooked. I made logotypes, taught myself animation, vector illustration, UX design, and tried to grow my overall skillset while working at a local market in Ukraine. After a year, I landed a remote role at a Danish startup, which then helped me to get a job in a Norwegian media company.
When a former colleague asked if I wanted to join Cybr (now Pistachio), I jumped on the opportunity, working remotely. However, after the war broke out in Ukraine, Kyiv’s rolling blackouts made full-time remote work nearly impossible. I would design by day, then cook dinner in the evening on a camping stove, using a ring light connected to one power bank for visibility and another power bank to maintain my fiber optic internet connection. In March 2024, I moved to Norway to pursue another dream: experiencing what it's like to work onsite in a foreign country. And here I am.
Q: How would you describe your role, and what project stands out as a highlight?
As a Senior Product Designer at a growing startup, I wear many hats. From mapping user flows, crafting UI and motion, even helping sales tighten up a deck. For me, product design is about bridging the gap between business needs and user value. You have to think about profit, but never at the cost of user experience. What I love the most about the role is the execution phase, when all the research, sketches, and wireframes finally come to life. The moment something shifts from idea to reality is what drives me. When I can say, “Yeah, I did a good job,” I feel proud. If I’m not, I will stay up all night thinking about how to make the design better. My highlight project was redesigning the Pistachio website. We had the time and trust to make the site truly stand out. Most cybersecurity platforms visual language is kinda predictable, so we aimed to create something bold, emotional, and human. We pushed creative boundaries rather than simply ticking design boxes. That project meant a lot to me.
Q: In your opinion, what separates a good product designer from a great one?
Curiosity. A great product designer is always exploring, asking questions, and looking for better ways to do things. It’s not just about design skills; you need to understand business, user psychology, technology, and anything else that helps you solve problems better.
Honesty with yourself is crucial, too. You must know where you are strong and where you need to grow. The moment you think you know everything, you stop learning, and that is when your growth ends.
Q: What’s one project that reminded you why great design matters?
In a recent product development workshop, we brought together designers, developers, and product managers to look at the product from different perspectives. Those insights, when someone offers a completely different perspective that changes everything, are the magic. Great design never happens in isolation.
Q: What’s the secret sauce behind how your team works?
Two ingredients: talented people and low friction. We're a relatively small team of skilled people who genuinely care about what we do. We move fast, ask for feedback in real time, and skip the book a slot next week approval mindset. It is collaborative and efficient, surprisingly rare and incredibly valuable.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not making beautiful designs for Pistachio?
Mostly cooking! Since moving to Norway, I’ve really gotten into it. I have also taught design, and although I do not teach now, I still love helping friends and family with branding, presentations, or other visual stuff.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received, or a lesson that has stuck with you?
One great piece of advice is that everything is possible, but within your limits. Push yourself, yes, but don’t ignore your physical or mental boundaries. It is not about doing everything, it’s about doing what is right for you.
Another important lesson I have learned is that nothing matters more than your relationships. As someone from Ukraine, I have seen how fragile life can be, so that lesson feels especially real. Careers, success, awards. It means nothing without your family and loved ones. That is what truly matters.
Q: What’s one thing you hope to do in the next year or so?
Pass the norskprøve, the Norwegian language exam. My goal is to feel comfortable speaking Norwegian so I can better connect with the community here. Language plays a huge role in feeling at home, and I hope to achieve that this year.
Q: If you weren’t working as a product designer, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I’d probably open a cozy café or restaurant, something small and personal where I could cook, serve coffee, and maybe offer a bit of Ukrainian or Norwegian food. You'd be surprised how close these two cuisines actually are. I would love to create a warm space where people come not just for the food, they come for the feeling. Maybe that’s a retirement plan, who knows?
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Oleksandr a little better. Stay tuned as we shine a light on the unique personalities that make our team so great!
