Dmitriy is the Head of Production at Epipheo, where he leads multidisciplinary teams in crafting thoughtful, story-driven motion design for global brands and nonprofits. With a background in animation and a deep appreciation for systems thinking, Dmitriy bridges art and operations — building processes that make creative excellence repeatable and sustainable.
How many years have you been a judge?
This is my first year!
What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?
I’m excited to simply take part in Telly’s long tradition of celebrating excellence in video. I learned of the Telly Awards early on in my career — everyone wanted to snag one! So being invited to the judging council this year is definitely one of the top highlights of my career.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first full-time gig was as a motion graphic designer at Pixel Park. I was only the second hire so I had a first row seat to watch my boss, Matt Hoelter, start a studio from scratch. It was a very eye-opening experience. I saw how much work and heart goes into starting a new creative business. Matt did all he could to make sure his business was the best it could possibly be for both clients and employees. It taught me to pursue excellence in the work place and to be considerate of everyone you work with — whether they are clients or coworkers.
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
I’m in front of the screen A LOT! My eyes are starting to pay the price! Some days I dream of being a lumberjack — doing physical exercise for a living in the great outdoors. But then I remember how much I enjoy working from home and having lunch with my family every day :)
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
1. Does it accomplish it’s primary aim? — i.e., if it seeks to inform, does it clearly convey information in a way others can easily grasp?
2. Is it delightful? — i.e., did the team plan for and expertly executed on moments of engaging visuals, movement, sound, etc.?
The reality is seasoned pros can make good (enough) videos with little forethought and effort. But excellent videos? Now those take a lot of work — and most people can feel the difference.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
In my current role at Epipheo, I oversee our teams of directors, designers, animators, music composers and sound designers. It’s also my job to match the right people to the right projects to bring each unique project to life.
I never thought I’d say it, but what I’ve come to love most about my role is working within constraints — whether it’s timelines, budgets, or resources. I enjoy getting scrappy and coming up with creative solutions for various production challenges. Being at a point in my career where I’m no longer making the art, this is how I still get to be creative.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
Working within constraints. Nothing forces me to be more creative than that!
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
My older brother Sergei — you may have seen his Ukramedia tutorials on youtube! I was headed down the fine arts trajectory when I saw Sergei dive into motion graphics. That opened my eyes to the fact that it was actually possible to make a living as an artist.
