Design Wings mentors embody the balance of knowledge and experience, the ability to solve problems, and the leadership principles based on professionalism, impartiality, integrity, confidentiality, equality, and collegiality. They will help novice designers and companies connect with each other and will guide them to the final creative output.
The mentors' main tasks:
- To evaluate, shortlist, and bring together the participants of the Design Wings project — novice designers and companies — and work with them to achieve a joint creative outcome;
- To share experience, give advice, and support both the project team and participants in the development and implementation of new design solutions in their respective fields;
- To participate in project training and other activities;
- To evaluate and validate the achievements of project participants and contribute to their final reports;
- Collaborate with the Lithuanian Council for Culture team and other organisations to achieve successful project outcomes.
Meet the mentors of the Design Wings project!
Lukas Ruškys
Visual communication
Lukas Ruškys earned his education at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, in the Department of Design. He has been working in the field of design for 28 years. Throughout his career, Lukas has developed a wide range of projects focused on visual identity, branding, and social advertising—projects that require not only deep design experience but also knowledge of marketing and social psychology.
Lukas considers his most important projects to be the ones that brought the greatest value to the client—or more precisely, to the client’s customers. “I don’t really rank my projects by importance,” he says. “Whatever I’m working on at the moment is the most important. Sometimes even a seemingly small design task can have a significant impact on a client’s business.”
As a returning mentor in the Design Wings project, Lukas shares that mentorship naturally found its way into his professional life years ago—long before he even knew it had a name. “I remember my early career very well and how tough it was,” he recalls. “Everyone around was so busy with their own work that no one had time for what felt like stupid questions. Sure, now we all have access to endless free information, but nothing replaces the emotional comfort of empathetic, one-on-one support.”
Lukas sees Design Wings as an opportunity not only to strengthen his mentoring skills but also to help young designers build confidence as they enter a highly dynamic and demanding job market.
When asked how design can contribute to social impact, Lukas emphasizes that design is one of the most powerful tools for creating meaningful change. “It’s not just about crafting physical or digital objects—design also involves optimizing existing processes or even inventing entirely new ones.”
Lukas’ motto: Make haste slowly.
Designer Vesta Rugilė Nausėdaitė, SP "Techi"
Designer Rugilė Kniazytė, NGO "Senjorų pasaulis"
Designer Agnė Sluckutė, NPO "Domus Solis"
Emilija Užukauskienė
Visual communication
Emilija Užukauskienė earned her Master's degree in Art (Graphic Design) from the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Kaunas Faculty, in 2004. Emilija has 25 years of experience in the field of visual communication.
Key projects she has worked on:
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Packaging design for "Holy Donut" café
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Packaging series for "La Petite Patisserie" bakery
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Creative solutions and design for "Antalis" calendars
Awards received:
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World Brand Design Society Creative Design Awards 2022/23, Silver in the Packaging category
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2nd place in the international NAPA Baltics packaging design competition, Confectionery, Snacks, and Desserts category, 2022
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"Geras Dizainas" competition, Packaging Design Prize, 2022
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A'Design Award, Silver in the Graphics and Visual Communication Design category, 2015-2016
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Diploma in the "Geras Dizainas" competition, 2013
On mentorship, Emilija shares that she resonates with the idea that everyone has something to offer—even if it’s just a small piece of advice or encouragement. By sharing her experiences, Emilija not only helps others take their first steps but also learns to view her own journey from a new perspective.
As for the role of design in social impact, Emilija believes that design shapes the way we see and perceive the world around us. It can raise questions, promote empathy, draw attention to issues, and inspire change.
Emilija’s motto: I am a very black & white person living in a colourful world.
Designer Gita Gajauskienė, JSC"Leonpolio dvaro kooperatyvas"
Designer Darius Odinas, SP "Gerų minčių cechas"
Igor Gubaidulin
User Experience, User Interface (UX/UI) design
Igor Gubaidulin holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in E-Business Management. He designed his first website in 2003, and since then, with only a few breaks, he has been working in the design field for over 20 years. Igor specializes in User Experience (UX) Design.
Throughout his career, Igor has created hundreds of different designs, but two projects stand out the most to him. One is the software design for a smart TV set-top box. "Today, set-top boxes like Apple TV, Android TV, or integrated smart TV systems are commonplace. However, at that time, it was a complete innovation—there were almost no examples or standards to follow. As a result, many solutions had to be created from scratch, which was an exciting challenge," explains the mentor. Another standout project for Igor was the user interface for the State Tax Inspectorate’s income declaration guide. "Every year, more than 1.5 million people in Lithuania file their income tax returns, so my team's work on improving the user experience of this system had a tangible impact on a large portion of society. The improvements we made helped significantly increase user satisfaction with the system and, likely, contributed to smoother tax collection," shares Igor.
Awards received:
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2012: Product of the Year Gold Medal for the graphic TV user interface "IPTV.iQ"
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2012: Finalist in the Connected World.TV Awards
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2013: Certified Usability Analyst of the Month by Human Factors International
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2020: New Bookkeeper Award for the Best Solution for Lithuania, for the Residents' Income Tax Declaration Guide
Regarding the "Dizaino sparnai" project, Igor sees it as a perfect combination: an opportunity to give back to society, contribute to the education of the younger generation, strengthen the importance of design in business and the nonprofit sector, and simultaneously grow personally.
When asked how design can contribute to social impact, Igor believes that design has the power not only to solve problems but also to shape attitudes, change behavior, and reduce social exclusion. Well-thought-out design can make services or information more accessible to the elderly, people with disabilities, or those less familiar with digital technologies. It can help create more inclusive systems, reduce bureaucracy, or even encourage people to make positive changes—from environmental decisions to civic engagement. The more designers see their work as part of a bigger picture, the more real social change we can expect.
Igor's motto: Nothing about users without users.
Designer Agata Kivilšo, SP "Misija E"
Designer Gerda Adiklytė, NPO "Lietuvos etnosporto komitetas"
Vilius Vaičius
Visual communication
Vilius Vaičius holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design from Vilnius Academy of Arts. With a decade of experience in the design field, Vilius’ expertise ranges from graphic design and publishing to user experience and interface design (UX/UI), as well as creating visual identities and design systems for companies. Vilius is the co-founder and CEO of Outer Studio, where he advises businesses on digital communication, UX/UI, and visual solutions. Over the years, his team has developed more than 50 visual identities and over 40 digital projects, working with startups, public sector organizations, and international brands in industries such as SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, medical technologies, education and EdTech, HoReCa, real estate, construction, and engineering. Vilius has worked both as a freelance designer and as a creative director. His experience is further enriched by teaching, mentoring, and his ability to see design as a business tool. “My strength lies in clear processes, strategic thinking, and the ability to create solutions that generate real value,” says Vilius.
Key projects:
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labadiena.eu – Design for an e-commerce store that combines clear structure, smooth user experience, and strong visual character. Significant focus was placed on conversion optimization – from product layout to filtering and browsing logic. The system is scalable, allowing the store to grow while maintaining a cohesive brand image.
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prado.com | rond.io – Ongoing long-term collaboration for six years. Developing the visual identity, communication strategy, and digital solutions to meet the growing business needs. Three interconnected websites were created for different markets, ensuring a unified brand image and localized user experience.
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insuvia.com – Visual identity and website design for an international regulatory compliance service provider. Solutions were focused on building trust, structuring information, and presenting services smoothly to clients in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Regarding mentoring, Vilius emphasizes that it’s important for him to pass on not only technical skills but also a mindset where design is connected to value, not just aesthetics. The Design Wings project is significant for him because it helps to shape a stronger, more mature design community.
Social impact through design, according to Vilius, can be promoted by making information more understandable, services more accessible, and problems more visible. Design can highlight issues that are rarely discussed and offer ways to address them.
Vilius' motto: Form follows function.
Designer Dovilė Bagdonaitė, NGO "Įvairovės edukacijos namai"
Designer Roberta Gaudiešiūtė, NPO "Garstyčios grūdelis"
Edita Tamošiūnienė
Fashion design
Edita Tamošiūnienė holds a Master's degree in Arts and has accumulated 20 years of experience in fashion design. Edita does not single out one specific project as the most important in her career, as she believes that all projects are significant in their own way, depending on the internal satisfaction and external relevance they bring. For Edita, mentorship is primarily about the exchange of experiences. “The Design Wings project is unique because it innovatively combines design education, real business experience, and community building,” she says.
How can design contribute to social impact in society? According to Edita, design not only has the potential but is obligated to address social issues, influence changes in behavior and attitudes, and create innovative solutions.
Edita's motto: Collaboration leads to success.
Designer Artur Ostrowski, NPO "Menų terasa"
Designer Gretė Labanauskaitė, NPO "Unikalus šokis"
Pijus Cicėnas
Visual communication
Pijus Cicėnas holds a Master’s degree in Arts from Vilnius Academy of Arts, with 13 years of experience in the design field. According to Pijus, each project he has worked on has been important and relevant to him in one way or another. Over the course of his 13-year career, he has worked with a wide range of business sectors, including real estate, pharmaceuticals, toys, fashion, construction, engineering, high-tech, and design.
Key Projects:
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Froceth: A 3D illustration project aimed at stem cell cancer prevention. In this project, cells were successfully created and depicted, based on strict scientific and creative principles.
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Ordoline.lt: Developed 3D graphics and animation to build trust through aesthetics, introducing the user to the service provided. The visual storytelling focuses on the balance between naturalness and technology in the context of dental alignment.
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Brolis Sensor Technology: A unique project where 3D graphics were used to represent the company’s new laser technology development in the medical field.
Having been a mentor in the Design Wings project before, Pijus notes that this project is unique because young designers and businesses come together to create new products, and the mentor can advise, observe, and sometimes guide the process to a smoother path. “The first stage of the project (2022-2023) proved how the projects I mentored turned into success stories. It’s rewarding when accumulated experience helps and brings benefits,” Pijus reflects.
How can design contribute to social impact in society? According to Pijus, design creates solutions that can change people’s lives. It not only creates aesthetics but also fosters awareness and educates people by developing more convenient services, sustainable products, or raising awareness of social issues.
Pijus' motto: You will find only what you bring in.
Designer Rokas Juozulynas, NPO „Verslas ar menas“
Designer Emilija Žebuolytė, JSC "BIOK laboratorija"
Kaja Elena Brilė
User Experience, User Interface (UX/UI) design
Kaja Elena Brilė graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) in 2014 and earned a Master's degree in Cognitive Semiotics from Aarhus University in Denmark in 2017. In 2023, she completed a Bachelor's in New Media Arts and the Academia Cum Laude supplementary program at VDU, and also spent a semester studying at the ESAD Art and Design School in Porto, Portugal, through the Erasmus+ program.
Kaja has worked for 6 years in the product field as a designer and product owner. During this time, she collaborated with companies from Europe and Asia, witnessing firsthand how design decisions can create business value, and learning from professionals in Denmark, Portugal, Lithuania, and Hong Kong. Kaja not only works as a digital product designer but is also actively involved in the international startup scene, having participated in hackathons and served as a product design mentor at the Techstars organization. Additionally, she is a lecturer and a freelance consultant. Among her clients and partners are Kesko Senukai Digital, Secure Nordic Payments, SameSystem, Adeoweb, and Happyer.
The most significant project Kaja has worked on is the startup she founded, Olie, where she created a UX testing system that helps solve IT product testing issues faster and more affordably.
Awards:
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2018: Winner of the “Mokslo sriubos” competition
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2022: Winner of the pre-accelerator TechHub established by the Ministry of Economics and Innovation
What draws Kaja to mentorship? "I experienced quite a significant shock transitioning from the academic design environment to the aggressive business world and realized how different they are – like day and night!" Kaja explains. She also noticed the difference between Denmark, a global design leader, and Lithuania, which was a few years behind trends. This highlighted the urgent need for people capable of quickly and productively solving real business problems through design. "When I started, I really lacked positive and supportive people in my career. Now in Lithuania, I see a growing interest in the UX/UI design profession and its benefits, which allows me to help our companies and young designers stay in step with global trends, with confidence, not fear of not meeting expectations," she reveals. By sharing her knowledge, Kaja learns from the thinking and ideas of others, and for her as a designer, this is a gift.
Kaja's motto: There are no bad users, only bad design.
Designer Evita Stepulytė, SP "Syvas"
Designer Paulina Galinytė, NPO "Žaliasis kursas"