Denys Putilin
creative director, designer.

Passionate about digital design and coding since my dad bought home our first personal computer in 1999, connected to dial-up Internet. In 2004, I’d already created my first website, driven purely by curiosity and fascination.

In 2008, like many, I ventured into startups. After three pivots in six years, the idea failed, yet the journey was transformative. Multiple iterations honed my skills in web usability and online marketing. Through countless investor pitches and user interviews, I shaped my critical approach to design and refined my ability to craft narratives. Along this journey, I met my future wife.

Amidst the 2014 economic challenges in Ukraine, I joined my father in repositioning his small family business within the architectural sphere. We had to drastically broaden the client base, involving extensive web development, email campaigns, and a holistic service approach. This experience ignited my passion for trust-based marketing, iterative design, and DIY tools like Squarespace and Mailchimp. Building a business appealing to top architects taught me really how thoughtful and considerate design should be.

In 2016, I founded "the blue-eyed barbarian" to share the lessons learned with other small businesses. We crafted visual identities, websites, collaborations, advertising, and social media campaigns, along with producing photoshoots, texts, and printed assets. Amidst this activity, a pivotal question emerged: How could we maximize our impact on the things that matter most for the client’s long-term success?

Driven by this question, I started a research project in 2018, traversing Europe to connect with successful small businesses, learning how they think about marketing, and what helped them get where they are. Upon returning, I recognized a common need for a controlled online presence that encapsulated their narrative. At the same time, I realized the importance of websites remaining flexible and adaptable in the ever-evolving landscape. Many found themselves constrained by custom-built websites, their messaging remaining static.

This realization led me to specialize in packaging my experience into streamlined website development. I could use my intuition for finding and simplifying narratives, and then designing cohesive and thoughtful websites. With Squarespace, I could build one in a matter of weeks, empowering entrepreneurs to continuously shape their narratives independently. Coincidentally, in 2019, Squarespace launched its experts’ program and recognized us as recommended experts.

Remaining at the top of the expert list for five years, I’ve had the privilege of working with the most inspiring, hard-working entrepreneurs. Together, we’ve launched many brands and crafted over 200 websites. I've had the pleasure of collaborating with talented designers, photographers, art directors, and writers helping diverse clients, from a historic winery establishing an online presence to a nonprofit foundation bringing venture capital model to philanthropy. Many of my clients have become cherished friends, and I am committed to supporting them in all their endeavors.