Feature Designer: Irina Blok
Meet the talented and funny designer Irina Blok from Only in Silicon Valley. Her take on the tech capital of the world will bring a smile to your face.
Tell us about yourself! Where is your hometown? Where do you live now? Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of design? Any fun facts about yourself?
I am originally from St Petersburg, Russia, but live and work in Silicon Valley. In my spare time, I enjoy working out, traveling, and spending time with my daughter.
Tell us about the space where you do your work. Do you have an official studio or have you carved out a nook in your home?
During the day I work as a designer at Zendesk, and at night and on weekends I love to draw cartoons and work on fun personal projects.
What is your background in art/design? What got you started creating?
In the past 15 years, I have worked for a bunch of companies including Apple, Yahoo, Google, and Adobe. One of my best-known projects was designing the Google Android logo, the first open source logo of its kind.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration in everyday life! It’s everywhere. My Only in Silicon Valley cards are a collection of my personal experiences, cultural nuggets, and some urban legends.
When do you feel you’re most creative? Your least?
I love combining fun and technology! I feel the most creative when I’m not taking myself too seriously.
What are your favorite products to design on Zazzle?
There are too many digital experiences today. I love designing real, tangible products on Zazzle. It’s nice to produce something you can hold in your hands versus just pixels.
If you could wish for one new product on Zazzle, what would it be and why?
It would be awesome to have a fully custom product, something that designers can propose — deeper than a surface design – for example, a custom-shaped mug or jewelry.
What was the very first Zazzle product that you sold?
I believe it was a Valley Speak card.
What are your favorite product types to design on Zazzle?
My favorites are invitations and postcards!
What are your favorite products in your store?
Changing the World Greeting Card
Silicon Valley Commute Greeting Card
Fail Fast, Fail Often Greeting Card
Do you have any advice for new Zazzle Designers?
Have a design idea? Just go for it! Make cool things.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you?
I was a contestant on a reality show ABC’s Shark Tank – Season 1, Episode 5, presenting a collection of fashion surgical masks.
She has a great idea! I can understand what she means since my late husband and I raised our family in Silicon Valley. I especially like her Silicon Valley Commute Time greeting card. Believe it or not there used to be an orchard or two still left in the Bay Area when we moved to Sunnyvale!