Rising Stars: Meet Nelli Kamaeva of Perry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelli Kamaeva

Hi Nelli, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as a designer is deeply rooted in both structure and creativity. I began my career as a mathematician and programmer, working in a world of precision and rules, but over time, I realized I was losing myself. That’s when I found my way into design, a field that allowed me to explore new creative territories. For over 10 years now, I’ve been an interface designer, currently the Lead Designer at a fintech startup. My work is systematic and grounded, but posters became my way to experience creative freedom — a place where I could let go of traditional design rules and immerse myself in a world of magic, expression, and experimentation.
I started creating posters as a way to relax and battle my inner critic, pushing myself to embrace the unknown. Over time, what began as a creative outlet grew into something much more. My posters have received international recognition, earning awards and being selected for major poster competitions across the globe. My artistic journey has taken me from the digital world into handcrafted techniques — screen printing, collage, wild typography, and even incorporating 3D and 4D elements. This blending of techniques has become a signature of my unique style.
In 2023, I won the Gold Award at Poster Stellars in the US, a prestigious event that celebrates the best in poster art. My work has also been featured in other significant competitions and biennales, including the UNOVIS Biennale in Belarus, PosterBI and the Oesol International Typography Awards in Korea, where I was honored with the SANDOLL PRIZE and multiple Honorable Mentions. I’ve participated in over 20 international competitions, with selections from Graphis in the US, We Want Jazz and Lublin in Poland, COW in Ukraine, and exhibitions across Spain, China, Peru, and more.
Los Angeles, for example, is a city with a unique graphic design culture, and my poster wes exhibited there through participation in competitions. I have always been fascinated by how design in that city becomes a tool for creating something much more than just visual communication — it’s a kind of magic. It’s also where PosterTerritory is based, a platform that promotes poster art and organizes festivals. Their founder, Olga Severina, is part of the Advisory Board of the International Poster Biennial in the US (USIPB). I’ve also been influenced by the works of Peter Bankov, who has had a significant impact on my creative direction.
I don’t just make posters for art’s sake. I create them for museums, bars, DJs, books, parties — anywhere that needs a non-standard, bold approach and where I can have fun and let go of traditional design rules. Of course, that freedom aligns with the purpose of the event.
I love to learn and explore, and I attend almost every poster-related course I can find. One of my favorite courses was an art direction class at Typomania School in Israel, where we were taught how to work in groups under real-world conditions. During one course, we had to create posters in unfamiliar languages. I became so captivated by this challenge that most of the posters I made during that time ended up winning awards, being selected for competitions, or exhibited at major international biennials
What started as a side project turned into something that resonates across borders and cultures, shaping how people view posters as an art form. My posters have been displayed in various places, from small cafes and hotels in Tbilisi to international exhibitions. Each piece serves as an immersive experience where viewers can feel the magic and boldness that drive my creative vision.
My process is fueled by curiosity and a desire to make an impact. Through this work, I have not only transformed my own creative path but also contributed to reshaping the poster industry, demonstrating that posters can be both artistic and functional, wild yet meaningful.
Throughout my life, I’ve also been passionate about learning languages. I’ve always dreamed of being a polyglot, but time has been limited, so I usually study about three languages simultaneously — right now, it’s Serbian, Georgian, and Tatar. When I started learning Georgian, I realized that there was a shortage of grammar resources, and my brain couldn’t handle memorizing long verb lists in non-Latin scripts. That’s when I started designing a language learning notebook, which I later tested on other learners. This project was a merging of my two passions — design (both structural and visual) and language learning. I sketched the cover while taking a Georgian calligraphy course, and the vector was created by the incredibly talented letterer Tamara Arkatova.
Now I’ve created a small community where we gather online and, in a slow, relaxed mode, learn to read in 12 different languages and using cheatsheets that I am designing. I design the presentations and materials for our club, and I enjoy refining them based on the feedback I receive from our members, improving the learning process to make it more engaging and effective.
Every step of this journey has helped me find stability, but at the same time, it’s brought a sense of magic to everything I do — whether it’s in posters or language learning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the most significant hurdles I faced was my inner critic. As I transitioned from a career in mathematics and programming to design, I constantly battled feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.

Every time I created a poster or ventured into a new design project, that voice in my head would question my abilities, urging me to play it safe and stick to conventional design rules. This fear of failure and the unknown often held me back from fully embracing my creativity.

Despite these challenges, I managed to push through and progress. I learned to silence that inner critic, recognizing it as a natural part of the creative process rather than a truth. Each step I took, whether it was submitting my work to competitions or experimenting with new styles, became a victory that built my confidence. Over time, I transformed those fears into motivation, allowing my passion for design to shine through in my work.

Ultimately, facing these struggles has not only shaped my journey but has also fueled my growth as a designer and poster artist.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a multidisciplinary poster artist and lead product/UX designer with over 10 years of experience, I specialize in creating visually impactful designs that challenge traditional boundaries. I am known for my unique style, which combines digital art with handcrafted techniques like screen printing and collage, often incorporating bold typography and 3D elements.
These accolades reflect not just my artistic vision but also my commitment to pushing the envelope in poster design, using my art to inspire and create conversations.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I often create my posters in a spontaneous and intuitive way, relying more on chance and the beauty of mistakes than on strict rules or logic. I try to listen carefully to what the world is saying, staying alert and receptive to inspiration from my surroundings. This approach allows me to embrace unpredictability and find unique expressions in my art, which sets my work apart and fosters a deeper connection with those who experience it.

Pricing:

• $200 for a poster
• $2000 for a poster with a creative website for an event

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zaap.bio/nellikam
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbilisi_posters/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nellykamaeva/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/helly_kam
• Other: https://paralang.framer.ai/

Image Credits
Tamara Arkatova, Shrouk Abdelaziz, Elena Korshunova, hatchupstudio, Katia Bligh, Sevodneva Stasia, Lil Ann, Viktor Tyapkov, Slepushkina Elen, Darya Shelby