Ultra.
Based in Ukraine, Kudos is a marketplace for streamers and creators founded for the sole-purpose of making your stream look cool, hassle-free. In this interview, we talk to the team at Kudos about their services, their design process, what sparked their interest in the live streaming industry, and how they can help you take your stream or content creation to the next level!
Tell us about kudos. Who/what is kudos?
Mykola: A team of young folks with a desire to bring beautiful things to this world.
Ivan: A small family, a group of friends, a team that wants to create beautiful things and share them with the world
Yaroslav: A group of peeps who’ll make your stream look cool :)
How long has kudos been making theme packages as kudos?
It is our newborn child. After almost 3 years of making designs exclusively for Streamlabs as Wight Visuals, we’ve decided that it’s the right time to move forward and create Kudos.
Check out Halloween by Kudos.
Why do you have an interest in the live streaming industry?
M: Streaming opens new horizons of communication. Viewers can not only talk but, most importantly, affect what streamers do. I love how it works, such a unique way of interaction.
I: Live streaming helps people connect with their viewers on a much deeper level. I made a couple of good friends on Twitch and Youtube. In fact, I met these two gentlemen just like that! And I want other people to have the same awesome experiences.
Y: This medium is totally disruptive — it gives lots of new possibilities both for creators and viewers and broadens the boundaries of internet communication even further.
What was the moment that made you say to yourself, “I want to be a designer?”
M: I feel like everything I’ve had in my life has led me to this point. Starting from the first floppy disk with Adobe Photoshop installer and ending up meeting Yaroslav. It’s my destiny, haha.
I: I started with game montages, had a ton of fun doing them. I was constantly curious — how can I make some money doing something like this? I was working as a bartender, but I was doing some graphic design work for our local bars on the side. I left my job as a bartender and told myself that I wanted to stop serving drinks and become a designer. I started doing graphic design, later web, and app design. Now I’m looking more into concept art and 3D in general. I’ve been poking Unreal Engine for the last 6 months as well.
Y: More than 10 years ago, when I was still in school, I started making Call Of Duty video edits (I’ve met Mykola and Ivan this way, btw). Years passed, and I found myself losing interest in this hobby. Still, it came out that I’ve acquired lots of valuable skills — that’s how my motion design path started.
Check out Neon Valentine by Kudos.
If there’s anything you could go back and tell yourself before starting out in this industry, what would it be?
M: Don’t overcomplicate.
I: Do more, think less.
Y: Sleep well, eat healthy food, and stay hydrated!
What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of design? Do you have a favorite game?
M: Making music and, of course, gaming. My favorite game is definitely Forza Horizon.
I: Painting, watching F1, and gaming. My favorite game is COD4.
Y: Music Production, DJ’ing. I’ll stick to COD4 as well.
What inspired you to create your own business?
Ability to have freedom in everything we do.
What are your favorite packages you’ve made to date?
Definitely Neon Pixel, period.
Check out Neon Pixel by Kudos.
Describe your design process for creating theme packages.
Our process is really simple (but we are very good at it!):
- Come up with a concept
- Sketch it
- Design it
- Animate it
- Deliver it
- ???????
- Done
Check out Pokestream by Kudos.
If you could design a package for any streamer, who would it be?
M: Shroud, deadmau5
I: xWASDMitch, LandoNorris
Y: Snoop Dogg
If you weren’t so damn good at your job, what else would you be doing?
M: Sound design or music production.
I: Gamedev or streaming. Or streaming gamedev, ’cause why not! :)
Y: Producing music, DJ’ing, running my vinyl label, organizing parties and festivals
If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be and why?
M: Marketing is a pretty helpful skill. I understand basic concepts, but most of the job is on Yaroslav and Polina’s (our marketing expert) shoulders.
I: Engineering — I have a secret passion for tech and sports cars. I’d probably go work in Formula 1.
Y: Academic music theory — every time I try to learn it, my brain shuts off.
What would you like to do when you retire?
M: Afford my personal castle and live there. I stick to this plan, haha.
I: A countryside house with my own automated farm. Traveling around the world and coming back home to take a rest and do some art
Y: Live somewhere in nature and practice yoga every day.
What would you like to be known/remembered for?
M: Huge positive impact on people’s lives. It’s also my main goal in business.
I: I’d love to make the new best competitive FPS game.
Y: Ain’t for much, but for my honest work.
Do you have any advice for aspiring designers/creatives?
M: Do more projects. Finish more projects. For clients, for yourself, that doesn’t matter. Just practice and finish.
I: Sometimes, done is better than perfect. Be a team player.
Y: Develop your soft skills — empathy, active listening, flexibility, etc., and don’t forget about the work/life balance.
Follow Kudos on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and don’t forget to check out all of the overlays they have to offer on their website or the Streamlabs overlay theme Library.