Pawel Piekarski
a.k.a. Robotata

About

 

Hi there 👋!

My name is Pawel Piekarski, a.k.a. Robotata (“robota ta” in polish means “this work”). I’ve been working for start-ups of all stages, big brands, single-person passion projects, and agencies, on projects big and small.

I was trained in fine arts and art education in Poland and have been working as a designer, illustrator and animator. Beginning in 2008, I transitioned my focus to product design, which became my life-long passion.

 
 
 

Why Product Design?

  • I love the complexity of it and that it has to be distilled into simple questions with measurable answers,

  • It gives me constant opportunities to combine my expertise in visual arts, psychophysiology of perception, game design and others to add that ‘special something’ to everything I work on,

  • The joy of setting a team up for success, sparking each others’ creativity, and excitement of seeing the energy in the room being channeled to something we all believe in,

  • Research and data as a part of the decision making process.

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“There are no mistakes, just iterations and learnings”
— Pawel P.
 

What makes me special?

  • I’m an emotionally mature optimist, calm even in the middle of the storm

  • I’m solution oriented and creative

  • I have a vast experience in art, illustration, motion and creative processes

  • I’m passionate about patterns and systems as means of productivity

  • I’m gregarious and bring an extra energy to any team

  • I strongly believe in teamwork and culture of respect and accountability

  • I’m an advocate for inclusivity and mentorship

 
 
“Ego is for artists, designers use skills and knowledge.”
— Pawel P.
 
 

What makes me smile?

  • Camping, hiking, spending as much time in nature as possible

  • Cooking and baking: I was able to bake 3 carrot cakes a week pursuing a perfect recipe

  • Creating: sketching, paper toys, pop-up books, cardboard cat castles, crafts

  • Collaborating with people: it’s always an exciting challenge to find ways to inspire people to be best versions of themselves

 
 
““I don’t know” is a perfectly good answer, if combined with “I’ll find out-“”
— Pawel P.
 
 

Skills and Education

I’ve graduated Academy of Arts in Lodz, Poland in 2002.

My professional experience includes: product design, web design, mobile design, game design, interaction design, motion design, illustration, 2D animation, storyboarding, character design. branding, prototyping, wireframing, UX research, visual art, leading projects, establishing styleguides and design and development processes, presenting, mentoring.

Software: all industry standards for 2D design and graphics.

 
 
“Some people use their own quotes. We don’t like those people.”
— Pawel P.
 
 

Awards & Recognition

2019: Appy Award Winner, Brooklyn, NY, The Wing iOS app — for excellence in app design in the Home/Garden/Interior Design/Lifestyle category

2016: Guinness World Record for “Most contributors to a published comic book”, along with other 140 contributors

2012: Parent's Choice Award, Move the turtle app — i was recognized for creating a learning application for programming for kids

2010: Cut & Paste Design contest, Berlin, Germany — Design Live Competition Finalist, 2nd Place

2001: Young Polish Painter of the Year, Poland — finalist of national art contest organized every year by magazine Art&Business.