In a world where speed sets leaders apart, your vision is our blueprint. heartbeat blends the latest in design technology with seasoned insight to not only meet the market but to set new standards.
principle #1
Start from blank slate
Your unique vision sets the groundwork. We begin every project with a fresh perspective and deliberate thought. We won’t ask for references, send sneaky mood boards, or ask for competitors to mimic.
principle #2
Strategic BUT fast
We dive deep into your customers' world from the start, ensuring that every step we take is aligned with their journey and market dynamics. Don't worry — it only takes us a couple of days.
principle #3
Synergy in action
Your project is more than a checklist—it’s a journey towards excellence. We don’t just follow directions; we challenge assumptions and push boundaries together.
Pre-History
heartbeat's story began not in university halls, but on a shared project. Co-founders Dima Lepokhin, a project manager, and Stan Yakusevych, a visual graphic designer, found their paths converging through a mutual gig. Their complementary skills sparked an idea: what if they could create something of their own?
Founding: 3P — Pizza, paint, and possibilities
Our early days were a whirlwind of excitement and naivety. We painted walls, and Stan ordered endless pizzas (his favorites were Rustika and Bolognese). We even created flashy brochures that never brought in a single customer. But who needs customers when you have determination and a real estate agent shouting through your window during important calls?
This period was like "running a business without knowing how to run a business, but still having fun." We dove headfirst into scope creep, worked with friends (for better or worse), and earned more experience than money. But most importantly, we were laying the groundwork for something extraordinary.
SaaS dive-in: Pioneering new tools
This era marked a significant shift for us. We created our own project management tool as a SaaS project, opening up a whole new world of interface design and developer collaboration. It was during this time that we started using Figma — when most people hadn't even heard of it yet.
Suddenly, we weren't just designers; we needed to understand the intricacies of SaaS products and how they're built. It was a time of rapid change, faster processes, and growing pains as our team expanded and adapted to new challenges.
Design system obsession: Documentation is king
The epiphany hit: it doesn't matter how good your design is if it's not well-documented. This realization became our mantra as we dove deep into the world of design systems. We created the Pulse design system blueprint and developed numerous design systems for top startups from Y Combinator and other prestigious incubators, as well as Series B teams.
This period saw our most significant growth and investment. We expanded our team and moved to a new office. We found a way to bridge the gap between design and business, speaking the language of documentation that resonated with founding partners who understood ROI but struggled with design concepts.
Remote era: Resilience in the face of adversity
On 2022, our world was shattered when Russia attacked Ukraine. Our lives were in danger, and our comfortable Odesa office became inaccessible. Uncertainty loomed, but true to our name, heartbeat kept pulsing.
Weekly Monday calls became our lifeline, boosting morale and maintaining connections despite the distance and danger.
This era pushed us to dive deeper into storytelling, recognizing that while design systems are powerful, founders crave something human in their design. We're now focusing on helping clients articulate what they're fighting for alongside their users.
Today, heartbeat combines AI, retail insights, and years of experience to build the best possible solutions. We've proven that creativity and connection can thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances.
From a chance collaboration to remote work realities, our journey is a testament to adaptability, creativity, and the power of human connection in the world of design.
