Designer Spotlight: Andrea Binski

Andrea Binski is the co-founder and art director of UNIKO™, an award-winning design studio recognized for its innovative approach to branding and website design. Headquartered in London and Miami, UNIKO™ blends minimalist aesthetics with functional, results-driven design. Andrea collaborates with visionary founders to build a reputation for delivering impactful digital solutions that drive business growth and ensure lasting success on a global scale.

Featured Work

I’m excited to share some of our favorite projects from this year! While a few are still in their final stages, they’re approaching the finish line. Once launched, I’ll dive deeper into the insights and stories behind each one, sharing them across our media channels in 2025.

UNIKO™ Portfolio Website

This year, we dedicated a lot of time to our new portfolio website. The projects you take on for yourself often turn out to be the most challenging. There’s no client to satisfy, just your own expectations, which often feel like the toughest standard. It’s a mix of hassle and love. After countless tweaks and plenty of overthinking, I’m happy with how it’s shaping up. There are still a few finishing touches, like adding testimonials and more case studies, but I’m excited to finally share it with the world!

Spectrum Biotechnology

One of my favorite projects this year has been our first biotech website redesign. We created a 3D visualization to illustrate complex storytelling and explain neurobehavioral treatment. Spectrum Biotechnology is a pioneering biotech company focused on cutting-edge ketamine and 5-HT2A therapies for mental health and substance use disorders. The biggest challenge was designing a brain visual that felt scientifically grounded yet approachable, not too realistic or abstract. After the modeling, we experimented with color grading and textures and found a balance that fit perfectly. This project was a fantastic opportunity to push our creative boundaries and discover new capabilities.

BIG Energy Group

We kicked off the year with BIG Energy Group, a project that I feel deeply connected to. We worked on a full redesign to establish a strong, cohesive online presence with a sophisticated corporate look. As a leading UK-based energy procurement and consultancy firm, BIG Energy Group needed a professional website that reflected its core values and addressed the needs of its clients with a functional approach. I led the branding and strategy, while Kris and the team managed the website, interactions, and Webflow development. Having full creative freedom enabled us to deliver a truly premium product that we are all proud of.

NC-Education

I’m passionate about the power of education, which is why I’m excited to introduce NC-Education. The company provides top-tier mentorship and coaching for young, aspiring football players and coaches across the UK. We partnered closely with the founder to create a strong, credible online presence designed to expand their reach and secure partnerships with prominent football clubs like FC Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb, Red Star, and others. The challenge was to build a brand that not only communicates key event details but also simplifies the registration process, all while maintaining a modern, approachable, and innovative image. The result is a professional website that showcases NC-Education’s expertise and positively contributes to the development of the next generation of football talent.

Wandergates

I’m excited to share the creative journey behind Wandergates™, a premium media production company specializing in luxury hotel and resort photography and videography.

The project began with designing the visual identity, a bold yet refined logo inspired by the golden ratio, featuring clean typography and a subtle palm tree to capture the essence of luxury travel. From there, we crafted a modern, user-centric website with custom animations and micro-interactions that enhance engagement without overwhelming the user. Wandergates™ is a true work of art, blending sophistication with a modern, luxurious touch. I’m incredibly proud of the final result.

The cherry on top? Recognition from platforms like Awwwards, CSS Design Awards, CSS Light, Orpetron, Online Design Awards, and others. While these honors are wonderful, seeing this project shine as a jewel in our portfolio is the real reward.

Atelier Architecture Studio

Atelier is an architectural studio dedicated to designing innovative, timeless spaces that seamlessly connect with the natural environment, with a strong focus on sustainability.

We developed a comprehensive brand strategy and built a user-friendly website that enhances the studio’s online presence. The result? A functional website that not only showcases their stunning visuals but is also optimized to improve conversion rates.

PureFund Ventures

Another project is in its early phase, but once again, it’s pushing us to grow and explore new capabilities. PureFund Ventures, specializing in early-stage investments, focuses on frontier technologies in climate tech, including solar, electric mobility, green steel, recycling, water tech, and sustainable food and agriculture. Here’s a sneak peek of a 3D video demo we created from scratch, showcasing the consequences we’re already facing and presenting solutions through green initiatives that can help slow down our carbon footprint. I’m incredibly proud of this video explainer and can’t wait to finalize the project and share more.

Appellation Construction Services

This year, I’ve enjoyed designing big, bold logos, and you can see that reflected in our projects. I’ve always had a passion for industrial design and manufacturing, so years ago, while standing at the Panama Canal and watching the massive vessels pass by, I realized my dream of seeing my logo on a container. With Appellation, I’m one step closer to that vision.

Appellation Construction Services is a US-based union contractor and leading provider of piping solutions across multiple sectors. Working on this project has been incredible. I’ve enjoyed every moment of collaborating with such a great client who trusted our decisions. With the launch just weeks away, we’re proud of how everything has come together.

Evora – EV charger

Evora, a premium EV charger, is still in the early stages of the design process, and we’re not sure it’s ready for presentation yet, but we’re excited to share the homepage concept for now. After finalizing the branding, we dove into website creation. I have to say, this project has really sparked our creative energy. From the 3D product visualizations to drawing inspiration from major competitors in the auto industry, it’s brought us even closer as a team. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but here’s a sneak peek. These are the kinds of projects I dream of working on – products and companies that are driving us toward a more sustainable future.

Background

I began my career as an independent branding and packaging designer over a decade ago, working with clients globally with a chance to partner with well-known brands like Daniel Wellington, GoDaddy, and PeerSpot. My work has been featured in multiple books and publications across the USA, UK, France, Japan, and China, which has been incredibly rewarding.

My journey started in my early 20s while studying management at university. I completed my studies, but I was drawn to something more creative. I met my husband, Kris, back in high school when he was already freelancing as a UI/UX designer. He encouraged me to start designing to earn some extra income, so I took the plunge, initially starting on Elance. After earning my first five-figure income, I transitioned to full-time independent freelancing, working primarily with US and Australian clients. As our client base grew, Kris also saw huge success in his career, and we gradually expanded to collaborate with larger companies.

One of the most defining years of my life was working online while traveling the world. We enjoyed the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle, exploring over 30 countries and living in places like the USA, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Panama. This journey filled our creativity and strengthened our commitment to building a balanced life and career. After years of traveling, we decided to settle down in Dubai, where we’ve been for five years, and right now, it’s an ideal base for our work and family life.

As a natural progression, Kris and I founded UNIKO™ in 2022 to make our partnership official in both life and business. With all the experience we’ve gained together, we’ve completed over 300 projects, and our synergy as a team has been the key to our success. I’m excited to share my story, inspire others in the creative industry to find happiness, and let the right opportunities follow.

Design Philosophy

I always focus on the bigger picture, thinking strategically about each decision to ensure it aligns with a clear objective and a backup plan. Knowing both the goal and the path to achieve it is essential. My design style is a fusion of modern elements with a classic touch, ensuring we don’t push our clients far out of their comfort zone. For me, business goals, purpose, and conversion always come first. It’s my role to define the strategy, conduct core research, and deliver results built to last.

There’s nothing quite like seeing your work in the real world. This year, while in the shopping mall at The Palm Island in Dubai, I spotted a logo I designed years ago, a reminder of the lasting impact of creating something that endures. That’s the difference between designing for trends and crafting something timeless. When a design is functional and truly supports a business, it doesn’t need to be reinvented; it stands as a lasting legacy. Experience is the key to making that happen.

Tools and Techniques

When it comes to tools, I use Figma for design work and Adobe Photoshop for creating mockups. Pinterest and various award sites are my go-to for inspiration, and I’m constantly taking photos or screenshots whenever I come across something that sparks creativity. I also use ChatGPT to generate placeholder content when needed, which is a huge time-saver during projects. For project management, Trello keeps everything organized, while Slack ensures smooth communication within our team. Of course, there are many other tools I use, but these are the key ones that help streamline both my workflow and creative process.

Inspiration

Travel is my greatest source of inspiration. I love refreshing my mind by immersing in new cultures, exploring different countries, and tasting new cuisines. Kris shares my passion through his love for photography, making us a great team again on our creative journeys. Sometimes, we even combine business with pleasure, working with some of the world’s leading luxury hotels like St. Regis, Rosewood, Alila, Anantara, and others. These opportunities not only expand our creativity but also allow us to introduce our daughter to the natural beauties of our world. Beyond travel, I find inspiration in art galleries, industry events, and awards, especially here in Dubai, where well-known brands constantly spark new ideas.

Future Goals

UNIKO™ is slowly growing its online presence, which is exciting for us. We’ve been in the market for two years but really only began operating as a full-fledged company last year, so in many ways, it still feels like the beginning. This year brought us incredible opportunities, and I’m really grateful for the clients who chose UNIKO™ as their trusted partner. Although we’ve had some close calls with major corporate clients and government tenders that didn’t pan out, it’s all part of the journey. My vision is to continue collaborating with forward-thinking leaders, creating designs that not only drive growth but also truly resonate with users, helping to establish UNIKO™ as a recognized name in the design industry. After years of experience, I know this vision is possible, but it requires persistence and lots of hard work.

I’m also passionate about supporting sustainable and green initiatives. Partnering with eco-focused organizations is something I’d love to explore further as we carve out a niche in this area. It’s a bold and somewhat risky direction, but as parents, we feel responsible for making a positive impact. I believe design has the power to create meaningful change, especially when it’s used for a greater purpose.

Final Thoughts

The best advice I could give the next generation is to hold onto the motto: “Don’t give up.” If you truly love what you do, be present, prepared to evolve, and embrace change. Your style, vision, and perspective will shift as you grow, and that’s part of the journey. You’ll find that with every new skill, you’re capable of more than you ever imagined. Just don’t give up.

The path to success isn’t easy. It’s filled with challenges both in your career and personal life. Sometimes, people won’t understand the sacrifices you make, the late nights, or missed events, all in pursuit of your dream. Surround yourself with those who genuinely support you, and distance yourself from those who doubt your vision. You’ll face creative blocks, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Step away, reset, and you’ll find yourself back in the flow, ready to dive into your next big project.