Why are different professions needed in war? Ivan Symanovskyi Head of the design department of the Cultural Landing
Smart Solutions and “Cultural Descent” continue to share inspiring stories of the military personnel involved in the project. In this issue, we will tell the story of Ivan Simonovsky, the head of the design department at Cultural Descent, who voluntarily joined the army at the beginning of the full-scale invasion to defend our country.
Like most people, Ivan’s professional life came to a complete halt during that period. He admits that, at first, he didn’t even consider the possibility of returning to his previous life and work. It seemed that everything had changed so drastically that going back was simply impossible.
From the very first days of the war, Ivan was deployed to combat positions in the Kharkiv region. After being wounded and undergoing rehabilitation, he was offered to join Cultural Descent. By that time, he was ready to accept the offer, although initially, he did not consider anything related to design, as he did not see it as relevant or important during wartime.
“For me, it was obvious that during wartime, I had to be part of the army. But over time, I realized that the greatest impact can be made by working in the field you know best. The experience of military service teaches you the most important thing – understanding how the army operates and how its ‘internal mechanics’ function. Having worked in a traditional military structure, I gained a deeper understanding of the system, which allows me to adapt design processes and my work to its needs. This makes my contribution more effective and valuable,” – Ivan Simonovsky shares.
The army structure has its traditional approaches to everything, including how information is communicated. Often, it is presented in a bureaucratic and complex language, far from ordinary human interaction. This presents a challenge, as it takes significant effort to convey a simple yet crucial idea: regardless of whether it’s a military organization or any other field, it is still about human interaction. The same rules apply as in advertising—information either works or it doesn’t. A message either reaches its audience and resonates with them, or it loses their attention.
According to Ivan, the foundation and most crucial part of Cultural Descent is what it started with—mobile teams working directly with soldiers on the front lines. Another vital aspect of the project is its international outreach. Although still in its early stages, it is rapidly developing, as engaging with foreign audiences is incredibly important for Ukraine.
Ivan firmly believes that effective combat operations cannot take place if soldiers’ psychological and moral well-being is poor, if they feel abandoned, unnecessary, and forgotten by the world and the people in the rear. It is crucial for military personnel to feel seen and supported, knowing they are not left alone with their struggles. Ivan believes that the “Books for the Front” project effectively addresses this issue. This initiative involves military personnel with combat experience who act as a kind of cultural unit—they arrive at the front lines for a short time, fulfill their mission, and return.
In this sense, the mission of Cultural Descent is to create a sense of connection and maintain a bridge between the civilian world and the world of the military. After all, culture is about continuity. If we want to endure as a nation and not fall apart as a society during war or other crises, we must invest in culture, develop it, and support it.
