Introducing Maksim Lialin Air’s Newest Starter
We are pleased to welcome Maksim Lialin, who has recently joined the team.
Below, Maksim shares a bit about his background, his experience so far and his aspirations for the future.
Inspiration and Early Interest
What first drew you to wayfinding and how did your background prepare you for your role at Air?
“When I visited London as a child, I was really impressed by the tube map, how this massive, complicated underground system gets turned into something so simple and clear. I started reading about how TfL designs their passenger communications and guides people through such a complex network. That’s when I realised wayfinding involves a lot more than just the visual side of things. There’s a lot of research involved, figuring out information structure and hierarchy, and understanding user psychology. This interest stuck with me and eventually led to working with Moscow Metro, where I got hands-on experience with transit maps and station signage. Seeing how people actually navigate these spaces taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t. When I saw the opportunity at Air, it felt perfect for taking this passion to the next level.”
Project Experience and Highlights
Since joining Air, what types of projects have you been most excited to work on so far?
“Most of my work has been on projects in their early stages, where I’ve been helping shape the overall design direction and getting into some product design. These weren’t areas I had much experience with before, but it’s been really good to get stuck in and build up new skills. Everyone’s been encouraging about letting me try things out and see what works.
I’ve also had the chance to work on the Bolton wayfinding map. I’d always wondered how these complex city navigation systems come together, so it was great to actually get involved with one and see the process firsthand.
The best part has been having the freedom to pitch ideas and experiment, even when I’m still learning the ropes. There’s no pressure to play it safe, which is nice when you’re figuring out new territory. Plus, seeing my work actually installed in Bolton, my first UK project that’s gone live, was a pretty good feeling.”
Transition into the Team
How are you finding the transition into the team and our workflow? Has anything surprised you or stood out?
“The transition has been really smooth, mainly because we’re such a small and close-knit team. Everyone’s been incredibly welcoming and helpful, always checking if I have any questions or need help with anything. People take time to explain things properly and show me the ropes.
What’s surprised me most is how relaxed everything is, in the best possible way. There’s no crunch time, no late nights trying to hit impossible deadlines. Everything moves at this calm, steady pace where we actually get things done without the stress.
I’ve also been impressed by the variety of work. There’s always a new project or location to work on, different countries, places, types of design challenges. It keeps things interesting because you’re constantly tackling new problems and learning something different.
We also do loads of social stuff together, celebrating birthdays, going on ‘airscapades’ where someone organises a fun activity for the team once a month. Overall, it’s been a really comfortable place to settle in.”
Creative Process and Inspiration
What tools, methods or sources of inspiration do you rely on when approaching a new wayfinding concept or system?
“I’m still figuring out my process since I’m relatively new to this, but I always try to start by really understanding the place itself. I look at what makes the location special, the architecture, any distinctive visual elements, colour palettes, the general mood or vibe of the space. If the place or country has specific cultural elements, national patterns, or traditional colours that could be incorporated appropriately, I try to research those too. It’s nice when you can reflect the history and character of a place in the wayfinding.
Then I check what the client wants to achieve, what ideas they already have, and if there are any existing signs or wayfinding elements on site that we need to work with or around.
Pinterest is probably my biggest tool for gathering inspiration. I create loads of mood boards with different associations and ideas. I do sketches to work through concepts quickly.
The best part of the process though is bouncing ideas off my colleagues. We’re always sharing work with each other and discussing different approaches. Sometimes the best ideas come from those conversations when someone sees something in your work that you missed or suggests a completely different angle.”
Future Development and Personal Goals
How do you see yourself developing in your role and within the team? What goals have you set for your own growth?
“I see my development happening in a couple of ways. First, continuing to build my skills, getting better at communication, improving technically, and learning from the team and from different projects.
The other part is figuring out what I want to focus on long-term. Right now, I want to get involved in different types of work to understand what I’m naturally drawn to and what I enjoy most. Once I have a clearer sense of that, I’d like to develop a speciality within the team.
I think it’s valuable to have someone who can contribute broadly but also be the go-to person for particular types of projects or approaches. That’s the direction I’m heading, finding that thing I can really become known for.”
Thank you, Maksim, for sharing your experience and reflections. We’re very pleased to have you on the team and look forward to seeing what’s next!
