At the beginning of this year, Linkup ST’s calendar filled up not only with product release dates but also with deadlines for submissions to international design awards. For the team, global recognition serves as a key indicator of quality and proof that professionals around the world appreciate their work.
How do international awards influence business growth? And why is the right presentation just as important as a great product? Nataliya Sambir, co-founder and CDO at Linkup ST, shares her insights in an interview with Scroll.media.
This Year’s Highlights: Reverso and the Webby Awards
This year, one of Linkup ST’s standout successes was the Webby Award win for Reverso, a translation app with an audience of over 80 million users.
«We’ve been working on its product design and strategy for more than three years, and this award shows that our collaboration has had a real impact on user experience,» says Nataliya Sambir.
Another project, Code.ua, was also nominated in the same competition. Remarkably, the team’s first-ever Webby submission turned out to be a success.
The Webby Awards, founded in 1996, are one of the most prestigious international honors in the digital space. They are often called «the Internet’s highest award.» The awards are organized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS).
Featured by the App Store
Reverso also earned App of the Day and Editor’s Choice in the App Store as one of the best language learning apps. For users, these recognitions signal quality and highlight the work of the design and product teams behind the app.
Several Red Dots in One Year
We’ve already won eleven Red Dot Awards,» says Nataliya, noting that behind each one are projects of different scales, united by the same commitment to quality.
Among this year’s winners:
- SkinSpotter, an innovative medical app, won in Interface & User Experience Design and Health Solution categories;
- TOTO, an educational project focused on financial literacy, was recognized for its interface;
- GlamdPro, a platform for beauty professionals, won in the Apps category;
- TripPal, a travel planning app, received awards for Interface & User Experience Design and Travel;
- Element-X, a messenger for fast and confidential communication, was recognized in Apps and Business.
The Red Dot Design Award (established in 1955) is one of the world’s most respected design competitions. The jury evaluates innovation, functionality, quality, and the product’s impact on users.
A’Design Award
The company also added four A’Design Awards this year:
- Code.ua received an award in the Web Design category.
- SkinSpotter added two more wins — for Interface Design and Health Innovation.
- SafeTravy, a service for safe travel, was recognized for its social value and innovation.
A’Design Award & Competition is an annual global contest featuring over 100 categories, from product and interface design to architecture and social impact projects.
«We’re genuinely proud of every victory. Behind each one is the synchronized effort of our entire team,» says Sambir. Only about 1.31% of all submissions achieve the same award level as Linkup ST’s projects.
POPDES Recognition
At the end of the year, Nataliya Sambir received an unexpected email.
«At first, I thought it was spam,» she says. «But it turned out to be a message informing me that I’d been included in the POPDES Top Designers list.»
The nomination was anonymous, submitted by members of the International Association of Design (IAD), which includes A’Design Award winners and grand jury members.
«That makes it even more meaningful,» she says. «It shows that our work is valued within the professional community itself.»
How Linkup ST Creates Award-Winning Products
«Most of the projects we submit are just our regular client work — we simply package them properly for submission,» says Sambir. The team doesn’t design specifically for competitions.
Instead, they focus on quality work that naturally stands out. When a project shows potential, they recommend that clients submit it for a prestigious award. «It’s always a win-win,» Nataliya explains. «We gain a strong case for our portfolio, and clients get additional PR and brand visibility.»
Linkup ST’s philosophy centers on quality: a deep understanding of the product, user needs, business logic, and interaction design.
From Spontaneous Wins to a Submission Calendar
In the early years, Linkup ST approached awards more spontaneously, sometimes preparing a case just days before the deadline. According to Natalie, this process was more about enthusiasm and a desire to share than a systematic approach.
Now, the approach is far more strategic. The team plans a submission calendar at the start of each year: which awards to target, where feedback would be most valuable, and which competitions align with their goals. «We analyze which projects fit each award, form a team of a designer and marketer, and work together on the case,» she explains.
She says knowing how to present the work is equally important: communicating its meaning, highlighting the solution, and explaining why the chosen approach matters.
«You only get a few slides or minutes to stand out. We always ask ourselves: what makes this project different, bolder, or deeper than the rest? And how can we convey that clearly and simply?»
What the Jury Looks For
Although each competition has its own criteria, there are common themes: innovation, aesthetics, user experience, clarity, and social impact.
Competitions like the Webby or Red Dot also value social impact and designs that change user behavior. Yet in practice — especially in the final stage — it’s not just the product that matters, but how it’s presented: how clearly the team communicates its value, why it works, and what makes it truly unique.
How to Create Award-Winning Cases — Tips from the Design Director
- Start with a strong idea, not just visuals. The jury values projects that solve real problems, influence behavior, or create new value.
- Highlight the unique concept. Show what makes your solution different — whether it’s a new interface approach or a fresh emotional angle.
- Keep it clear. Simple explanations of complex ideas work best.
- Presentation is 50% of success. Even a great product needs a great story. Linkup ST often creates separate videos for submissions to convey emotion, uniqueness, and use cases more effectively.
How Awards Help the Business
«Awards are a kind of quality index. They’re confirmation that independent international experts have evaluated your work,» says Nataliya.
In client negotiations, awards can be a strong argument, especially when competing with other agencies. Still, Sambir notes, they are not a direct sales driver and cannot replace experience, case studies, or reputation.
What’s Next for the Team?
«We have a few more cases submitted, and results will be announced in about a month — so, no spoilers yet,» smiles Nataliya. The team has never applied to shorter-term competitions like Awwwards or CSS Design Awards, but plans to try.
Having now earned most of the «flagship» honors they once viewed as ambitious goals, Linkup ST keeps its focus on the future. «The biggest challenge,» Sambir concludes, «is to keep moving, sensing changes, and testing new formats — not just to collect logos, but to understand where the industry is headed and continue creating relevant, high-quality products.»
