How Upwork Helped a Product Designer Find Stability

Andrii Kravchenko understands what it means to be resilient. Freelancing on Upwork has allowed him to work and support his family during a global pandemic, war, and eventually relocate to the U.S.

Kravechenko was working in the office as a lead designer in Kyiv, Ukraine, and his life seemed to be on track. He had a stable job, a two-year-old son, and he and his wife were actively planning for the future. Then the global pandemic hit, leading to office shutdowns, mass layoffs, and a brutally competitive job market. 

Suddenly, Kravchenko found himself at a crossroads. He could lower his salary expectations to compete for limited corporate roles or try to become a freelancer. Kravchenko had heard of Upwork before, but was hesitant to make a career change while he had a steady job in the past. 

“When you have a wife and a two-year-old child, you don’t really have the luxury of taking risks. That pressure was heavy. But at the same time, I believed that with persistence, anything was possible. So I decided to give Upwork a try.”

Taking a chance on freelancing

Kravchenko started on Upwork without any freelance experience. He decided to focus on his portfolio at first and highlight his best work from past jobs and personal projects. 

“My main strength was my portfolio. I already had about four years of work experience. I had paintings and a background in art, also. So I completed my profile fully, like 100% and I focused on the portfolio.” 

Landing your first freelance job is often the hardest. Clients want to see positive reviews from other clients to reduce their risk. Kravchenko created a strong portfolio and then started with small projects to build reviews. 

Kravchenko’s first job on Upwork was three illustrations for a children’s book about pirates. Even though the project was small, he did his best work. The client was delighted and gave Kravchenko his first 5-star review. 

“It was funny because my first job was a $25 contract. Not hourly, but fixed price, $25. But I really treated it like $5,000 because it was my first one and I was so excited that I actually got a response from my proposal.” 

Building a reputation

Kravchenko understood the importance of building a reputation on Upwork. He started with a lower hourly rate and went above and beyond to make sure his clients were satisfied with his work, earning him the Rising Talent badge. 

“Treat every project the same with high standards because you don't know where it could lead you eventually.” 

Upwork is a global platform. As a freelancer, you can work remotely with clients from all over the world. Kravchenko had to adjust his schedule to be one of the first to apply for new jobs and work with clients in the U.S. 

Kyiv is seven hours ahead of the East Coast of the U.S. and 10 hours ahead of the West Coast. Kravchenko often had to work late at night to land new contracts and accommodate his clients. 

“I treated it like an investment. Just to get started, I understood that I needed to work hard. Plus, I had a family that relied on me, and they supported me with this challenge. I started to get more clients and increase my rate with each client, and built relationships. So after the first five or six clients, I got my first long-term client.” 

Kravchenko was up late, refreshing his job feed every five minutes (with his wife’s encouragement and help), looking for jobs that fit his skill set. While he was landing new clients, his friends in Kyiv were losing jobs and lowering their salaries to be more competitive. Becoming a freelancer seemed like the right career move. 

Freelancing during a war 

Kravchenko was feeling confident about his career as a freelancer, but then another unpredictable event occurred: war. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with missile strikes. His life changed overnight. Kravchenko and his family hid from rockets, faced power outages, and lived in constant fear. 

During the first six months of the war, Kravchenko was unable to work steadily. All you need as a freelancer is a laptop and WiFi, but the aerial strikes led to blackouts in many areas. Kravchenko was suddenly offline and unable to reach his clients or submit proposals. 

However, Kravchenko’s clients didn’t abandon him. Contracts stayed open, and projects continued. Once he was back online, Kravchenko was able to earn an income again. He worked from wherever he could get internet, and his clients were understanding and didn’t leave him. Kravchenko was able to make money and send it to his wife, who was abroad. 

“I delivered designs from basements and bomb shelters. I worked through blackouts. And every time I logged in, I was reminded that Upwork represented stability in the most unstable times."

Work became a source of stability during the darkness and chaos. Despite what was going on in Kyiv, he kept delivering his best work to clients and grew his business. 

“It was unbelievable for me. It really showed me how this platform really was the right choice for me, at the right time, because during the war, it was impossible to find work on-site, only remote. It was really hard.” 

Upwork has many freelancers in Ukraine. After the war started, Upwork showed support for Ukrainian freelancers by allowing clients to donate to individual freelancers through Project Catalog. Clients can purchase their donation project and send them funds directly. 

Upwork also froze Job Success Scores (JSS) for eligible Ukrainian freelancers. Their JSS can increase, but can’t drop below their score as of February 20, 2022. Ukrainian freelancers have access to expedited hourly payments to get paid faster. 

Kravchenko was pleasantly surprised by how understanding the clients on Upwork were. When he submitted proposals, many clients were happy to work with Ukrainians. One of his clients helped him find a sponsor to help him relocate to the U.S. 

“They had a program in the U.S. called Uniting for Ukraine so Ukrainians can come here. I found it through Upwork. That was amazing, like it was the next chapter. Upwork helped me to relocate my family here. Now we’re in Texas, in Austin.”

Moving to Texas wasn’t like the Western movies he’d seen. Instead of cowboys on horses, in Austin, he found a community that welcomed his family. 

“We met so many people who really support Ukraine, and they were so happy to see us. We came here because many of our friends are here, and there are a lot of people I know.” 

Starting a new chapter 

While Kravchenko and his family were starting over, he continued freelancing on Upwork. He is able to apply now for “U.S only” jobs and keeps growing his business on the platform, client by client. 

Upwork has allowed Kravchenko to work through a pandemic, war, and eventually a relocation of his family out of a warzone to Texas. He’s an Expert-Vetted freelancer and has earned over $500,000 on Upwork. Passing this milestone isn’t just about the money for him — it’s proof of resilience, adaptability, and the opportunities that remote work can bring.

“For me, freelancing isn’t just about income. It’s about freedom, resilience, and the chance to build something lasting — for my family, for my clients, and for communities around the world.

Today, Kravchenko continues working with a global clientele and has opened up his own design company. What began as a leap into freelancing has become a steady, long-term career he can depend on.

“Now, running my own company in the U.S., I know that no matter what happens, I can rely on myself — and on Upwork.”

Kravchenko breaks down the principles that helped him succeed on Upwork: 

• Treat every project seriously. Even the smallest jobs can open doors.
• Keep moving. Don’t wait around for one client — keep applying, keep working.
• Invest in your profile. Badges, certifications, and personalized proposals help you stand out.
• Be proactive. Reach out to support, follow up with clients, and take charge of your growth.

“Upwork has been more than a career shift; it has been a lifeline. From the pandemic to a war to starting over in a new country, the platform has given me independence, stability, and the confidence that no matter what happens, I can provide for my family.” 

If you’re looking for a product designer, Kravchenko is currently taking on new clients. You can invite him to submit a proposal for your next design project.