Ira Benifand, a 22-year-old designer who lost her hearing at the age of two, is pursuing her creative dreams and defying expectations. Despite her hearing impairment, Ira has become a certified designer and is determined to succeed in her chosen profession. She plans to take orders online and believes her unique perspective will be an asset in the field.

Ira’s journey began in Trekhgorny, Chelyabinsk region, where she grew up in a musical family. After graduating from boarding school No. 10 for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Chelyabinsk, she initially considered becoming a seamstress. However, her mother encouraged her to pursue her artistic talents, leading her to study graphic design at the Sphere College.

At the college, Ira excelled in her studies, utilizing technology such as voice assistants and social networks to overcome communication barriers. Her teacher, Natalia Lisevskaya, praised Ira’s resourcefulness and determination. Lisevskaya has also noted that Ira utilizes AI to help in her studies.

Ira’s talent is evident in her diverse portfolio, which includes packaging designs and rebranding projects. One notable project is a line of packaging for dairy products with unique flavors, featuring a logo that cleverly combines a bee and a cow. She also participated in an international packaging competition with her “Nectar Milk” project and reached the final, demonstrating her skills on a global stage.

As her diploma work, Ira is rebranding a Chelyabinsk barbershop, creating a mascot and design that she hopes will attract more customers. Lisevskaya emphasizes the exceptional motivation of her hard-of-hearing students, highlighting their desire to be self-sufficient and contribute to society. Ira’s story exemplifies this drive and ambition.