Vic Costik

Who are you again?

Hi! I’m Vic. My designs have been used in pitches that resulted in a 22+ million funding round and sales calls that attracted several Fortune 500 Companies. I’ve worked through various organizational stages, collaborating closely with stakeholders to optimize design considering operational or technical constraints. I hold an MA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University, a degree focused on interaction and UX design methodologies. I am a Certified Scrum Product Owner — a certification I pursued to facilitate meaningful collaboration between design, product, and development.

How did you become a designer?

Before I was a designer, I worked in museum education. I spent my undergrad studying the ancient world and earned a triple major in Anthropology, Art History, and Archaeological Studies from Oberlin College. I really liked old stuff! I did a dig, interned at The Smithsonian, and ended up working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While working at The Met, I had colleagues working on innovative technology in museums. I loved visiting The Media Lab, a playground for experimental design. I had the opportunity to work with UX Designers employed by the museum and fell in love with design thinking and innovation.

I was inspired. So, I moved to Pittsburgh, PA to pursue my master’s at Carnegie Mellon. I fell in love with Pittsburgh’s community and growing tech scene. Now, I’m proud to call the Rust Belt my home!

What’s your secret backstory?

Design is in my blood. My dad, Greg Costikyan, is a renowned game designer and published author commonly known as Designer X. His essay "I Have No Words & I Must Design" is often included as essential reading in game design curriculum.

I grew up in New York City where my dad founded several startups in the games industry. He would often host his leadership meetings at the family dinner table. These formative experiences have profoundly shaped my approach to design, business strategy, and organizational scaling.

What does your personal life look like?

I’m so thankful to have cultivated a strong village in the Pittsburgh region. My free time includes weekly jam nights with my (far more musically talented) friends, playing drums in a band, cycling, yoga, and cooking up a storm. I occasionally support a few of my friends with small local businesses by helping them sell at farmer’s markets/festivals or advising on branding and marketing.