RosNOU graduate wins the competition of International Federation of Translators

In August 2020, the International Federation of Translators (Federation internationale des traducteurs – FIT) announced the results of the annual international poster competition. The competition was timed to coincide with the International Day of Translators. This year, Russia took part in the competition for the first time.

The competition is dedicated to the work of translators in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme of this year's contest is "Finding the Words for a World in Crisis".

In July 2020, Elizaveta won the all-Russian poster competition organized by the Union of Translators of Russia (UTR), and thus received the right to represent Russia in the FIT competition. As a result of winning the international competition, Elizaveta will receive 500 Swiss francs, her work will be published on the official FIT website and social networks, and all FIT member associations will be able to use the poster to design their events dedicated to the celebration of the International Translator's Day (September 30, 2020).

The editors of the RosNOU website talked to Elizaveta about working on the poster, combining the professions of designer and translator, and her plans for the future.

First of all, it was very interesting to participate in the competition, where two areas of my interest are intertwined: design and translation. Secondly, I would like to share my opinion on the crisis that has arisen as a result of the pandemic. The problem has reached a global level and requires the combined efforts of the entire world. I believe that translators play a very important, connecting role, providing communication in this situation.

I became interested in design at the age of 16-17, although I started drawing much earlier. Over the years, I wanted more and more to develop in this field, to design professionally, so in my second year I decided to get professional training at an art school in parallel with studying at the university. I will definitely continue my career in the field of design.

At the moment, I work as a tutor in English and Spanish, while taking orders related to 3D modeling and design, less often - translations. I don't think I will be a translator, as I plan to work as a full-time 3D artist in the future.

At first, I completely focused on the meaning of the words, which, according to the contest conditions, should be reflected in the poster — "Finding the Words for a World in Crisis". Gradually, various images associated with these words began to come to mind, then some clearer ideas, from which I chose the one that was most meaningful to me. Its main essence was that the COVID-19 (like any virus) is a full-fledged world: even if it is small, each element plays its own role, ensuring its functioning. Its protein peplomeres (protrusions) that allow the virus to enter the body's cells reminded me of the inhabitants of this world, who help the virus to enter the world of people and become something much bigger. On the other hand, people around the world also need to come together and help each other to resist the virus, while translators will provide the necessary communication and make their connection even stronger. It took about two days to form this idea, and another day to find a successful composition, choose a color palette, and work out the details. I used a graphic tablet and Photoshop for my work.

Yes, I think it helped a lot because when creating a poster, it was necessary to form an idea based on existing words. During my studies at the university, a lot of time was devoted to understanding and correctly transmitting the meaning of a statement or text. To translate a text, you need to understand its meaning, just as here – to create a design, you need to understand the meaning of what you need to express.

My first thought was that I am on the right track, although initially, I participated in the contest not for the sake of winning, but for the sake of interest, the opportunity to express my idea and get an assessment of my skills.

The same as many others: I faced canceling all events and switching to distance learning and remote work. In general, I personally have nothing serious compared to those who lost their jobs, got sick, and so on, and this did not affect my professional activity much either.