On April 25, 2024, the Faculty of Design of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design hosted the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference “Topical Issues of Modern Design”. The Department of Graphic Design of KNUTD held a social poster competition “MENTAL HEALTH” among students of higher education institutions and other educational institutions of Ukraine dedicated to supporting the mental health of Ukrainians as part of the Conference. This project is a part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How are you?", created at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, with the support of the World Health Organization in cooperation with the Coordination Center for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and NGO “Barrier-Free”. As part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program, Ukrainians are told about self-help techniques and support for those around them; offer effective mechanisms on how to overcome stress and negative emotions, how to find strength for psychological recovery during the war.

The curator of the competition is Oksana Maznichenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Graphic Design of KNUTD, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. The competition jury included Yevhen Gula, Head of the Department of Graphic Design, Professor; Oksana Maznichenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Graphic Design of KNUTD; Oleksandra Kolisnyk, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor; Kalyna Pashkevych, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Design; Oleksandr Krotevych, PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor of the Department of Graphic Design, member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine; Mykhailo Rudenko, Professor of the Department of Graphic Design, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine; Daria Kurovska, secretary of the competition, assistant of the Department of Graphic Design.

One poster made using various graphic programs in any technique of the author's choice was accepted for consideration. It should be noted that the competition aroused great interest, more than 300 works were submitted. Due to the conditions of a full-scale war in Ukraine, the topic of psychological support for each other is very important.

The competition was supported by young artists, students of educational institutions of Ukraine: Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (supervisors of the students' work: Oksana Maznichenko, Oleksandr Krotevych, Yelizaveta Derevianko, Alla Osadcha, Mykhailo Rudenko, Olha Tereshchenko); Lutsk National Technical University (supervisor: Natalia Skliarenko, Doctor of Art History, Professor); Cherkasy State University of Technology (supervisor: Inna Yakovets, D.A., Professor, Head of the Design Department); Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University (supervisors: Dmytro Avramenko, Candidate of Art Criticism, Associate Professor, Head of the Design Department, Mariia Nazarchuk, Candidate of Art Criticism, Associate Professor, Mariia Yefimova, Candidate of Art Criticism, Associate Professor), Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design (supervisor: Olha Halchynska, PhD, Associate Professor) and others.

The winners were determined in the following nominations: Grand Prix, Best Graphic Poster, Best Motivational Poster, Best Comic Poster, Best Disclosure of an Idea, Best Original Design Solution, Best Informational Poster, Best Non-Standard Approach, Best Technical Execution, Audience Sympathy. The Grand Prix was awarded to student Sofia Kohan (Group BDg5-21, KNUTD) for a series of posters: "Hug a friend", "Place hope", "Life is bright", "You can do it", and "Make a call". The information about the winners of the competition can be found at the  link.

The competition winners were awarded diplomas in electronic format. All the competition participants received certificates for participation. Diplomas and certificates are available at the  link.

Based on the results of the competition, a social poster exhibition was organized. It was open from April 25 to May 10, 2024 in the KNUTD exhibition hall (Building 1, 4th floor).

We sincerely thank all the participants of the competition - the students and their supervisors for the submitted works, for their contribution to supporting the mental health of Ukrainians! We believe in our Victory!

11.05.2024