In contemporary design education, the professional training of future specialists is impossible without research activities that combine creative exploration with the scholarly analysis of current cultural and visual trends. Such an environment for student development is provided by the scientific club “Graphic Design in the Visual Culture of the 20th–21st Centuries,” which operates within the Department of Graphic Design at the Faculty of Design of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD).

During the 2025–2026 academic year, the club brought together 12 students who, under the supervision of Professor Olha Yezhova and Dr. Liliia Zhuravel-Zmieieva, explored contemporary trends in graphic design, participated in international scientific conferences, exhibitions, and competitions, published the results of their research, and presented creative projects. During the reporting period, six club meetings were held, where participants discussed research findings, prepared conference presentations, and improved their skills in presenting academic achievements.

Meeting of the scientific club "Graphic design in the visual culture of the 20th–21st centuries"

The club members pay particular attention to research addressing the challenges faced by Ukraine during wartime, issues of national recovery, and the preservation of cultural heritage. For example, Oleksandra Smirnova investigated the development of a visual identity for the volunteer project “Vidbudova UA” (“Rebuild UA”), dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine. Another socially significant study was conducted by Oleksandra Tytarenko, whose project “Development of a Series of Patriotic Social Posters” received third place at the XXX International Review-Competition of Diploma Projects in Architecture, Construction, Design, and Arts ,which was held at the Lviv Polytechnic on October 6-10, 2025.

Diploma of Oleksandra Tytarenko of the 3rd degree at the XXX International Review-Competition of Diploma Projects in Architecture, Construction, Design, and Arts

A significant area of student research focuses on Ukraine’s cultural heritage as a source of contemporary design solutions. Iryna Mukhina examined the use of cultural heritage in shaping the corporate identity and visual communication tools of the psychological support organization “Svoi” (“Our People”). Marharyta Pekna devoted her research to postmodern transformations of folk motifs in twenty-first-century book graphics, using the design of a book by Olha Kobylianska as a case study. Anastasiia Suprun analyzed the adaptation of ethnic motifs from Crimean Tatar ornamentation in the development of the visual identity of the youth platform “YAÑI AYAT.”

Throughout the academic year, club members actively participated in international scientific events. In October 2025, students discussed the specifics of preparing presentations for the International Conference “Innovation in Education, Science and Business: Challenges and Opportunities,” which was held at KNUTD on November 18, 2025.

In March 2026, club meetings were dedicated to discussing presentation topics for the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Topical Issues of Modern Design,” held on April 9, 2026.

As a result of the club’s research activities, its members published seven scientific articles and several conference abstracts. The publications addressed issues related to visual identity design, contemporary graphic design development, volunteer organization branding, eco-design, minimalism, book graphics, and the use of ethnic motifs in contemporary visual culture. A substantial part of these studies was incorporated into students’ qualification projects devoted to current challenges in graphic design, branding, book design, cultural heritage, social communications, and ecological design.

An important event for the club members was their participation in Science Day activities within the framework of “Science Week at KNUTD – 2026.” On May 12, 2026, students joined the interactive quest “Vectors of Science: The Path of Young Researchers.” Participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of research methodology, teamwork skills, and their ability to find innovative solutions.

Participants of the scientific club with scientific supervisor Liliia Zhuravel-Zmieieva at the interactive quest "Vectors of Science: The Path of Young Researchers"

In May and June 2026, the club members summarized the results of their scientific work for the academic year.

The activities of the scientific club contribute to the professional development of future designers, fostering independent research skills, critical thinking, and creative inquiry. The Department of Graphic Design is proud of its students’ achievements and encourages them to continue their scientific and creative endeavors.

Conference participant certificates

26.06.2026