About the Programme

Branding
A strong brand is the key to the success of any project. Every day, we encounter countless brands, but only a few become legendary, resonating with potential clients and ultimately increasing demand for the product. Students specializing in "Branding" undertake the tasks ranging from conducting preliminary design research to developing a comprehensive corporate identity. Students learn to view branding from various perspectives, convey brand ideas across different contexts, and focus on both visual language and textual content, becoming highly skilled and sought-after professionals.

Typography and Multi-Page Design
Students design printed publications of various formats: books, magazines, calendars, zines, brochures, and booklets. Starting with the study of fonts and lettering, they progress to creating structural and conceptually developed publications, as well as craft compelling visual narratives.

Motion Design
Students in this specialization gain a comprehensive set of competencies in communication and multimedia design. They master the basics of visual communication, creating corporate identities, multi-page publications, spatial designs, and work on 2D and 3D animations. They learn to work with branding through video and landing page formats.

By the end of the studies, students will be qualified for the positions such as:

• Art Director 

• Web Designer

• Graphic Designer

• Advertising Designer

• Packaging Designer

• Typeface Designer

• Book Designer

• Media Designer

• Motion Designer

First Year: Basic Course
Throughout the first year, students take an intensive course in the "language of design." They learn basic techniques for designing a product while studying key computer design tools, web technologies, animation technologies, and more. The demanding pace, carefully curated curriculum, and mentorship from practicing designers help students achieve significant progress.

Second Year: Advanced Branding Studies
The goal of the second year is to develop students’ conceptual thinking and teamwork and uncover their creative potential. Students refine their skills in branding projects, begin typography studies, and work on multi-page publications. They also delve deeper into the digital environment and begin designing websites and mobile applications.

Third Year: Specializations and Electives
The main goal of the third year is to place students in conditions as close as possible to those of a real design studio. Groups work on briefs from external clients, going through a complete project cycle — from analyzing the brief and generating concepts to presenting their work to clients. This year emphasizes career orientation and introduces students to potential employers.

Fourth Year: Thesis Project
In their final year, students prepare a significant thesis project for the professional and expert community. Working on this project develops students’ qualities as art directors, capable of managing complex creative and technological processes. Simultaneously, students continue to work in design studios, expand their professional portfolios, and master the skills of handling multiple projects at once. Additionally, many fourth-year students gain teaching experience at HSE.

Art Practice / Design Technologies
The "Art Practice" and "Design Technologies" courses are integrated from the first year and applied directly to curatorial projects.

• In "Art Practice," students focus on sketching, illustration, and creating group or personal art projects.
• "Design Technologies" in the first year students master graphic design software. By the second year, they study specialized technologies to expand their professional competencies. In the third year, students choose elective disciplines to explore new directions in design. During the fourth year, students immerse themselves in the professional design environment as part of their practice.

History and Theory of Art and Design
The "History and Theory of Art and Design" course includes lectures on the history of visual arts, architecture, design, photography, cinema, theater, and more. These lectures are mandatory for all undergraduate and graduate students, with each specialization receiving a tailored set of lecture blocks (e.g., the "Communication Design" profile includes a year-long course in graphic design).

Additionally, the HSE Art and Design School regularly hosts open lectures featuring prominent designers, artists, art theorists, and industry professionals. These events are open to students, prospective students, professional designers, and contemporary art enthusiasts.

Admission to the bachelor’s program is determined through a competitive selection procedure based on the level of English proficiency and a creative project assessment.

Creative Project Requirements

When preparing a creative project, applicants must choose one of the program specializations and create a series of works (6 to 12 pieces) based on a single theme, unified by a common concept and consistent visual style.

Applicants are free to choose their project theme, as long as it showcases their creative potential and artistic thinking. The HSE Art and Design School provides suggested themes, but these are not mandatory. If an applicant selects a different topic, their project will still be considered, provided that it maintains cohesion, conceptual depth, and stylistic unity.

Before starting, applicants should select a theme such as: a country, city, school, museum, gallery, exhibition, book, theater, club, concert, factory, airport, nonprofit organization, store, clothing brand, café, or something similar.

Based on the chosen theme, the project can take the form of:

• A poster series

• A set of covers (music, book, or magazine)

• A collection of typographic compositions

• A brand identity

• A packaging series

• Infographics

• Outdoor advertising

Each project must be created specifically for admission to the HSE Art and Design School. Submitting projects that were previously prepared for other university applications, as well as diploma projects from colleges or other educational institutions, is not allowed.