This program is designed to train top specialists in the field of creative industries, allowing students to quickly immerse themselves in the profession of designer, build a high-quality portfolio, and gain expertise in the field of project promotion and management. Students work with teachers and curators from leading universities in an online format, accessible from any city in the world.
Although all classes are held remotely, most of them have a synchronous format. This means that the teacher works with students in real time and in a constant dialogue, monitoring progress and providing feedback on each project.This allows maintaining the university atmosphere and facilitating communication between students. Groups are formed based on time zones so that it is convenient for all students to attend classes.
At the end of each training module, students defend their projects in front of a committee of teachers and fellow students—this helps to develop skills in defending their ideas publicly. Defenses are held 4 times a year across all campuses of the HSE Art and Design School. In order to maintain a consistently high quality of education, we form exam boards with faculty members from different campuses, connecting them online.
In the process, students not only gain practical design skills in graphic design, interactive environment design, branding, typography, infographics, packaging design, and multi-page publications, but also experience intensive work in a remote format, develop systemic and conceptual thinking, and enhance their general visual culture.
As a result of the training, graduates of the program earn an international bachelor's degree, a portfolio of high-quality projects in the field of design, and advanced knowledge in marketing and management.
By the end of the studies, students will be qualified for the positions such as:
The discipline "Creative Design"
Students start with a small corporate identity project, then create two series of posters—font and graphic—and then move on to work on designing a space and a multi-page publication, and in the IV module of the first year they create a full-fledged large corporate identity.
The discipline "Design Technologies"
First-year students master all the computer programs they need: vector and raster graphics tools, software for layout of multipage publications, video editing and processing, as well as other tools relevant to a specific profile.
The discipline "History and Theory of Art and Design"
Students receive a powerful theoretical base by studying the main epochs of the formation of painting, sculpture, and architecture from rock carvings to paintings by French post-Impressionists and Art Nouveau style, and also take a course on contemporary art of the XX-XXI centuries.
Sophomores continue to develop in their work with branding.
The discipline "Creative Design"
Students create a consumer brand and a line of packaging for it while getting acquainted with the technological features of packaging production from various materials and exploring the possibilities of using the form factor, a combination of font solutions and illustrations in packaging design. Students also conduct visual research, linking the project theme of the previous modules with the function of a cultural institution: museum, theater, festival, etc., and develop a brand of a real or invented cultural institution.
The discipline "Design Technologies"
Students study web publishing, mobile application design, and the basics of typography.
The discipline "History and Theory of Design"
Students choose two of the most interesting theoretical courses out of more than 20 possible ones for their educational trajectory.
The discipline "Creative Design"
Students create complex projects in the field of branding: a calendar, an accidental font, and also carry out and defend the project according to the real briefings from clients.
Elective disciplines
During the third year, students can choose elective disciplines to try their hand at a new, non-core direction of design, fashion, or contemporary art. These disciplines are the author's courses of the teachers of the HSE Art and Design School. By choosing one of the disciplines, students get the opportunity to work under the guidance of well-known design practitioners who teach at the School, gaining unique knowledge and additional competencies that are not included in the standard curriculum of the program.
The discipline "History and Theory of Design"
Students choose two of the most interesting subjects from the block for each half-year: from the history of advertising tools and fashion theory to the history of video games and modern photography and the history of the medium.
Fourth-year students are working on a thesis project, which should become an independent comprehensive project—not only aggregating all the competencies and knowledge gained during their studies but also noticeable to the industry.
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.
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.
When preparing a creative project, applicants must choose one of the program specializations and create a series of works (6 to 15 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.
All creative projects for the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL must be submitted online. Applicants must upload their projects to a dedicated platform page on the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL website.
Projects can be created using digital tools or hand-crafted. If done manually, they must be scanned or photographed for digital submission. The project should consist of 6 to 15 slides in JPEG format.
A cover image will be generated automatically upon upload. If needed, applicants can include a project description of up to 700 characters.
Links to external resources can be embedded in the slides, but applicants must ensure that the links open correctly in incognito mode. If the admissions committee is unable to access the link, the project will not be reviewed.
Contacts:
On December 12, Natalia Logutova, Deputy Director of the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development, spoke at the Russia – Vietnam: 75 Years of Cooperation forum, delivering a report on global career development in the creative industries. During a roundtable dedicated to best practices in inter-university collaboration, she presented the HSE Creative Global initiative, along with digital tools from the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the Institute for Creative Industries Development that serve as a foundation for international cooperation and the career growth of young professionals.
The flagship competition of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, HSE CREATIVE OPEN, has been included in the calculation system for the RACA National Creativity and Efficiency Rankings for the first time. Starting in 2026, the competition will be counted in the Young segment with a weight of 3 points.
An exclusive international competition invites students of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) in Kuala Lumpur to step beyond the usual academic format and work with a real environmental issue. Participants are invited to create a poster for a documentary film about the sun bear. The main prize is a fully funded trip to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Borneo, while shortlisted works may become part of international merchandise and contribute to wildlife conservation efforts.
Ivan Kulikov, curator of the Communication Design track at the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in St Petersburg, held a series of branding workshops in Vietnam. He introduced participants to the logic of identity systems, demonstrated how agencies develop visual languages for brands, and guided teams through hands-on exercises in typography, modular forms, and logo creation for fictional local products.
On December 9 and 11, the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL opened its annual Great Disorder exhibition, which this year spans two venues — the HSE ART GALLERY at Winzavod and the Ekaterina Cultural Foundation. This year’s project features guest artists from China: faculty and students of the Nanjing University of the Arts. Their works have become an important part of the exhibition and continue the creative dialogue launched in spring at the New Wave show in Nanjing.
On December 12, the HSE University welcomed a delegation from the China Academy of Art — one of the most prestigious creative universities in Asia. The visit built on the dialogue launched in September and reaffirmed the mutual interest in collaboration that had been outlined during the visit of Natalia Logutova, Deputy Director of the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development, to the academy’s campus in Hangzhou.
On December 5, HSE University hosted a delegation from Thammasat University (Thailand) to explore new opportunities for cooperation in education, research, and cultural exchange. The discussions focused on the intersection of creative industries, business education, and digital technologies, as well as on developing formats that would benefit students from both countries.
On November 21, the awards ceremony for DAFES AWARDS 2025 took place at Moscow's Khudozhestvenny Cinema. The prestigious international initiative, organized by the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the DAFES platform, celebrates excellence in design, art, fashion, and creative entrepreneurship. From 1,900 submissions received in the autumn season, the jury selected 22 winning projects. The ceremony attracted 500 guests, including creators, industry experts, partners, and representatives from the creative sector.
On 14 November, the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOOL, together with the French school Intuit Lab and the Central Academy of Fine Artsin Beijing, launched the international competition Culture Mirror — a project in which students from Russia, France, China, India and Brazil explore iconic films from other countries and create contemporary visual and communication brands inspired by them.
For young creatives, contests and exhibitions are often the first step into the professional world — and HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL actively supports students, opening doors to international opportunities. Alisa Lapshina’s journey is one of those success stories. A graduate of the Photography program, she’s now part of the university’s team. Her works were recently featured at the Pingyao International Photography Festival. Alisa shares her impressions from the festival trip, her contest experience, and how art can help you find your voice.
On September 25, the Faculty of Creative Industries at HSE University took another step in building academic ties with China. The delegation visited Xi’an Technological University to discuss future cooperation — from joint programs to a forthcoming memorandum of understanding. Beyond formal talks, the visit was also about exchange and discovery.
On September 29, 2025, HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in Moscow hosted a delegation from the China Academy of Art. The visit continued the dialogue that began earlier this month, when representatives of HSE’s Faculty of Creative Industries traveled to Hangzhou on September 14 to discuss future academic collaboration.
On September 19, the 25th Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP) opened in the city of Pingyao, Shanxi Province, China. The festival featured works by 16 students from the ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, selected through the international student photo competition HSE Creative Open / Photoproject.
On September 15 – 16, 2025, a delegation from HSE University’s Faculty of Creative Industriesvisited the Communication University of Zhejiang (CUZ), touring the Hangzhou and Tongxiang campuses, meeting with university leadership and faculty, reviewing campus infrastructure, and discussing prospects for academic and project-based cooperation.
On September 14, 2025, a delegation from HSE University’s Faculty of Creative Industries met with representatives of the China Academy of Art (CAA) and the CAA Design Museum at the Academy’s Hangzhou campus. This was the first in‑person meeting following CAA professors Shao Wenhuan, Head of the Department of Photography, and Liu Yang, Deputy Head of the Department, serving as jury members for the HSE Creative Open / Photo Project. The visit marked an important step in advancing academic dialogue between the universities.
On July 30, 2025, representatives from HSE University and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA) held a joint meeting to discuss opportunities for collaboration in creative education and cultural exchange. The event took place at the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and was held with the support of the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia.
Over 100 graduates received their higher education diplomas after completing programs in Design and Computer Science & Data Analysis. In total, 117 students took part in the programs, representing various regions of Russia — including the Moscow, Leningrad, Tula, and Novosibirsk regions, Perm Krai, and the Republic of Bashkortostan — as well as four other countries: Kazakhstan, Georgia, Portugal, and the United States.
On July 7, 2025, a delegation from the Communication University of Zhejiang, led by University Council Chair Wei Guotang, visited HSE University. The meeting in the Blue Hall of the Durasov House brought together HSE Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov, Vice Dean Tatiana Rivchun, and representatives of the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development and the HSE Art and Design School.
On May 24, the first-ever DAFES AWARDSceremony took place in Moscow as part of the Telling Stories creative industries festival, organized in collaboration with the DAFES competition platform. The awards featured fourteen categories that brought together young creatives and industry veterans working at the forefront of design, art, and media.
On May 30, 2025, three students from the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL took part in the opening of the “New Wave” Nanjing International Youth Image Exhibition. The exhibition is a curated showcase featuring works by emerging artists from around the world and is organized by the Photography Department of Nanjing University of the Arts.
On May 24, at the Moscow Telling Stories creative industries festival, the HSE CREATIVE OPEN award ceremony took place. Winners of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL's flagship international prize presented their projects across 20 categories — including Packaging Design, Music Video, Conceptual Hotel, and Folk Craft as a Brand.
On May 20, a joint exhibition by Mitya Kharshak, Head of HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in St. Petersburg, and Chinese photographer and professor Yao Lu was officially opened.
As part of International Partners' Week, a student exhibition featuring the winners and finalists of an international poster competition opened in the new building of HSE University – St. Petersburg on Vasilievsky Island. The exhibition was organized by the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL – St. Petersburg in collaboration with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (Indonesia).
While visiting HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in Saint Petersburg, designer Ariel Kotzer gave a lecture and sat down for an interview, sharing his insights on AI’s role in art and design—its potential, limitations, and creative impact.
On October 10, the award ceremony for the winners of the Russian professional competition in the field of creativity, design and advertising ADCR Awards took place. This year, all the prizes in the Graphic Design / Product Design category were taken by our students. In addition, the HSE Art and Design School has once again become the School of the Year, and Leonid Slavin is the tutor of the year!
On October 21, the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL – St. Petersburg, in partnership with Sevkabel Port, invites you to a lecture by Iranian graphic designer Mehdi Saeedi titled Change and Challenges.
The HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in St. Petersburg is stepping up its collaboration with the Liszt Institute (Hungarian Cultural Center), as it’s hosting a public lecture by renowned Hungarian designer László Nagy.
The HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the Moscow City Tourism Committee collaborated on two major projects: the international photo exhibition for BRICS countries “Big Cities in Moscow” and the international short video competition WOWMOSCOW, which was won by Takha Audyarahma from Indonesia. Her video will premiere on August 24 as part of the Moscow International Film Week program.
Indonesian student Takha Audyarahma has been announced as the winner of WOWMOSCOW, the International Short Video Competition about Cities, held as part of the forum and festival Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030. The results were revealed on August 15 during an official ceremony at the Cinema Museum at VDNKh.
The HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL is happy to announce special prizes for the participants of the International Competition of Short Videos about Cities WOWMOSCOW.
The finalists of the WOWMOSCOW International Competition of Short Videos about Cities have been announced. The competition was organized by the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the HSE Art and Design School as part of the forum and festival Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030.
We are pleased to announce that a shortlist has been published for the WOWMOSCOW International Competition of Short Videos about Cities organized by the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the HSE Art and Design School as part of the forum and festival "Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030".
The Moscow City Tourism Committee and HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL invite young directors, animators, cameramen, and other authors working with video to participate in the International Competition of Short Videos about Cities. The contest is organized on the platform of HSE ART&DESIGN SCHOOL and the Institute of Creative Industries Development "Creative City" in the framework of the forum-festival “Forum Moscow 2030 — The Home of the Future”.
On June 28, at the RASKROI space in St. Petersburg, Oded Ezer delivered a lecture focused on his numerous experimental projects, which lie at the intersection of typography and design, biology, and social phenomena.
Mitya Kharshak, Head of HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in Saint Petersburg, presented a lecture on “Branding and Visual Communications of Cultural Institutions” at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.
In April, HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and Russian-Armenian University (RAU) hosted Design Day #2 in Yerevan. The highlight of the event was a public talk moderated by Mitya Kharshak and Igor Gurovich, centered around the theme "Girl Power". Some of the brightest representatives of the contemporary Armenian design scene joined the discussion.
HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and HSE Doctoral School in Arts & Design invite to take part in the international conference «Theories and practices of art and design: sociocultural, economic and political contexts», will be held on April 10-12, 2024.
In this year's edition, the focus of the event centred around the expansive domains of Art and Design, highlighting key disciplines including Animation, Communication, UI/UX, Fashion, Architecture, Interior Design, Media & Mass Communication, and Filmmaking.
Mitya Kharshak, the supervisor of HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL in Saint Petersburg, recently embarked on a visit to India as part of an international delegation from NRU HSE. During this visit, he delivered lectures on branding and visual communications at esteemed institutions such as Subharti University, the Indian Institute of Arts & Design, the UPES School of Design, and LPU.
The results of The Oesol International Typography Award, the first annual typographic award, have been announced. Its shortlist includes the students of HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, St.Petersburg, and Andy Martin, curator.
The new issue of the Projector magazine dedicated to Turkish design will be presented on September 13th in Istanbul by its publisher and editor-in-chief, the head of the HSE School of Design in St. Petersburg, a well-known designer Mitya Kharshak.
Case studies affiliated with the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL were included on the short-list of Dieline Awards 2023. Alumni of the School Nikita Gavrilov introduced Beaky — a conceptual cosmetic brand that reimagines childhood-like bath time. Another work selected by the jury — Foodzilla — pet food packaging designed by the second-year student Zhenya Zhuk.
Misha Nekrasov, a graduate of the Communication Design profile in St. Petersburg, already during his studies managed to work with such brands as BMW, MINI, and the St. Petersburg Motorcycle Center. Now Misha works at the Creative Mind Bureau branding agency. In the interview, he told us about his creative and professional path, the principles of working with clients and gave some advice to young designers.
According to the results of the prestigious world educational rating QS-2021, published on March 4, HSE has improved its position by entering the top 150 world universities in the Art & Design category and becoming the only Russian university listed in it.
A large-scale poster exhibition Poster Every Day is running at Brusnitsyn Arts District, St. Petersburg, until the end of the summer. The project is curated by Anna Gerasimchuk, the graduate of Communication Design. Basic course, HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL.
Fill out this form to request information regarding admission to the Communication Design Online bachelor's program.
National Research University Higher School of Economics is one of Russia’s leading universities. HSE is featured in the majority of authoritative international educational rankings (QS, ARWU, Times Higher Education, U.S. News Best Global Universities Subject).
In addition to being a major scientific hub, HSE serves as a prominent expert platform. Its faculty actively contributes to key expert discussions, serves on numerous academic and advisory boards, and is recognized as a thought leader in areas such as education, social policy, healthcare, demography, labor markets, transportation, public administration, and technological development.
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