Graphic design at SPbU: merging tradition and innovation
The SPbU Graphic Design undergraduate programme has been in existence for nearly 20 years. During this time it has developed a unique character, combining the two decades worth of original methods and techniques in teaching design, emphasis individual approach, and solid academic foundation expected of SPbU.
Anna Nikitina, a practising graphic designer specialising in visual communication and branding, is an experienced educator on the programme, leading design project development courses and final project workshops, and has shared with us what students can expect from the programme and how to excel in it. Wang Dawei, this year’s graduate from Jiangsu Province, China, has agreed to provide a student’s perspective on the educational experience.
How does the programme balance theory and practice, which disciplines are prioritised?
Anna: Practical experience is the cornerstone of education in graphic design — students need to grasp the essence of the profession, its methodologies, and techniques. Aside from practical assignments in the classroom, the programme organically incorporates an internship into the educational process, so the students do not have to worry about that themselves.
However, the blind application of any professional tool is insufficient without a strong foundation in the humanities, without a knowledge of literature, history and philosophy. These areas of knowledge shape the unique worldview necessary for meaningful visual communication, since all visual expression is, at its core, deeply authorial and subjective.
Dawei, how did you find out about this programme and why did you choose it over others?
Dawei: I started specialising in fine arts while still at high school in China, and as my interest in contemporary design far outweighed that of traditional art, I knew I had to choose graphic design as my major.
I happened to learn about St Petersburg University from the news, when President Xi Jinping visited it in 2019. I was left with the impression of an ancient and culturally rich university. My experience here only confirmed that SPbU has professional teachers and a rich artistic atmosphere.
What type of student is the best fit for the programme? What is the expected level of a new student?
Anna: The programme is best suited to students who are capable of conceptual thinking, i.e. those who can identify or formulate the main idea and then accurately translate it into visual language.
Since the introduction of the unified state exam in Russia, the overall level of qualification among Russian students has certainly declined. It used to be that students had to graduate from art school before they could apply to university, where they would go straight into specialisation instead of being introduced to the basics of the profession. But we are working with the situation we have.
The competition for admission, however, is as intense as ever.
What does the application process look like for an international student?
Dawei: The application for the design department requires a portfolio, and I presented my three years’ worth of high school paintings to the admissions committee, along with my four-year study plan. True, the competition was a bit intense; but the main problem for me as a student from China was processing all of the paperwork. If you are not using an intermediary company, you may need at least some help from senior students.
What is the study experience like and what are the Russian language requirements for international students?
Anna: We get as many as two thirds of foreign students per group these days. The majority are from China. In terms of academic performance, we hold foreign students to the same standard as Russian ones.
Knowledge of the Russian language is a prerequisite for enrolment. Although English, like any other foreign language, can expand the possibilities for learning, reading and communication, it will not be of too much use in our programme. You see, the tradition of the Russian school of design can only be taught in Russian; language becomes the scaffolding for thought.
Dawei: It’s true about the foreign students; in my group we had 29 people, mostly from the CIS and China.
Because the courses are progressive in difficulty and the teachers give us a lot of time to adapt to new concepts, I found the progression of the curriculum rather effortless. I also remember that we had a lot of group work. That said, getting an A at St Petersburg University requires both effort and talent.
As far as the language is concerned, the entire educational process is conducted in Russian, and foreign students need at least a B1 level of Russian to be able to complete their studies comfortably. That’s why I first completed a Preparatory Course in St Petersburg.
What does the thesis project for this programme look like?
Anna: A final project, or thesis, is not so much "written", as is usually the case with an undergraduate degree, as it is iteratively developed. Of course, the work will have a theoretical component, but this is secondary to the quality of the project itself in the assessment. Project defences are open to the public and combine a presentation of the project with a defence of its merits to the State Examination Board.
Wang Dawei final project envisioned the new brand identity for the Fourth forum of young writers from Russia and China.
Dawei: My project combined the traditional cultures of China and Russia. It’s true that the graduation thesis combines theory and a graphic design project. The process of writing the thesis itself was complicated, and I had a lot of communication with my teachers and my thesis supervisor, revising the text and the project repeatedly and incorporating my supervisor’s critique. I received a lot of help and support from my supervisor and teachers to finally complete the graduation thesis, which fully reflects the professionalism of the SPbU staff.
What are the future prospects for the graduates? What are the most commonly chosen career paths?
Anna: We produce versatile specialists, so graduates work in a wide range of areas, whether freelance, in design agencies or with long-term clients. Some focus on calligraphy and typography, others develop clothing or jewellery lines, while others turn to digital product development.
Dawei: The majority of graphic design graduates find employment providing design support for modern tech companies. The employment direction for graphic design is broad because, with the improvement in people’s quality of life, the demand for design is also increasing. My personal plan is to continue my studies and pursue a graduate degree. I’ve been accepted into a Master’s programme at St Petersburg University, still in the graphic design major. In the future, I will strive to build a career as a designer. I hope to engage in design work specifically related to cultural interaction between China and Russia and help strengthen communication between the two countries.