The Department of Design was established in 1999 as part of the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies. Pursuant to Rector’s Order No. 408 of June 27, 2001, the Department of Design was approved as a degree-granting department in the field of 0202 “Art” under the program 6.020207 “Design” at the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding.

The first head of the Department of Design, from 2001 to 2003, was Oleksandr Vasylovych Danylko, who played a significant role in the creation and development of the “Design” program. In 1988, he established the specialization “Ship Architecture and Design,” which was transformed into the “Design” major in 1999, and in 2001, Oleksandr Vasylovych Danilko, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Associate Professor, became the head of the new Department of Design. O. V. Danilko has been a member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine since 2000 and was awarded the “Veteran of Labor” medal and the “Distinguished Educator of Ukraine” badge. It is worth noting Danilko’s organizational skills, as well as his combination of diverse training in drawing and painting, architecture, and ship design.

From 2003 to 2019, the Department of Design was headed by Serhiy Mykolayovych Pyshnev, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Associate Professor. He was a specialist in the field of architecture and ship design, a corresponding member of the Academy of Technological Sciences of Ukraine, as well as a member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine, an outstanding educator, and the author of numerous scientific and educational works and patents in the fields of ship design and architecture, model-making technology, and ship interior design. In addition to his work at the university, he taught the fundamentals of model-making and ship modeling at the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Technical Creativity for over twenty years. He was professionally involved in the construction of ship models and served as vice president of the All-Ukrainian Federation of Ship Modeling and Ship Model Sports of Ukraine. Under the leadership of S. M. Pyshnev—a skilled and experienced leader—the department developed successfully: the material, technical, and methodological support for the educational process improved, and many exhibitions and presentations were held.

The current head of the department is Oleksandr Vasylovych Matyiko, Honored Artist of Ukraine and associate professor at the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding. O. V. Matyiko is a highly qualified specialist and renowned artist whose creative works are known even beyond Ukraine’s borders; he is a laureate of the Mykola Arkas Regional Award and a member of the Mykolaiv branch of the Union of Artists of Ukraine. Oleksandr Vasylovych is also a lecturer in the preparatory department of the National University of Shipbuilding, devoting significant attention to the preparation of prospective students. He participates in numerous international, Ukrainian, and local art exhibitions. He participated in the design, development, and decoration of the “Civil War Hall” and the “Great Patriotic War Hall” at the regional local history museum “Staroflotski Barracks.”

The department’s primary focus is on training design professionals who combine theoretical and practical multidisciplinary training, are proficient in modern computer software, and fully meet the current demands of the labor market. Over the course of 18 graduating classes, the department has trained more than 300 design professionals who work at companies in Ukraine and other countries as designers of spatial environments and interiors, including technical ship interiors; designers of printed publications and advertising; furniture designers; computer graphics specialists; and experts in other areas of design.

Over the years, the department has been home to renowned artists and design specialists, including: M. A. Ryasnyansky—People’s Artist of Ukraine (2001–2003), Y. A. Makushin (2003–2019)—a renowned sculptor and People’s Artist of Ukraine, O. M. Artym, M. M. Sopilnyak (2000–2004), Pluzhnik G. M. (1999–2018) – renowned Mykolaiv artists, Zaburdaev L. V. (2001–2014) – a specialist in ship interior design, Zolotukhin Y. V. (2005–2016) – member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine, Candidate of Art History. All these specialists have made a significant contribution to the education and training of future designers.

Currently, the faculty of the Department of Design consists of experienced instructors, almost all of whom have practical experience in their field and are members of the Union of Artists or the Union of Designers. They include O. V. Matyiko—Associate Professor at the National University of Culture and Arts, Honored Artist of Ukraine; S. M. Roslyakov—Candidate of Art History, Associate Professor, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine; and I. V. Makushina I. V. – Senior Lecturer, Honored Artist of Ukraine, Bulavitsky I. Ya. – senior lecturer, Honored Artist of Ukraine, and senior lecturers: D. V. Portnov, O. M. Sergienko, L. M. Strukachova, S. I. Chigintsev, O. V. Chigintseva, and lecturer N. V. Danilchenko.

All the instructors are very fond of their students and strive to pass on their many years of experience to them. At the same time, they continue to improve their own professional skills by actively participating in national professional conferences, seminars, and online conferences, as well as art exhibitions and design competitions. As for the restthethe past 5 years, the scientific and methodological work of the department’s faculty has significantly intensified: 8 methodological guidelines have been published, and the electronic database for teaching and methodological materials. The topics for thesis projects have been updated to reflect current labor market demands.

Students in the department are encouraged to participate in design competitions and contests, the All-Ukrainian Student Research Competition, and design projects in collaboration with leading companies.

A conference titled “Current Trends in Naval Architecture and Design” is being held, during which students present research on trends in the development of interiors and exteriors of small vessels, yachts, and cruise ships, and explore new directions in contemporary design as applied to ship interiors.

Under the guidance of Senior Lecturer O. M. Sergienko, students of the department participate in scientific and practical conferences and online conferences for young researchers and students, gaining knowledge in the fields of art history, spatial organization, and color in interior design. Lecturer N. V. Danilchenko supervises student research projects on the topic of “Architecture and Design of Water Transport.”

Senior Lecturer L. M. Strukachova of the Department encourages students to participate in competitions in graphic design, corporate identity, and thematic posters. L. M. Strukachova serves as the project coordinator for initiatives organized by the Department of Design in collaboration with the Mykolaiv City Council, the public organization “Dialog,” and the M. L. Kropyvnytskyi Central City Library. These include the “Mykolaiv City Environmental Readings” project (a Mykolaiv City Council initiative: development of thematic posters), the “Our New School” project (a Mykolaiv City Council project: interior design of city schools as part of bachelor’s thesis projects), the charitable project “Mykolaiv Hospital Clowns” (a project of the “Dialog” public organization: development of a corporate identity), and others. Students of the department always participate with enthusiasm in such events, which give them the opportunity to engage in practical and charitable activities.

Since 2015, the department, in collaboration with the Designers’ Union, has been holding the “Second Life of an Object” design competition with the aim of encouraging students to engage in creative work and develop design skills. Students test their skills as designers, transforming old, forgotten items into designer interior objects. The event is initiated and organized by Senior Lecturer S. I. Chigintsev.

Among the events for students, it is also worth noting the first stage of the All-Ukrainian Design Olympiad held at NUK. The Olympiad is held annually and involves students from all academic years. Following the results of the first stage, exhibitions of student works are held, and the winners of the first stage participate in the second stage of the Olympiad. The organizers of the Olympiad are senior lecturers S. I. Chigintsev and O. V. Chigintseva.

An integral part of the educational process is the field study. Under the guidance of department faculty members O. V. Matyiko, D. V. Portnov, and I. Ya. Bulavitsky, design students master drawing and painting in picturesque locations: the yacht club, the zoo, parks, public gardens, and the city’s historic streets.

Throughout the department’s history, exhibitions of students’ creative work have been held to demonstrate their professional training, as well as the expertise of the faculty members who pass on their experience to the younger generation. The exhibitions are held in the city’s exhibition halls; in recent years, they have taken place at the ARGO Art Center of the National University of Kyiv. These are primarily creative works in drawing, painting, color theory, composition, and graphic design. The best coursework and thesis projects by design students are displayed in the Main Building of the National University of Kyiv.

To encourage students to engage in design work, the department organizes design competitions, such as a contest to create a logo for the Department of Design and competitions for the best design projects for local establishments, among others. The department also hosts meetings with practicing designers, including alumni of the department.

Since 2017, the Department of Design has been organizing the NUO Regional Design Competition for students in grades 9–11 from general education schools, colleges, and vocational schools, providing them with an opportunity to test their creative abilities. The competition is organized and conducted by Senior Lecturer O. M. Sergienko and Lecturer N. V. Danilchenko. Additionally, in collaboration with the NNGI administration and the admissions committee, design master classes for prospective students have been held since 2019. Such events help promote the “Design” major and attract prospective students to study amid competition in the educational services market.

Particular attention is paid to cooperation with other educational institutions—such as Kherson National Technical University—as well as with organizations like the Union of Designers and the Union of Artists of Ukraine; joint conferences, exhibitions, and other events are held.

The department’s administrative staff—Head of the Teaching Resources Office N. V. Danilchenko and Senior Laboratory Assistant N. I. Rodicheva—assist with all matters related to the academic process, the organization of various events, and, more broadly, supporting students in all their endeavors.

In June 2019, an accreditation review was conducted for the 022 “Design” program regarding the training of specialists at the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education. The expert commission concluded that the educational program, the state of teaching and methodological, personnel, material and technical, and informational support, as well as the quality of training and the employment of graduates of the “Environmental Design” educational and professional program under specialty 022 “Design,” specialization 022.03 “Environmental Design” in the field of knowledge 02 “Culture and Art” at the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education comply with the Licensing Conditions for Educational Activities and the State Requirements for the Accreditation of the Field of Study, Major, and Higher Education Institution.

In today’s competitive environment, the Department of Design continues to grow, uphold its established traditions, and set new goals and objectives for the future.