Ethno-design in contemporary design education: Ukrainian and international experience (with a Case Study of China)

Abstract

Annotation: The article examines the role of ethno-design in contemporary education through a comparison of Ukraine and China. It addresses how to preserve cultural identity while adapting curricula to globalization and the digital era. Ethno-design is defined as a synthesis of traditional cultural elements and innovative project practices that underpins the training of future designers. Although research on design education is expanding, the integration of ethno-design—especially in cross-national, practice-oriented models—remains underexplored. Ukraine ties ethno-design to strengthening national identity and safeguarding heritage amid social and political stress; China translates ancient cultural codes into globally legible design, extending cultural influence. The study employs comparative and curriculum analysis to examine how these approaches are embedded in teaching. Findings show that integrating ethnocultural content tangibly shapes artistic development: paired with modern practices, it nurtures visual culture, imagination, and creative potential. Innovative pedagogies—AR/VR immersion, 3D modeling of artifacts and motifs, and digital labs for folk ornament in graphic design—expand students’ toolkits and deepen ties to tradition. Chinese programs likewise merge heritage with digital tools (e.g., VR for calligraphy, 3D reproduction of ornament on porcelain or silk) to clarify composition and color. Strategically, Ukraine prioritizes identity, cohesion, and heritage preservation under conditions of conflict, whereas China emphasizes cultural communication and soft power for global reach. Ethno-design thus serves as both heritage preservation and a dynamic educational strategy that strengthens creative skills, broadens artistic horizons, and builds intercultural competence—key for graduate competitiveness in a globalized market. Keywords: ethno-design, design education, Ukraine, China, cultural heritage, national identity, AR/VR, 3D modeling, digital laboratories, pedagogical technologies.