Design Education in Russia: The Experience of the Master of Design Course Nickolay Garin, Russian Federation Svetlana Usenyuk, Russian Federation Maria Panova, Russian Federation Denis Kukanov, Russian Federation Abstract: Russia is the largest Arctic polycultural country, i.e. the territory of environmental and cul- tural extremes. The issue of comfortable human existence may be solved by creating a ‘New culture’ as an aggregate of adaptive behavior patterns, which could be clearly expressed through the material environment. The main prerequisite for all master’s degree projects is the possibility to change the direction of culture ‘making’: from artifacts to human internal fundamentals. The conceptualization of the Master of Design teaching and learning process has resulted in a methodological sketch of the MD programme. It is based on “Three Pillars”: Art (as Creativity), Science and Technology. In terms of educational tasks they form a “Key-Questions Triad” as follows: 1) Key question: What? The type of activity: Creation. Key role: Artist. 2) Key question: Why? Type of activity: Research. Key role: Researcher (Scientist). 3) Key question: How? Type of activity: Engineering. Key role: Constructor. The paper contains a description of the main six disciplines, which in the aggregate should meet the triad issues (open to discuss). Short list of demonstration of the irst results is also included. Conclusions contain the indication of theoretical and practical value and prospects for further development. Keywords: Regional Approach, Russian Arctic, ‘New’ Culture, What-Why-How, Master of Design Introduction I N THE AUTUMN of 2008, the Department of Industrial Design at the Ural State Academy of Architecture and Arts (USAAA), Russia, celebrated its 40th anniversary. Over these years, the Department has gained vast expertise in the training of designers for different sectors of domestic industry. The focus of the education provided by the USAAA is on the interests of the region. It means, irst and foremost, strict relevance to the needs of the Ural-Siberian market and close connections with local resources, industrial fa- cilities, and consideration of natural, cultural and ethnic peculiarities. The ‘Arctic focus’ of the Department has always been dominating. For more than a decade, Arctic design has been one of the main research themes for its staff and students. Various expeditions have been held (to the Polar Urals, Yamal Peninsula, Gydan Peninsula, Khanty- Mansi Autonomous Region, etc.), and unique materials have been gathered. Every year, several graduate projects are devoted to the Arctic. The increasing role of the Ural Federal District as the nation’s base of natural resources (especially, hydrocarbon fuels) entailed mass migration of people from temperate climate zones to the extreme northern (or Arctic) environment. This set off a chain reaction: Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal Volume 3, Number 4, 2009, http://www.Design-Journal.com, ISSN 1833-1874 © Common Ground, Nickolay Garin, Svetlana Usenyuk, Maria Panova, Denis Kukanov, All Rights Reserved, Permissions: cg-support@commongroundpublishing.com