Design as a driver of the economy: industry forum concludes at the National Centre RUSSIA

The IV Russian Design Industry Forum has concluded at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event, aimed at promoting the domestic industry, brought together Russian designers and professional communities, manufacturing enterprises, suppliers, buyers, retail chains, as well as representatives of public authorities and educational institutions.

The forum took place from 14 to 16 April, with events at the National Centre RUSSIA held from 15 to 16 April. The venue hosted the business programme, where experts discussed the development of national identity in design, the commercialisation of projects and interaction with the real sector of the economy.

In particular, the space hosted the plenary session "Authenticity and Diversity of Russian Design: A Strategy for the Success of Domestic Products". Experts discussed the role of creative industries and their support at the state level.

The President of the ANO "Creative Economy", Marina Mongush, noted that the design industry has made a major leap "from aesthetics to meaning": "Consumers are already saturated with global brands — they want local identity, but it must be of high quality. We need to rethink our cultural heritage and create products with a completely different level of competitiveness. It is time to move from discussion to professional methodologies, especially for the design community." 

Experts agreed that in recent years, the role of design in Russia has been significantly reinterpreted. It is no longer seen merely as decoration, but as an important tool influencing cultural, social and economic processes. Today, design is actively used in the creation of high-tech products, the development of the urban environment, spatial planning and the formation of national identity.

Participants noted that the adoption of the Federal Law on Creative Industries in 2024 marked a significant step by the state in recognising the role of the creative sector. The document established legal mechanisms to support professionals, gave impetus to industry development and strengthened its connection with the economy. As a result, the share of creative industries in Russia’s GDP is expected to increase from 2% to 6% by 2030.

"At present, the Ministry of Economic Development is finalising the strategy for the development of the creative economy through to 2036, and an interdepartmental coordination council has been established at the Government level. Among our key tasks is removing infrastructural, workforce, market and export barriers for designers, small studios and local brands. Particular attention is paid to the development of creative clusters, workforce training in line with market needs, stimulating demand for design from the real sector and supporting Russian brands in entering international markets. Support for creative industries is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, which form the foundation of the sector. All measures are developed with the real needs of entrepreneurs and the creative community in mind," said State Duma deputy and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy Denis Kravchenko.

The venue also hosted the session "The National Design System as the Foundation of a Value-Oriented Economy and National Sovereignty". Experts outlined the importance of design as a strategic development tool shaping national identity.

"The creation of a national design system as a carrier of cultural code and originality will help establish a sustainable positive trend towards solutions developed and produced in Russia. The design system is one of the drivers of sustainable economic growth. Visual culture shapes national trends and serves as a tool of internal organisation and soft power in the global market. Today, unified visual communication is the subject of large-scale collective work," said Andrei Melentyev, Head of the Department for Monitoring State Visual Communications at the National Centre RUSSIA and Secretary of the Council for the Formation of a New Russian Style.

The Russian Design Industry Forum is held to bring together representatives of the Russian design industry for equal discussion of joint business strategies and the development of a roadmap for future growth. The organiser of the IV Russian Design Industry Forum is the Roscongress Foundation. Co-organisers include the National Centre RUSSIA, the Agency for Creative Industries, the Kosygin Russian State University and the Union of Designers of Russia. The forum is held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. The communication partner is the MAER media holding.