Possibilities of design in the popularization of small territories - the experience of project activities of students

The article is devoted to the description and analysis of practice-oriented tasks of territorial branding in the project activities of students studying on the direction of «Design». Using the example of the projects of bachelor students of the Moscow Art and Industrial Institute (MAII) and the Higher School of Design of the Russian State University of Tourism and Service (RSUTS}, the competence-based approach to the implementation of modern education in the field of design is described and analyzed. Research hypotheses are that practice-oriented tasks are the basis of the successful formation of professional competencies. The purpose of the project tasks, which were proposed to students, is to popularize the small territories of Russia. The materials and methods of the research are the study and analysis of scientific, educational, methodological and specialized literature. On the problem of competent promotion of the territories; methods of empirical re-search and generalization of the practice of conducting classes in the disciplines of vocational training of the higher school of design of RSUTS and MAII and analysis of the results of students’ work. To solve the task the basics of design in project activities were applied, and there were used the following research methods: theoretical analysis of philosophical, psychological and pedagogical, special, reference literature on the problem of research and generalization of scientific ideas and views; survey (interviewing); conversation, direct and indirect observation. Students conducted a comprehensive analysis of the design object - a district, city or region, and formed their project proposals in the form of a design concept. Pre-project studies of design students were to include an analysis of the geographical, cultural, gastronomic and other features of the selected small area, potentially attractive to tourists. As a result, corporate identity elements, route maps, and samples of souvenirs were developed to popularize the brands of small territories. In the future, it is assumed that the most successful projects will be proposed for consideration to local self-government bodies and municipalities.