"All these designers are just a skill": questions about what should and shouldn't be taught

A number of topical issues were raised at the discussion "The percentage of creativity: why does heavy industry need creative industries?", held as part of the Moscow International Education Fair. Participants discussed the differences between "physicists and lyricists," as well as the importance of the humanities in the context of modern challenges, including the possibility of replacing creative processes with generative artificial intelligence. They also discussed the prospects for education in the creative industries, highlighting the importance of integrating creativity into various economic sectors. Humanities, in this context, encompass a broad range of fields, including creative fields in art and culture. According to the All-Russian Classifier of Educational Specialties, humanities include such disciplines as linguistics, history, archeology, philosophy, and theology. The discussion focused on the design profession, despite the absence of representatives of this profession among the participants. This underscores the importance of design in the humanities and its influence on the cultural development of society. The discussion's topic was broad, allowing the speakers to cover a variety of aspects. Nevertheless, several key issues emerged during the conversation that truly require attention and deep reflection.

Are humanities majors still needed?

Andrey Sebrant, Yandex's Director of Strategic Marketing, noted that at most tech companies, including Yandex, programmers make up less than half of the total workforce. Strong product managers more often than not have a humanities background, rather than a technical one. This is because developing a successful product that will be in demand by a wide audience requires effective collaboration within a team consisting of both technology specialists and humanities majors. According to Andrey Sebrant, humanities majors play the role of the "glue" that unites various professions into a single team. He also emphasized that the role of humanities majors has changed significantly compared to previous perceptions. This is important to consider when choosing a future profession. For example, if someone wants to enroll in a language university in order to reduce language barriers, such an aspiration may seem outdated in today's conditions.

The Director of Strategic Marketing at Yandex is responsible for the development and implementation Product and service promotion strategies. His responsibilities include analyzing market trends, identifying target audience needs, and creating effective marketing campaigns. The role of the Director of Strategic Marketing also includes managing a team of specialists and coordinating interactions between various company departments. Effective leadership in this area helps strengthen Yandex's market position and increase its competitiveness. Humanities offer unique skills that allow them to more easily adapt to new situations and innovations. Unlike representatives of the exact sciences, humanities students have a flexible mindset, which helps them perceive the dynamic nature of the world around them. Professionals in the exact sciences often adhere to a more fixed view of reality, seeking to clarify and structure existing knowledge. Thus, the idea of a constantly changing worldview may be less understandable to those who work with rigorous scientific methods. This difference in approach highlights the importance of the complementarity of the humanities and exact disciplines in modern society.

There are talented and adaptable technical specialists, as well as conservative representatives of the humanities. However, a key humanities skill is the ability to embrace change, experiment, and be open to unexpected developments in the world. This skill can be mastered by humanities scholars, allowing them to successfully adapt to new conditions and challenges.

In today's world, where projects are implemented by interdisciplinary teams, the importance of humanities specialists is significantly increasing. Their contribution is becoming crucial, although the role itself may be unusual. Humanities scholars can bring a unique perspective to problems and solutions, enriching technical and scientific approaches.

Ivan Karpushkin, Advisor to the General Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives for the Promotion of New Projects, emphasized the importance of in-depth study of one's native language for harmonious personal development. This knowledge plays a key role in developing the skills and abilities necessary in any field. A deeper understanding of the language contributes not only to personal growth, but also to successful communication, which is the basis for achieving any professional goals.

Advisor to the General Director of the ANO "Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New The "Projects Advisor" plays a key role in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at supporting innovative endeavors. This position requires a deep understanding of the market, analysis of current trends, and the development of recommendations for optimizing project activities. The advisor's primary responsibilities include advising management on issues related to the promotion of new projects, as well as coordinating interactions between the agency's various departments. The advisor's effective work contributes to increased competitiveness and the successful implementation of strategic initiatives. A deep understanding of one's native language is essential for the harmonious development of an individual. Language is the foundation of all technology; it shapes thinking and perception of the world. It represents the basic technology upon which all other achievements are built. No matter how quickly new technologies develop or how complex they may be, without the ability to use one's native language and an understanding of its roots, as well as the structure of its conceptual apparatus, the perception of information will be difficult. Awareness of one's linguistic culture is a key element in the process of learning and understanding the world around one. Language is the foundation of any knowledge. In an uncertain world, it is especially important to deeply study one's native language. This knowledge forms the foundation for perceiving reality. All other aspects, especially those related to the visual arts, take a back seat. Visual elements can enrich perception, but without a solid linguistic foundation, their significance is limited. Thus, in-depth language learning becomes a primary task for successfully understanding and analyzing the surrounding world.

According to Ivan Karpushkin, the study of language and visual arts is not the only aspect of harmonious personal development. Music also plays a vital role in this process. This opinion is shared by Sergey Kazarnovsky, Honored Teacher of Russia and Director of Education Center No. 686 "Class Center." He emphasizes that music lessons contribute to the development of a multifaceted and profound worldview. This perspective, in turn, becomes essential for success in any field a person chooses in the future. Music develops creative thinking, improves concentration and promotes emotional development, which makes it an integral part of education.

Honored Teacher of Russia and Director of Education Center No. 686 "Class Center", which is actively engaged in innovative methods teaching and educating children. His work focuses on creating a comfortable educational environment that fosters students' creative development. Under his leadership, the education center implements modern technologies and programs, enabling students to achieve high academic results and develop the skills necessary for successful life in modern society.

Musical modal construction is an important aspect of musical theory that varies across cultural traditions. In Russian music, we observe unique modal constructions, distinct from those found in Chinese or Eastern music. Each culture develops its own modal patterns, making musical diversity vast and multifaceted. These modal constructions have complex and indeterminate origins, allowing musicians to creatively interpret and combine various elements. Studying modal constructions in music fosters a deep understanding of cultural differences and the characteristics of musical styles.

In school, we are often told, "Read this more expressively." But what does "more expressively" mean? How do we know whether we have reached this level or not? The same applies to painting: an artist may be told, "The brushstroke should be harder." The question is: did the brushstroke become harder or not? These aspects are indeterminate, and that is precisely their importance. Understanding the nuances of expressiveness in reading and painting influences the quality of performance and the perception of art. It's important to recognize that evaluating expressiveness is always subjective and contextual. Creating expressive works requires deep analysis and self-reflection, making the process meaningful for both performer and audience.

Long-term participation in training and writing contributes to the development of key personal qualities. In this process, clear distinctions between black and white disappear, replaced by shades and tints, and the formation of genres and styles. This phenomenon can be compared to alteration in music, which underscores its significance. Developing such skills plays a vital role in a person's life, regardless of their future career. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and other important aspects. So, when we talk about a harmoniously developed person, I mean precisely these qualities.

What is the biggest problem with humanities education (and not only humanities)?

All speakers agree that the humanities and creative disciplines remain relevant. The question is when and how they should be studied. On the one hand, studying these subjects as part of a general education is obviously beneficial. On the other hand, studying the humanities and creative fields as a future profession requires a deeper approach and conscious choice.

The former head of the Moscow Department of Culture, as well as the founder and head of the Moscow Center for Urban Studies, has significant Experience in managing cultural projects and initiatives. His work includes developing the urban environment and implementing innovative approaches to urban planning, which contributes to improving the quality of life in the metropolis. As part of his work, he actively supports cultural initiatives aimed at creating a comfortable and attractive urban infrastructure.

A child begins drawing before he learns to read and write. The educational process should begin with music: if you teach your child musical skills, this will significantly facilitate the learning of foreign languages in the future. The main goal is to provide cultural and aesthetic education in kindergarten, and to identify creative potential and develop the necessary skills in school. Later, students are faced with a choice: continue their education in secondary specialized educational institutions or enroll in higher education.

Career choices today are faced with a new reality: many specialties that were previously considered highly specialized are becoming universal skills necessary for everyone. This is happening, for example, with the profession of typist. Ivan Karpushkin cites specialized translators as a relevant example. In today's world, knowledge of foreign languages is becoming a requirement for professionals in various fields, allowing them to read and understand scientific and professional texts related to their work. Thus, the importance of language skills in the professional environment continues to grow, emphasizing the necessity of mastering them for a successful career.

The problem of a professional crisis affects not only the humanities but many other fields as well. Andrey Sebrant cited the concept of industrial engineering, which is sometimes perceived as a new profession. In reality, it is more like a skill required in various professional fields, similar to the ability to work with specific software. In today's reality, talking about stable and established professions is becoming increasingly difficult. According to Andrey, as a specialist in modern education, it is important to develop in schoolchildren and students a set of skills that will ensure their comfortable existence in the future. Thus, an emphasis on developing universal competencies is becoming key in preparing for the changing labor market.

Ivan Karpushkin raises the pressing issue of a professional crisis, focusing on the shortcomings of career guidance. He notes that career guidance for professions that may disappear in the coming years is pointless. In his opinion, while career guidance can be useful, it can also be unreliable and even harmful in the long term. A reassessment of approaches to career guidance is necessary to prevent our children from facing crises similar to those facing those who chose the creative industries. Currently, the vocational education system is seeing an increase in the number of designers, despite the fact that modern technologies are gradually "washing out" this profession, and 70-80% of designers may lose their positions in the labor market in the next ten years. Children who choose these professions risk their future lives, based on advice from people who do not take into account modern realities. Sergey Kapkov emphasized that design is not simply creative expression, but a skill available to every employee in an organization. He drew a parallel with the Soviet education system, noting that the direction of study is always determined by the needs of the client. This underscores the dependence of education on the state of the economy. If an education system is oriented toward companies like Yandex, it will be built on a single principle. Meanwhile, a completely different approach will be required for the military-industrial complex. Kapkov emphasized that the educational system begins at an early age. It is important to develop skills in children, such as modeling and drawing, to instill in them a desire to grow and develop in this field. Then comes the transition to school, cultural centers, and additional education, which should be aimed at integrating into the economy. He also noted that it is inappropriate to "train lyricists" when the country needs practical skills and specialists who meet the demands of the times. Sergey Kapkov expressed the opinion that the concept of "creative industries" is actually unfounded. He argues that any field of activity is creative by its very nature. This means that, regardless of the chosen profession, creative skills are essential. Developing creativity can improve performance in any field, fostering innovation and effective problem solving. Thus, the importance of a creative approach cannot be underestimated, as it plays a key role in the success of each person in their professional activities.

"All these designers are just a skill": questions about what should and shouldn't be taught

Contents:

Are humanities majors still needed?

What is the biggest problem with humanities education (and not only humanities)?