Authors

Discussion

This paper addresses the key methodological challenges faced by researchers when studying Soviet design history through a gender lens. It analyzes the underrepresentation of women in historical narratives. It also explores how traditional approaches to design research can limit our understanding of the significant role women played in shaping Soviet material and visual culture.
The exploration of the hidden mechanisms behind the gender barriers and stereotypes that women faced will help clarify why conventional research methods are often not equally effective in examining the professional contributions of both men and women. The presentation will emphasize the necessity of deconstructing existing canons and developing new methodological tools. These tools should facilitate the inclusion of localized women’s initiatives and practices in the research discourse.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding, it is essential to:
1. Expand the conceptual framework of the profession, considering changes in gender policy through different periods of Soviet history. Investigate women across various spheres of activity. This includes bridging the gap between professional design and DIY culture, as well as decorative and folk arts.
2. Shift the research focus from "big names" to "large project teams" and the roles of contributors. Consider the nuances of Soviet collective authorship and the anonymization of completed design work.
3. Broaden the geographical scope of research. Address the specific challenges of working with available sources:
3.1. The complexities of accessing State archives and private archival materials across different regions. This includes the specifics of Soviet centralization and the value of private collections for restoring gender and regional balance in design history.
3.2. Conduct decolonial and gender analyses of the representation of Soviet designers in publications from the Soviet era. Use both quantitative and qualitative methods.
3.3 Critically examine the researcher's position in contemporary works by local, Russian, and Western researchers. Focus on collaborative projects between researchers from different regions.
3.4. View Soviet designers as a source of information. Address the challenges of working with traumatic memories. Examine propaganda narratives about gender equality versus actual facts presented in interviews with designers of different genders. Consider the impact of the centralized governance system on the geographical trajectories of designers' careers and the complexity of their regional profiles.
3.5. Explore designers’ contributions and the agency of objects. Analyse Soviet design items as sources, emphasizing how these items serve as carriers of national culture from different Soviet regions and reflect gender stereotypes.