Ukrainian branches of VNIITE in Kyiv and Kharkiv

The Ukrainian SSR held a unique position within the Soviet design system. Apart from the Russian SFSR, it was the only Soviet republic to have two branches of VNIITE, in Kyiv and Kharkiv, its main industrial and design education centres. The Kyiv branch (first established in 1964 as an SKhKB or ‘special art and design bureau’ under the Ministry of Light Industry) and the Kharkiv branch (first established in 1965 as another SKhKB) became VNIITE sites in 1972. Actively involved in various projects for enterprises across the USSR, they also provided consultancy services, conducted quality assessments of manufactured goods, organized scientific seminars, and curated design exhibitions.
The Kyiv branch specialized in the design of industrial production tools, including machinery for casting, pressing, and welding, along with polygraphic machines, transport vehicles, and cinema equipment. It also focused on consumer goods such as irons, dryers, dishwashers, kitchen appliances, other electric items, and medical instruments. There were also departments dedicated to visual communications, graphic design, environmental design, ergonomics, and scientific research. The branch’s key personnel included Vasily Strelchenko (director from 1974 onwards), Leonid Zhogol (deputy director for artistic design), and chief designers Viktor Kuznetsov, Dmitry Shmelkov, Leonid Rabinovich, and Yakov Feinleib. The design sector was led by Yuri Skokov, and the departmental heads were Nikolay Korol, Eduard Chugunov, Alexander Motorin, Vladimir Dolmatov, and Semyon Matusevich. The ergonomic laboratory was headed by Zhanna Levshinova.
The Kharkiv Branch had a strong focus on designing consumer goods, particularly electric appliances, communications equipment, and labour-saving devices. They were particularly renowned for design programmes that catered to specific consumer groups, with projects ranging from bicycles to vacuum cleaners. These projects were built upon an integrated set of basic components and units, resulting in efficient and versatile designs. The branch also took on orders for industrial interiors. It was directed by V. Lukashov, with the design team including Vitaly Borisovich Volkov, Yuliy Pavlovich Kaplonsky, Vladimir Shandyba, Vladimir Landkof, and many others.