Dr. Mariia Chumak

Dr. Mariia Chumak is an experienced academic, visual artist, and researcher with over 17 years of international teaching and industry experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. She completed her education in France and Russia and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Central University of Pondicherry, specializing in the philosophy of art and comparative religion studies.

She brings strong interdisciplinary expertise connecting fine arts, design, art history, and visual communication. Her prior professional background includes extensive collaborations with global fashion agencies such as WGSN and French brands including Kookaï, IKKS, and Promod. She has also contributed illustrations for renowned publications and organizations such as Vogue, Marie Claire, CNN, and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Her global exposure and interdisciplinary perspective enrich her academic practice and creative pedagogy.

Before joining UPES, Dr. Chumak taught at several prestigious institutions, including Intuit Lab (France), Al Akhawayn University (Morocco), École Supérieure d'Art et de Design (France), Dar Al-Hekma University (Saudi Arabia), LISAA School of Design (India), and Raffles Design Institute.

She has actively contributed to curriculum development, accreditation processes, and creative collaborations with media organizations and academic institutions.

Intercultural Artistic Exchanges between Europe and Asia | Cross-Civilisational Visual Identity | Comparative Religion in Art | Symbolic Forms Across Cultures | Art History | Visual Culture

Dr. Chumak's pedagogical approach is centred on supporting and cultivating each student's individual creative ideas while equipping them with the competencies and resources necessary to realize their projects. She believes in nurturing originality and helping students effectively communicate their creativity through prototypes, design outcomes, and artistic presentations.

Her teaching focuses on confidence-building, conceptual clarity, and innovation, ensuring that learners are prepared for future employability and creative leadership.

Basics of Design | History of Art and Design | Illustration | Fashion Illustration | Material Exploration | Research Methodology | Studio Arts | Academic Writing | Creative Thinking | Fashion Marketing and Promotion

Dr. Chumak actively contributes to research in art history, visual culture, and cross-civilisational studies. She has published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented papers at conferences in Greece, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and India.

Her collaborations include work with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and academic institutes specializing in Byzantine influence and classical studies. Through her research and academic engagement, she continues to promote dialogue between global artistic traditions and contemporary design discourse.

Email: mariia.chumak@ddn.upes.ac.in