The publication examines the main stages of the history of Russian and foreign design. This manual incorporates experience in research, lectures and practical classes on the problems of design history. Conditionally, the manual can be divided into two parts - the historical stages of Russian design and the historical stages of foreign design. Each stage, and their author identifies twelve, carries some important component, be it, for example, the invention of the wheel or the emergence of the concept of Soviet constructivism, in a word, everything that is the starting point for a further round of design development at a new level. Plans for practical exercises are given, the terms used are interpreted. For students of design specialties, as well as for a wide range of readers interested in the history of the formation and development of design.