ROLE OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND DESIGN IN THE FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF BACHELOR STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

The rapid development of the digital economy has fundamentally transformed the professional role of economists, expanding it beyond traditional analytical and forecasting functions. Modern economists increasingly operate in datadriven environments where economic information must be processed, interpreted, and communicated visually for decisionmakers, clients, and market stakeholders. The growth of e-commerce, digital marketing, and platform-based business models has intensified the demand for specialists capable of integrating economic analysis with visual communication tools. However, higher education programmes in economics often remain focused on quantitative calculations and theoretical modelling, insufficiently addressing the development of visual and applied digital competencies. The purpose of this article is to substantiate the role of computer graphics and design in the formation of professional competencies of bachelor students in economics and to determine their contribution to analytical thinking, visual communication, and applied digital skills within the framework of the digital economy. The research is based on the analysis and synthesis of contemporary scientific literature on digitalisation of economic education, a systemic approach to defining the place of computer graphics and design within economics-oriented educational programmes, and functional analysis of graphic tools used for economic data visualisation. Additionally, the study generalises teaching experience obtained through a laboratory workshop in the discipline “Computer Graphics and Design”, which focuses on practical tasks related to economic analysis, e-commerce, and marketing communication. The findings demonstrate that computer graphics and design perform analytical, communicative, and applied functions in the professional training of future economists. Mastering tools for image processing, infographic development, mock-up creation, and digital advertising enables students to visualise economic data, interpret complex indicators, and present analytical results in a structured and comprehensible form. The integration of graphic tools into economics education enhances students’ ability to analyse market trends, support managerial decision-making, and design visual content for business communication in digital environments. Practical assignments based on real economic contexts contribute to the development of interdisciplinary skills combining economics, design thinking, and digital literacy. Computer graphics and design should be regarded as an integral component of bachelor-level economics education in the digital economy. Their systematic integration into educational programmes strengthens professional mobility, improves graduates’ competitiveness in the labour market, and increases the practical relevance of economic training. The article proposes incorporating design-oriented laboratory workshops into economics curricula as an effective means of developing visual communication competencies. Further research should focus on assessing learning outcomes related to visual-economic skills and expanding interdisciplinary educational models in economics.