When a designer takes on the role of a researcher: A graduate student in Applied Fine Arts from Van Lang University conducts community research in Taiwan

As part of the Community Design course, in early December 2025, graduate students from the Applied Fine Arts program at Van Lang University participated in a field study trip to Taiwan, combined with academic exchange with graduate students from Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT). The trip provided students with the opportunity to directly observe public spaces and typical community models in a real-life context.

The research trip was organized in line with the innovative teaching methods of the course. Instead of the lecturer pre-determining the research topic, student groups proactively chose the location, proposed their own approach, and researched materials before the trip. Based on this, students initially analyzed factors related to people, economic activities, land use, social policies, and cultural context, thereby forming research hypotheses to be tested through field surveys.

Under the methodological guidance of Dr. Nguyen Dac Thai – Deputy Head of the Faculty of Fine Arts & Design, the students were divided into three research groups, focusing on surveying typical community models in Taiwan, including: Tamsui – a riverside space associated with urban tourism; Dadaocheng – a historical and traditional commercial district; and Houtong Cat Village – a community tourism model combining cats, coal mine heritage, and local residents.

At each location, students observe the space, conduct in-depth interviews, keep design journals, take photographs, and create quick sketches to identify spatial usage behaviors and existing social issues within the community.

As part of the program, the Van Lang University student delegation had an academic exchange at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT), working with international lecturers and graduate students. Under the guidance and professional feedback of Dr. Miao-Hsien Chuang (Joyce Chuang) – Head of the Visual Communication Design Department, the student groups presented their initial research results and received direct feedback from an international academic perspective.

Following their research trip to Taiwan, the groups continued to develop proposals for applied art solutions to improve the identified community issues. Simultaneously, the students compared and searched for similar locations in Vietnam to apply the research model, thereby expanding the academic value and applicability of the trip. Some of the locations selected included the Saigon Zoo, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward (District 1), and the Traditional Opera Theatre (District 5).

The Community Design course is therefore implemented as a learning journey linked to practical research, data, and careful observation of community life. Through this process, students gradually develop research-oriented thinking in design and form a professional approach based on understanding context, people, and social relationships.

My My - photos: Faculty of Fine Arts and Design