When designers take on the role of researchers: Postgraduate students of Applied Arts at Van Lang University study communities in Taiwan
As part of the Community Design course, in early December 2025, postgraduate students in Applied Arts at Van Lang University undertook a field research trip to Taiwan, combining academic exchange with postgraduate students from Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT). The trip provided opportunities for students to directly engage with public spaces and distinctive community models in real-life contexts.
The research was organized with an innovative teaching approach. Instead of instructors predefining research problems, postgraduate student groups actively selected locations, proposed their own approaches, and studied documents before the trip. Based on this preparation, students began analyzing factors related to people, economic activities, spatial use, social policies, and cultural contexts, thereby forming research hypotheses to be tested through fieldwork.
Under the methodological guidance of Dr. Nguyen Dac Thai – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Design, learners were divided into three research groups, focusing on representative community models in Taiwan, including Tamsui – riverside space linked to urban tourism, Dadaocheng – historic district with traditional commerce, and Houtong Cat Village – community tourism model combining cats, coal mining heritage, and local residents.
At each site, students conducted spatial observations, in-depth interviews, maintained design journals, performed photography and quick sketches to identify patterns of space usage as well as existing social issues within the community.
As part of the program, the Van Lang University postgraduate student delegation also participated in an academic exchange at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT), working with lecturers and international postgraduate students. With professional feedback from Dr. Miao-Hsien Chuang (Joyce Chuang) – Head of the Department of Visual Communication Design, the groups presented their preliminary findings and received direct input from an international academic perspective.
Following the Taiwan research trip, the groups continued to develop applied art solutions to address identified community issues. At the same time, learners conducted a comparison and sought comparable contexts in Vietnam to apply their research models, thereby expanding both academic value and practical application. Selected sites included Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward (District 1), and the Hat Boi Traditional Opera Theater (District 5).
After the research trip to Taiwan, the learner groups continued to propose applied art solutions and conducted comparisons with similar sites in Vietnam.
The Community Design course was implemented as a learning journey deeply connected to real-world research, data, and careful observation of community life. Students gradually cultivated research-oriented thinking in design and developed professional approaches grounded in understanding context, people, and social relationships.
News: My My
Photos: Faculty of Arts and Design
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