Touching Creativity 2025: When teachers "hit the right spot," students unlock their talents.

In just four months of their first year and over a year of their second year, students from the Faculty of Fine Arts & Design - Dai Nam University (DNU) created nearly 700 artworks that were displayed at the CREATIVE TOUCH 2025 exhibition.

Behind those impressive numbers lies a clear educational philosophy: experience-centered learning – creative learning – growth through practice – and teachers who “touch at the right time” to activate students’ potential.

Creative space - where thinking is awakened.

The exhibition brings together nearly 700 diverse products: over 200 book cover and poster designs, over 100 applied print products, nearly 150 art calendars, over 50 illustrations, nearly 50 newspaper layout products, over 20 stylized animal and plant designs, and nearly 100 creative visual works.

Each product is not just a completed assignment, but a step forward in aesthetic thinking, mastery of materials, and the unique personality of each student. The exhibition space is designed as an emotional journey, where viewers can see the progress of the learners through each brushstroke and composition.

Learn through creativity - grow through practice

The Faculty of Fine Arts & Design does not follow a rigid, standardized training model. DNU implements a hands-on education and competency-based training (OBE) model, in which:

• Each module is a career project.
• Students get to experience the "trial and error" process.
• Competence is assessed by actual products, not just scores.
• Teachers play the role of creative coaches.

As a result, many works at the exhibition embody a bold spirit, a willingness to be different, and reflect a design mindset linked to practical application – something the creative market increasingly demands.

DNU's training philosophy is clearly evident: Learning goes hand in hand with practice – creativity is linked to application – and products are proof of competence.

When teachers "hit the right spot," students naturally flourish.

Speaking at the exhibition, Ms. Cao Thi Hoa – Vice President of the School Board – emphasized: “Today’s works are not just about skills. They are the result of a journey where emotions are awakened, ideas are listened to, and efforts are put in the right place. When teachers approach students with subtlety and respect, their talents will naturally blossom.”

That is also the educational philosophy that Dai Nam University pursues: The teacher does not impose – the teacher is an open learner.

The exhibition attracted many experts from the University of Industrial Fine Arts, Hanoi University of Architecture, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, etc.

Lecturer Bui Thanh Huong, M.Sc. - Head of the Computer Engineering Department , Faculty of Information Technology, University of Civil Engineering : “I am very impressed with the detailed perfection of the products completed by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design from various courses, especially the desk calendars and book/magazine covers, as well as the hand-drawn products. In addition, the spacious art exhibition space with its well-arranged products is aesthetically pleasing and impressive, reflecting the investment in space and facilities, and providing a favorable opportunity for professional activities outside of teaching hours from Dai Nam University . Furthermore, the products are made with many diverse designs on various materials, showcasing the students' creativity. The faculty members, in particular, clearly felt the significant amount of work required, from hand-drawing and subtle color coordination to the design tasks, demanding considerable time and effort …”

Nguyen Thi Hue – a lecturer in the Graphic Design Department, Vietnam Fine Arts University – shared: "With many years of teaching experience in both public and private schools, I understand that organizing an exhibition for students – where they can present their first works – is not something every school can do. Such an exhibition requires a great deal of dedication: the persistent guidance of lecturers, the serious practice efforts of students, and especially strong support from the school. Therefore, when I stepped into the Creative Touch Exhibition of students from the Fine Arts & Design Department - Dai Nam University, I immediately felt a great energy flowing through the space. The exhibition was truly a surprising 'touch point.' Many works impressed me at first glance: the free and unrestrained expression, breaking down the rigid barriers often seen in first-year students. Even with only four months or a year of studying the major, the students have shown remarkable observational skills." Strong, with excellent visual thinking and, especially, a creative spirit unafraid of making mistakes. I have great respect for the ancient manuscripts – full of subtlety and in-depth research; the written works – strong in structure, sharp in form; and the historical graphic works – vibrant in color yet highly practical. All of these combine to create an impressive, youthful, and energetic exhibition space. One thing is clear: behind these works is the powerful inspiration from the faculty of the Faculty of Fine Arts & Design. The students' confidence is proof of an environment where inspiration is always nurtured, where learners are given the opportunity to experiment, to encounter challenges, and to grow every day..."

The exhibition, critique, and evaluation by experts from the first and second years helps students develop a serious professional mindset and the ability to present their work – essential skills for artists and designers.

Academic playground - a springboard for careers

Each work is a milestone:

- A moment of maturity in aesthetic thinking.

- A step forward in professional skills

- A moment of creative self-discovery

- A public performance

According to Ms. Luu Thi Hien, Deputy Head of the Fine Arts and Design Faculty, many products have approached market demands, showing that students not only know how to do it, but also do it with a clear professional mindset. Nearly 700 works also represent 700 instances where students demonstrated their capabilities – in line with the practical education spirit that DNU pursues.

CREATIVE TOUCH 2025 – proof of the right educational direction.

The exhibition is not just a place to showcase art. It is a vivid testament to Dai Nam University's training strategy:

- Learner-centered approach

- Teach to do, not to memorize.

- Bringing practical experience into the classroom.

- Transform products into a measure of capability.

- Transform the lecture hall into a space for continuous experiential learning.

From their debut works, a generation of young artists and designers from Dai Nam University are confidently entering the market with passion, discipline, and genuine creative ability. The "TOUCH CREATIVITY 2025" program affirms the core principle: When teachers touch the right path, students will flourish.