Prof. Steffi W. Neukirchen

Print is not dead – in this project, students had the opportunity to explore the book as a medium that offers multiple design possibilities, satisfying human needs while nourishing several of our senses. A medium that can provide an unparalleled immersive experience. In addition, students were tasked with developing a concept for how a publication could be enriched or enhanced using digital technology, such as augmented reality. The students took the opportunity to explore the medium and – by freely choosing their topic – themselves: their origins and cultural backgrounds, ideas they hold dear, messages and experiences they want to share. Storytelling was an important part of the curriculum and some had their first experience as an author, illustrator or both in this project. A pile of books presented after the first course in January 2017 How to „go green“, live a more sustainable live, why not getting inspirations from ants? Giang Nguyen Ha gave a lot of recommendations and showed for example how to make your own paper from trash (January 2018). Using her grandfather’s poems, Le Hoang Huong Nhi shows how to live a life to fullest, even in your late years: „Loving the salt & pepper life“. „The method of Heaven & Earth to restore lost Qi“ is an inspiration for young people to mind traditional medicine. More images of Ta Quang Huy‘s book can be found on his Behance profile Thinking about enhancing a printed matter with digital technology, Tran Nu Hoang Kim developed an Augmented Reality App showcasing mythical creatures of Native American culture for her book: „The realms of spirit“. „Superstrings to the rescue“ is a scientific art book about string theory, a contemporary idea in theoretical physics. The book becomes Nguyen Ngoc Tuong Minh‘s personal aesthetic translation of the string theory language. About the courseStudents learned not only in the classroom, but also through various activities, field trips, exhibition visits, or in the library. I worked with Clare O’Dwyer, the director of the Beanland Library on campus, to develop a Book Award that could be won each semester, paired with an exhibit in the library. In addition, the books of the award winners were added to the library’s collection. I invited Long Dang, the founder of the Saigon Art Book project, and Giang Nguyen Hung, the designer of the latest book, to talk about contemporary Vietnamese book design. We took field trips to an offset printing company and to the Type Directors Club exhibition organised by the German Goethe-Institut in Ho Chi Minh City. Visiting an offset printing house Type Directors Club exhibition, organised by the Goethe Institute More examples of student work: Course: ProjectContribution: Idea, course design, teachingProgram: Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) University: School of Communication & Design, RMIT VietnamYear: 2016 – 2018

How do basic letterforms differ? What relationships arise, depending on their position in two-dimensional space? How can we promote and prevent legibility? How do “construction and deconstruction” affect basic letterforms? – These were simple research questions the students, began to work on in my typography class at RMIT Vietnam. By hand and on paper. Within the second step, they used the results in their digital work to convey a strong message in a poster series. The topics were free to choose: human rights, social issues, health, environmental protection, … Nguyen Chanh Minh’s interactive poster series is visualising recommendations of the “Ministry of Social Wellbeing”, but not without questioning them by adding a second layer that can be revealed on pressing a button. Nguyen Thai Ha reminds us that we are responsible for saving endangered animals. Le Hoang Minh Nhat introduces three attractions from his hometown in the Mekong Delta, using what he has identified as „Vietnamese Style“. Tran Hanh Vy about confidence Nguyen Ngoc Tra My about drug addiction Hand made typography labThe students worked with basic letterforms printed on paper, to explore their shape, relationships and experiment. The exercises built upon each other and each student submitted a second set of posters made by hand. Exemplary results from different students. Course: TypographyContribution: Course design, teachingProgram: Bachelor of Design (Digital Media)University: School of Communication & Design, RMIT VietnamYear: 2017