Students tell cultural stories through 3D animation.

Choosing 3D animation as their graduation project, four students from the K27 cohort of the Graphic Design major at Duy Tan University explored traditional cultural elements as a source of creative inspiration.

Graphic design students during their graduation project defense. Photo: NTCC.

Through modern visual language, these projects not only showcase aesthetic thinking and professional skills but also contribute to renewing and spreading Vietnamese cultural values ​​to young people.

Touching the past through creativity.

Inspired by To Huu's poem "Lượm," Nguyen Thi My Linh's 3D animated film project, "The Communication Circuit," aims to convey feelings of gratitude and appreciation for the humble individuals who contributed to the great values ​​of the nation. The soul of the project is the image of Vietnamese children during wartime: innocent yet resilient, small but full of responsibility. This spirit is not only present in the character of Lượm but also represents an entire generation of Vietnamese children during the war.

To suit contemporary tastes, My Linh doesn't simply copy the original designs but opts for a minimalist, stylized approach. The costumes retain the form and spirit of the resistance era but are restrained in detail and color; the characters are clearly defined, emphasizing expression to enhance emotional impact. Lighting, composition, and movement are used as tools to "modernize" traditional elements, allowing the images to tell their own story instead of dialogue.

According to My Linh, the biggest challenge lies not in the technique but in finding a balance between tradition and personal creativity. If too many historical details are retained, the work can easily become cumbersome; but if too much is simplified, the characters risk losing their cultural identity.

From tradition to contemporary

Also choosing simple things as creative material, Hoang Thi Tra My's graduation project "Little Things" doesn't explore grand themes but focuses on spreading the core value of family affection. The cultural material of the project is built from memories of Vietnamese houses from the period after 2009. From childhood memories and books and articles, My recreates living spaces with characteristic interior design, bringing a warm and familiar feeling.

According to Tra My, the biggest challenge lies in the technical aspects, especially rigging (attaching the bones to the character). This is the first time she has fully completed the rigging process for a 3D film project, requiring precision in movement and the ability to convey emotion. Therefore, My spent a lot of time researching to ensure the character moved smoothly and had natural facial expressions.

The soul of the project lies in recreating a Vietnamese house with details that evoke childhood memories, such as Hoa Hoc Tro magazine, "Good Child" certificates, and familiar household items. These small details become an emotional bridge, allowing viewers to easily see their own childhood reflected in it.

Besides My Linh and Tra My, two other students also chose traditional cultural elements for their graduation projects. Nguyen Quy Ngoc's "Wheel of Memory" tells the story of a student exhausted by the pressures of studying and making a living, seeking solace in childhood memories. Quy Ngoc pursues a gentle creative style, focusing on storytelling and emotion rather than showcasing technical prowess. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung's project "Recalling the Great Ceremony" draws inspiration from the "Xay Chau Dai Boi" ritual of the Southern Vietnam Ky Yen Festival, using 3D animation as a contemporary language to recreate and revive gradually forgotten heritage.

By incorporating traditional cultural elements into their modern projects, students realized that traditional culture is not distant or rigid, but rather vibrant and relatable.

As the direct supervisor of the four projects, Mr. Nguyen Le Hoang, Art Director of the Silver Swallow Film Studio at Duy Tan University, assessed that the students did not chase after complex special effects but focused on the story, emotions, and familiar values ​​such as family, childhood, and love for their homeland. This authenticity helped the projects easily connect with viewers.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/sinh-vien-ke-chuyen-van-hoa-bang-hoat-hinh-3d-3322559.html