NTTU Graphic Design students unleash their creativity by ‘storytelling’ with paper.

A single piece of paper can completely change the value of a design. A suitable material can transform an ordinary idea into a product that leaves a powerful impression on customers. That is also the special message discovered by nearly 200 Graphic Design students of Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU) at the Paper Talk workshop themed “Listening to Paper Tales”.

Chương trình kết nối thực tiễn đầy cảm hứng này do Bộ môn Thiết kế đồ họa, Khoa Kiến trúc – Nội thất – Mỹ thuật ứng dụng phối hợp cùng Công ty Giấy Lan Vi tổ chức.

Chương trình có sự tham dự của lãnh đạo Khoa Kiến trúc – Nội thất – Mỹ thuật ứng dụng, đội ngũ giảng viên Bộ môn Thiết kế đồ họa cùng đông đảo sinh viên ngành Thiết kế đồ họa NTTU. Đồng hành cùng chương trình là diễn giả Lý Thị Thùy Trang – Account Manager Công ty Giấy Lan Vi, chuyên gia có nhiều năm kinh nghiệm trong lĩnh vực giấy mỹ thuật, in ấn, xuất bản và bao bì tại Việt Nam.

The Paper Talk workshop is a practical corporate connection activity, helping NTTU Graphic Design students expand their creative thinking and get closer to professional practices

When a piece of paper becomes a “weapon” to make a design stand out

In the creative world, ideas are the starting point, but materials are the factors that help those ideas be fully perceived. Under the theme “Listening to Paper Tales”, the workshop brought NTTU students a completely new perspective on the role of paper in modern design.

Far from being a mere material for printing, paper is an intrinsic part of visual language. A premium business card, a brand identity kit, a catalogue, or a product packaging sample can evoke completely different emotions simply through a change in paper texture and material.

At the program, students were introduced to the development journey of Lan Vi Paper Company and the Paper Talk – “Listening to Paper Tales” activity series. Established in 2001, Lan Vi Paper is currently one of the pioneers in the field of fine art paper in Vietnam, providing numerous premium paper lines imported directly from Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain, and various other European nations.

The workshop atmosphere became highly vibrant when students had hands-on access to observe and experience multiple fine art paper lines. Through practical insights shared by the business, they discovered the characteristics of each paper type, how to select materials suitable for specific design purposes, as well as the decisive factors behind the quality of a professional print product.

These pieces of knowledge, seemingly simple, serve as crucial “trade secrets” that help students understand that for the exact same design, shifting the paper material can create a massive difference in visual effects, user emotions, and brand value.

Speaker Ly Thi Thuy Trang – Account Manager of Lan Vi Paper Company shares with NTTU students about art paper lines and their applications in design, printing, publishing, and packaging

The Q&A session took place enthusiastically, helping students better understand how to select the right paper material for specific products such as catalogues, packaging, invitation cards, and brand identity kits

NTTU Graphic Design students embrace sustainable design trends from the industry

Not just stopping at the story of materials, the workshop also broadened the students’ perspective on sustainable development trends – one of the critical prerequisites of the modern design industry.

Through the in-depth sharing segment, students learned about FSC certification, responsible raw material sourcing processes, and the eco-friendly material application trends in design, printing, and packaging sectors.

This constitutes highly relevant and practical knowledge as businesses increasingly prioritize green, sustainable design solutions that show responsibility toward the community. Future designers do not just need to create visually appealing products; they must also understand materials deeply, along with manufacturing processes and the impacts of the product on both environment and society.

The dynamic Q&A session featured a series of real-world questions regarding paper selection for packaging, portfolio profiles, catalogues, invitation cards, brand identities, and other creative products. Direct responses from the enterprise representative helped students connect closer with realistic market demands while gaining a clearer picture of how a design concept is actualized into a finished product.

NTTU Graphic Design students directly observe, feel, and learn the properties of various fine art paper lines utilized in professional design products

According to Mr. Le Hai Hong Phong (M.A.) – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Fine Arts, the Paper Talk: “Listening to Paper Tales” workshop holds profound practical meaning for Graphic Design students because design does not stop at concepts or imagery, but is tightly bound to materials, printing techniques, and user experience.

Having direct exposure to fine art paper lines, listening to insights from corporate entities, and raising questions regarding real-life scenarios help students thoroughly grasp the process of translating a design concept into an integrated finished product.

As stated by Mr. Le Hai Hong Phong, the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Fine Arts always underscores reinforcing corporate connection activities, bringing students closer to professional settings right from the lecture halls.

“Through programs like Paper Talk, students do not only enrich their specialized expertise but also cultivate a mindset for material selection, production alignment, and awareness of sustainable design. These are highly indispensable competencies for them to confidently adapt to the increasingly stringent requirements of today’s design industry,” Mr. Le Hai Hong Phong shared.

Mr. Le Hai Hong Phong (M.A.) – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Fine Arts shares the significance of the Paper Talk workshop in helping NTTU Graphic Design students access real-world materials, printing techniques, and sustainable design trends

Representatives of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Fine Arts present flowers to thank speaker Ly Thi Thuy Trang – Account Manager of Lan Vi Paper Company for accompanying and sharing practical knowledge with NTTU students at the Paper Talk workshop

NTTU accelerates corporate partnerships, bringing students closer to professional realities

The Paper Talk: “Listening to Paper Tales” workshop stands as another clear testament to the practice-linked training orientation of the Department of Graphic Design, Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Fine Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University. Through enterprise connection activities, students do not just study theoretical knowledge but are directly exposed to technologies, materials, trends, and actual demands of the profession.

This is also an opportunity for NTTU Graphic Design students to broaden their creative minds, improve vocational capacities, and pile up valuable experiences right while sitting on the school benches.

For Nguyen Tat Thanh University, each practical experiential activity is more than just an extracurricular lecture; it serves as a bridge leading students closer to a professional working environment. From a seemingly familiar piece of paper, NTTU students have gained an inspiring journey of exploration regarding materials, creativity, and new waves shaping the future of the design industry.

Written by: Cam Thach

Photos by: Media