Shining through creativity: Two interior design students earn excellent scores with highly applicable projects

NTTU – Graduation is always a time that marks memorable milestones in a student’s life. This year, the Faculty of Architecture, Interior Design, and Applied Arts at Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU) witnessed the remarkable achievement of two students who earned the highest scores in the Interior Design program including Duong Ngoc Khoa and Van Kieu Giang. Their highly creative graduation projects clearly reflected their design thinking and passion for the profession. These two designs are considered the best out of the 20 projects presented during this thesis session.

Duong Ngoc Khoa – The student with the highest score in the Interior Design program: Confidence and creativity in the face of challenges.

Duong Ngoc Khoa, a student who achieved a perfect score in the Interior Design program at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, demonstrated exceptional confidence and creativity through his project “Interior Design of Carmel International Hospital – FWD.” Under the guidance of M.A. Dinh Anh Tuan, Khoa conducted in-depth research into medical spaces, effectively addressing the functional requirements and human-centered factors.

The research process and idea development were truly a major challenge. From organizing the functional space, selecting the design style, to considering every detail to ensure both aesthetics and comfort. Khoa shared: “I faced quite a few difficulties, and there were times when I wanted to give up. But thanks to the thorough guidance from my professors and the encouragement from my family and friends, I found the motivation to continue and complete the project in the best way possible.”

Khoa’s project was not only highly praised for its outstanding creativity but also recognized for its practical application, clearly demonstrating his ability to combine design science with real-world needs. Khoa believes: “When you truly dedicate yourself to something, you will definitely reap the rewards you deserve. Although there are still areas that need improvement, I am proud of having given my best to complete this project. This is not only the final major assignment at NTTU but also an important milestone in my personal development journey.”

The project “Interior Design of Carmel International Hospital – FWD”

Van Kieu Giang made an impression with the project design of Hồ Lắk Resort: “When the love for hometown becomes a source of design inspiration.”

Van Kieu Giang, a female student from Nguyen Tat Thanh University, made a special impression with her graduation project titled “Interior Design of Hồ Lắk Resort,” under the guidance of Dr. Phạm Thị Ngân. Instead of choosing common topics such as residential or commercial spaces, Giang decided to select Hồ Lắk, her hometown in the Central Highlands, as the focus of her research.

Sharing about this special choice, Giang said: “For a long time, I have harbored the desire to create a design project dedicated to the place where I was born and raised.” Hồ Lắk is a location rich in tourism potential but has not been effectively exploited. Therefore, she took advantage of this opportunity and decided to choose it as her graduation project, aiming to both promote her hometown and contribute to preserving its cultural beauty.

Through the research process, Giang became increasingly fascinated with the space, architecture, and cultural life of the people in the area. She focused on exploring local cultural elements, using environmentally friendly materials, and creating a harmonious blend between modern design style and the distinctive traditional identity of the Central Highlands.

The Hồ Lắk Resort designed by Van Kieu Giang

She also emphasized that to successfully complete a project, students need to make clear, detailed plans and regularly interact and exchange ideas with their instructors and peers. Giang shared some advice for students in future cohorts: “Choose a topic that you truly love, because passion is the key to helping you complete your work in the best manner. If possible, visit the place you choose to observe the space, architecture, and the local people’s way of life – this is an invaluable source of inspiration that will help you carry out your project more effectively.”

Commenting on the design projects of Duong Ngoc Khoa and Van Kieu Giang, the expert panel highly appreciated both products. Khoa’s design included thorough research and clear analysis of the current state, effectively transferring design ideas into the space, with well-executed details in the design. On the other hand, Giang’s design was well-suited to the local culture, especially with her excellent handling of materials and colors.

When effort and creativity open up a vast future

After months of hard work and dedication, this year’s graduation project has become an unforgettable milestone for Duong Ngoc Khoa and Van Kieu Giang. Their graduation projects were highly praised for their creativity and practicality, and they both earned perfect scores, opening doors to promising opportunities in their future design careers.

Looking back on their journey, Duong Ngoc Khoa and Van Kieu Giang could not hide their emotions and pride. After months of diligent research and countless sleepless nights refining every detail, the results they received today are the sweet fruits of their perseverance and love for the profession.

“Each time I revised my work or received feedback from my professors, they were valuable lessons that helped me grow both in my thinking and design skills,” Van Kieu Giang shared.

For Duong Ngoc Khoa, the journey of completing the project was filled with challenges but also great meaning: “There were times when the difficulties made me feel like I couldn’t overcome them, but thanks to the thorough guidance from my professors and the encouragement from my family and friends, I found the motivation to keep going and complete the project to the best of my ability.”

The achievements today are not only a proud milestone in their educational journey but also an important stepping stone for these two talented students to confidently step into a promising future.

News: Phạm Đỗ Hoàng An

Photos: NVCC