Painter Kim Duan, who participated in designing and illustrating the supplement, granted an interview to Thoi Nay (Present Day), a publication of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, to talk about this special publication.
Q: Can you share us about your working process to realise the theme and concept of the supplement?
Painter Kim Duan: I felt very honoured to be invited to illustrate for the supplement. It was not just about drawing pictures but also designing and presenting them impressively. The supplement reflects important milestones and the overall picture of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
Although I was born after 1975, I have read materials and heard stories about the campaign, so I held that it is crucial to highlight the spirit of the joyous victory day.
The images of two young women holding flowers alongside a dove, or two soldiers holding flags, together with several symbolic details of Viet Nam’s landscape, are icons of peace.
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| Painter Kim Duan |
While designing, I used images from the Military History Institute to illustrate the four most important parts of the campaign.
When laying out the page, many important event milestones shown in text evoked strong emotions in me, which motivated me to convey the great victory day of the nation in a vivid and easily understandable way.
Known as an illustrator and book cover artist, how did you develop your ideas during the supplement’s design to ensure historical accuracy while maintaining a youthful touch for the publication?
As an artist, I must constantly innovate. Designing the supplement posed some pressure to ensure historical elements were accurate. I also held that the supplement must be presented in a youthful and lively manner so that the special supplement can reach a broad readership.
I am confident this supplement will be a lasting printed edition, not just an ordinary journalistic publication.
What do you think when you see people, especially many young readers, lining up to receive the supplement and experience Nhan Dan Newspaper’s interactive exhibition?
Contributing to a special supplement about a major national event is a dream for me. I’m glad the product which I co-worked on is well received and widely shared, especially among young people and students.
Readers can scan four QR codes to watch animated videos using AR technology. As Nhan Dan Newspaper has integrated technology with journalism, this is a very creative approach that draws much interest from readers.
In the context when print newspapers face fierce competition from many entertainment forms, this approach not only inspires me and other journalists in various agencies but also helps to bring readers back to print newspapers.
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| The joy of readers receiving the special supplement of Nhan Dan Newspaper |
What lessons have you learned from this event that you can apply to promote historical and revolutionary war events?
I greatly admire Nhan Dan Newspaper for continuously hosting events that combine technology and media in recent years.
These are very new and bold ideas that help the newspaper become more popular among readers, particularly the youth.
Like other painters, I hope for further coordination with the press in joining formal programmes and participating in similar projects to create products with cultural value and strong historical education.
Thank you so much for your sharing!
