HSU Mascot: A Creative Tribute by Digital Art Students for HSU’s 35th Anniversary

The 35th anniversary of HSU is not only a milestone of growth, but also a moment filled with pride and emotion. To commemorate this occasion, the Digital Art program presented the University with a meaningful gift: the HSU mascot. Created by students and refined alongside lecturers, the mascot evolved from a 2D concept into complete 3D-printed models, reflecting HSU’s hands-on learning environment and creative spirit.

The transformation of ideas through the Digital Art students’ creative practice

To celebrate the 35-year milestone of Hoa Sen University (HSU), Digital Art students created HSU mascot designs under the guidance of lecturers, bringing the designs from 2D concepts to fully realized 3D-printed models that embody creativity and applied learning.

The project was developed through two independent phases. Ms. Cao My Duyen, a 2021 cohort student of the Digital Art program, first designed the mascots in 2D as part of a classroom assignment. Following the completion of the artwork, Mr. Phan Vu Linh, MA, Artist and Director of the HSU Digital Art program, tasked Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh, a fourth-year Digital Art student, with transforming the designs into 3D models. Despite coming from different classes and not participating in the same course, the two students each contributed an essential part of the creative process.

The project reflects the open and flexible learning spirit at HSU, where students can collaborate across different stages of the creative process while still expressing their own artistic identity. Each contribution becomes an essential piece in completing the final mascot.

To better understand the story behind this special creation, HSU interviewed the two students involved in the project to learn more about the idea development, implementation process, and the values expressed through the mascot designs.

The 2D drawing creative process journey

Ms. Cao My Duyen aims to build a career in character design and illustration. She is driven by a passion for creating iconic characters that tell stories and connect emotionally with viewers. To her, HSU is a place that supports her growth and helps her develop creative thinking.

Assigned the opportunity to work on the HSU mascot designs project under the guidance and trust of Mr. Phan Vu Linh, My Duyen focused on developing designs that ensure professional value while also enhancing HSU’s image.

During the conceptualization process, she designed the mascot to embody youthfulness, friendliness, and energy, reflecting the vibrant and creative identity of HSU students.

“HSU is not just where I study, but also an environment that nurtures my growth and gives me the confidence to pursue my creativity. I focus on creating a character with a distinct personality that is easily recognizable and has strong potential for long-term development. Beyond being a symbol, the mascot can evolve into an image closely tied to the HSU community through various activities”, Duyen added.

Furthermore, her biggest challenge lay in balancing her personal creativity with the role of representing the HSU’s overall identity. The mascot needed to be visually appealing while also reflecting the spirit and values upheld by HSU. What she found most meaningful was the ability to develop it into a full visual system, where the main mascot could expand into multiple versions, expressions, and contexts, allowing it to become more dynamic and flexible across different media applications.

From 2D designs to fully realized 3D-printed models

Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh pursued modeling and diorama, driven by his interest in form and technology. Through the ZBrush course under Mr. Phan Vu Linh’s instruction, he was introduced to the HSU 3D lab and trained in the application of 3D printing technology. Working from miniature to large-scale models, he and his peers progressively enhanced their competencies in file processing, modeling, and product fabrication.

After being entrusted by Mr. Phan Vu Linh with the task of creating 3D-printed mascot models for HSU’s 35th anniversary, Cong Minh began bringing the original 2D designs into a complete 3D form. The project was completed over the course of approximately one month, from concept development and 3D file production to printing and final finishing.

“Through these 3D models, I hoped to convey the story of the 35-year development of HSU, a place that preserves memories and inspires generations of students”, Minh claimed.

While retaining the key elements of the original designs, including HSU’s distinctive form and signature blue color, the models are further enhanced with a more youthful-looking uniform. The production process demanded careful attention to both proportions and aesthetics. Minh spent significant time fine-tuning printing parameters such as temperature and speed, resolving issues like warping and detail loss, and selecting suitable materials to ensure the models’ durability and final quality.

For him, beyond the final product, the greatest value of the project lay in strengthening his patience, teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities, and passion for innovative technology. The 3D mascot reflects a spirit of innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking.

He told: “Through this project, I learned the importance of patience, improved my problem-solving skills, and gained greater confidence in the value of hands-on learning”.

Where HSU Students Bring Creativity to Life

Beyond designing the main mascot, My Duyen has also envisioned mascot versions representing different Faculties, contributing to a more unified visual identity for HSU. 

At the same time, Cong Minh and his peers have been exploring the development of mascot-themed art toys and keychains, expanding the project into products that can engage more closely with HSU student life.

From an initial course assignment to completed 3D-printed models, the HSU mascot designs project highlights HSU’s practice-oriented learning environment, where students are encouraged to transform ideas into real products. At HSU, students are embraced in a learning environment where they are encouraged to experiment, guided by lecturers, and entrusted with projects that contribute meaningful value to the community.

 More than just a creative project, it reflects the proactive learning mindset, technological application skills, and aspirations of HSU students in carrying forward and further developing the 35-year legacy.