Minh Hieu Nguyen, a student on the MA Illustration course at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has fought off stiff competition from over 800 entries to become one of the winners of the 2024 New Blood: The Portfolios Competition.
Minh, better known as Dala, was a former creative planning manager in marketing communication and now specialises in narrative and packaging illustrations. Dala says on the win, “I was thrilled to win such a prestigious award for my portfolio. I entered my best works from the year I’ve been at Arts University Bournemouth.”
“My portfolio contains projects varying from global issues such as fast fashion, to breast cancer in developing countries, littering on the beach, art performance theatre, and even agriculture produce.”
“My research aims to show that we can live in a better world by tackling issues step by step and preserving culture. I believe that even the smallest effort should be recognised and applauded to give people the motivation to continue with the bigger movement. Via my illustrations, I want to advocate and spread the strong messages to audiences and encourage them to take action.”
“This portfolio win is very well-deserved!" comments Jenni Saarenkylä, MA Illustration Course Leader at AUB. "Dala’s bold use of colour and composition bring his illustrations to life with emotion and creates a valued connection with the audience.”
This win comes as Dala's latest success of this year. Back in March, he contributed illustrations to the Green Fashion exhibition, hosted by London South Bank University. The exhibition, part of research by Dr Mai Khanh Tran, attracted over 1,000 visitors in five days.
For the exhibition, Dala created two illustrations embodying the essence of sustainable design, as well as a further 11 to showcase the various real-life applications of ramie, a fibre similar to linen, made from the stalks of the Chinese nettle plant.
