Vietnamese Language Textbook
The Challenges
Through many education reforms, as well as textbook changes, Vietnamese textbooks still could not serve their main audience: the students. The content of the newer textbooks became heavier and more complicating than the previous ones. The textbook for first graders became a main topic for debate and concern among researchers, parents and educators.
A spread from the newest first grade language textbook.
The Solution
With the goal is to create a textbook for children to actually read and learn, "Em và Tiếng Việt " is designed with two aims in mind: better visuals and better content. The illustrations and subject matter are inspired by Vietnamese traditional imagery and art. For the content, new letters only allow to appear after being introduced to students in previous pages. The layout has to be simple and clean to not overwhelm the young readers.
The Inspiration
Looking back at the old textbooks, although they were not perfect, however, they were more user-friendly compared to the new ones with more systematic and simple illustrations as well as content. The old textbook became the main inspiration to build "Em và Tiếng Việt ".
A spread from the older version of first grade language textbook.
The visual language for "Em và Tiếng Việt " is inspired by Vietnamese folk art woodblock prints: Đông Hồ. The majority of subject matter and characters are designed based on Vietnamese and Eastern imagery.
"Rat's wedding", a popular example of Đông Hồ folk art.
Interior
Cover
Classroom Posters
