Design for Visual Communication

Valentina D’Efilippo
Nick Hearne
Margot Lombaert
Susanna Foppoli

Margot Lombaert

Creative Director

Piazza restaurant - branding

Job before DVC: Research & Fabric development
DVC year: 2013
Website: www.lombaertstudio.com

What was your background before joining DVC? Prior to moving to the UK and joining LCC, I studied fashion design in Paris at the Atelier Chardon Savard. I then worked for Hermès and Givenchy where I developed bespoke fabrics, prints, and embroideries for the menswear collections.

Why did you initially chose to do this course? I was drawn to the projects showcased on the UAL website and the opportunity to build a portfolio in just one year of studying. Returning to study after several years in industry, my budget was limited, and this course offered the professional practice and type of portfolio I was seeking. It also welcomed students with no prior education in graphics, if they had worked in a professional environment for a few years before joining the course. The PGDip DVC is the only course I applied to.

What do you remember most? I had a fantastic time during the course, the abundance of resources that we had access to was incredibly useful and inspiring. I'm deeply grateful to all the fantastic teachers, designers and technicians who supported me in developing my projects throughout the year.

Have you got any stories to share? Being a student opens a lot of doors that you wouldn’t be able to access if you weren’t affiliated with a university. People were willing to help and support passionate students as they are not reaching for commercial purposes. For my major project I designed and built a graphic installation in a library in France. I had some press in local newspapers and the project got the attention of different studios, allowing me to transition from a university project to professional life.

What happened after the course? Where are you now? During the course, I became deeply interested in environmental graphics and museum design. I began freelancing for interior design studios and while I was at Plaid, an exhibition design studio, they gave me the opportunity to design the graphics for a major exhibition at the British Library. It was an incredible project and I worked really hard to prove that I was worthy of the chance offered to me. I will always be thankful to Plaid for trusting me with the project. Over the years, I gradually acquired my own clients and transitioned from freelancer to running my own design studio

DVC Final Major Project: ‘Words’

How did you implement your experience from the course in your career? The course provided me with a portfolio that led to interviews after graduation. Using the different facilities at LCC provided practical understanding of print processes which were complementary to what I had learned from my previous experience at Hermès and Givenchy. I only studied graphics for one year and there was a lot more to learn, but it equipped me with the tools to unlock further knowledge and skills. Being a designer is about challenging your initial thoughts and responses. Remaining curious and maintaining excitement for learning are the most important aspects to continue progressing and improving as a designer but also as a human being.

Lydhust hospitality - branding