Design for Visual Communication

Valentina D’Efilippo
Nick Hearne
Margot Lombaert
Susanna Foppoli

Valentina D’Efilippo

Design & Creative Director

OddityViz, 2017

Job before DVC: Industrial Designer
DVC year: 2007
Website: www.valentinadefilippo.co.uk

Where did you initially come from before joining DVC? what was your background? Oh, where to start! I'm originally from Italy, and I graduated with a BA in Industrial Design at the Politecnico in Turin. During my last year at university I moved to Valencia with the Erasmus programme and I had this eye-opening encounter with visual communication – taking some elective courses like branding, photography, and graphic design. It was like finding a missing puzzle piece—I knew I had to pivot towards visual communication. Industrial design was cool and all, but I craved something more immediate, where you could see the fruits of your labor without the laborious distribution and industrial process. So after graduation, I landed in London to brush up on my English (which was, let's be honest, pretty dismal at the time) and while workingat a restaurant in Bond Street I started my Postgraduate Diploma in visual communication at LCC. And boy, am I glad I did!

Why did you initially chose to do this course? After a few rejections from MA programmes (ouch, right?), I stumbled upon the postgraduate Diploma. Not only was it a financial relief, but it also felt like the perfect stepping stone to build up a portfolio to then apply for an MA or finding a job. The diversity and practical approach of the course were just what I needed. Plus, the I absolutely loved it, how international and diverse the class was – it was like this melting pot of creativity and ideas from all over the globe.

How do you remember your time? what do you remember most? The Postgraduate Diploma year was nothing short of magical. Every assignment brings back a flood of happy memories. The hands-on approach was a breath of fresh air compared to the lecture-heavy style back in Italy. And the people—I made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. From Canada to Japan, I've got buddies in every corner of the world thanks to that course. And Tony Pritchard, our tutor, was just the cherry on top. His support and belief in me were game-changers for my confidence.

Have you got any stories to share? My postgraduate thesis on Gender Stereotypes turned out to be a pivotal project in my life. Imagine my surprise when, five years after graduation, Harper Collins reached out to me to coauthor and illustrate my first book: The Infographic History of the World. That project catapulted me into the dataviz world, and I haven't looked back since.

DVC Final Major Project: ‘White’

What happened after the course? Where are you now? The course was instrumental in helping me build a solid portfolio. Right after graduation, I landed not one, but two design internships, both of which led to full-time job offers. The course helped me discover my knack for blending art and science, design and data. This love for deconstructing complexity and using design to explore and explain the world has stayed with me. It's been an exhilarating journey that has taken me to win many awards and collaborate with diverse organizations, from startups to global brands, in various fields and formats, including theatre performances, exhibitions, and digital platforms. I have also co-authored two books "The Infographic History of the World," available in eleven languages, and the innovative "Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica," a children's encyclopedia filled with facts and infographics about the universe, wildlife, and human anatomy.

How did you implement your experience from the course in your career? The principles of hierarchy and composition ingrained in me during the course, proved to be incredibly versatile. I've since dabbled in everything from digital apps to books, exhibitions, and even spatial design and theatre performances.

MeToomentun, 2018