Meet: Anna Beaujolin

You completed your MA in Narrative Environments at CSM in 2020. What was that experience like? 

I absolutely loved it. At the time, I was also working remotely for a big communication agency, so it was incredibly challenging. Alongside my corporate responsibilities I found myself in a completely different world: an art school in London filled with creative young minds questioning and reinventing everything. It was both stimulating and exhausting. Looking back, it was also very humbling.

In the corporate world, if you’re lucky, you keep learning, but most of the time you know what you’re doing. Going back to university means accepting that you don’t. Your brain isn’t wired the same way anymore, and at first, it’s incredibly frustrating. But is there anything better than learning again?

On top of that, I went through a personal tragedy that forced me to pause for a few weeks. The support and kindness I received from the academic team and my fellow students was incredible.

And then, COVID hit. I ended up completing the final months of my master’s remotely from Switzerland. Those 2 years were hectic but it was for the entire world.

What led you to choose the course? Can you tell us a bit more about your background? 

Looking back, the choice makes perfect sense, but it wasn’t obvious at the time. I was at a point in my career where I was searching for something more and had been thinking about going back to study for a while. I’ve always loved storytelling, whether through theatre (I'm still secretly dreaming of directing one day) or architecture, something which has always influenced me, having  growing up in a family of architects. I developed a sensitivity to aesthetics, how spaces shape our experiences, and how people live together. This course brought it all together and challenged me to think in completely new ways.

My background in a nutshell: French-German. I was born and raised in Paris, alongside my 5 brothers (important), then moved to Switzerland as a teenager.  I earned my Bachelor's degree from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne. I've lived and worked in Paris, Beijing, London, and Geneva. I spent over a decade at a big communication agency managing high-profile projects worldwide and driving change and sustainability strategies for major clients.

Since graduating, you’ve set up your own advisory agency – where you work with a wide variety of clients to make them more sustainable in both their ethos and their practice. What led you to setting up your own agency? 

Freedom, in every sense of the word. I wanted to choose who I work with, where, and how. It also gave me the flexibility to pursue multiple personal and professional projects at the same time. But let’s be honest, with freedom comes the stress of financial uncertainty, the constant need to seek new opportunities, and the challenge of managing everything on your own. Still, I wouldn’t trade it.

Where did you passion for sustainability start? 

I’ve always had a deep sense of duty and understood that privilege comes with responsibility. I initially thought I’d work in humanitarian aid and got involved with small organisations early on. That didn’t happen, but I started working with mission-driven clients, discovering different ways to tackle global issues.

At one point, I planned to shift into microcredit and even started preparing for an MBA. But just as I opened the book, my former boss called, asking if I’d help make their company and clients more sustainable. I said yes, and the rest is history. Driving change within companies has been one of the most constructive experiences. It forces you to think outside the box, stay curious, collaborate, and never stop learning. It’s a never-ending process, but so worth it.

What are the challenges that you most encounter as a freelancer? 

After over a decade of working in teams, adjusting to being alone in the day-to-day has been tricky. It’s not just about missing practical support. like someone handling admin, design, or IT issues. It’s also about not having people to bounce ideas or frustrations off.

You have to build a professional support system over time: peers, mentors, friends who can provide advice or encouragement when you need it. This requires nurturing your network, expanding your horizons, and reaching out to people for connections.

Can you tell us about any highlights? 

Signing my first client was a major milestone. Suddenly, you’re on the front line. Alone.

Connect with Anna:

Find out more about studying at Central Saint Martins:

• MA Narrative Environments
• Central Saint Martins