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Graduating from MA Data Visualisation*, Samantha Shannon is now a senior data journalist at Beyond Works Studio. The Studio has a long history with London College of Communication (LCC) and Samantha joined while finishing her final major project at the College.
Tell us a little bit about you, what are you working on at the moment?
I spent the last six years living in London, which was when I did the MA Data Visualisation course at LCC. I recently made the move back to the east coast of Canada.
Right now, I’m a senior data journalist at Beyond Words Studio (I work remotely). The Studio was one of the few and most prominent data visualisation studios when I was studying. It felt like the place to be. So, I set my sights on working there, and luckily it worked out.
At Beyond Words, I get to help clients communicate their data to their audiences. Making it easy to understand, engage with, and most importantly, care about. I enjoy the challenge of breaking down the barriers between people and data.
The Studio has maintained a close relationship with LCC and the course while I’ve been there. I've had the opportunity to collaborate with the programme through workshops and talks. It’s great to keep up with the students each year, and of course, Henrietta—the brilliant course leader!
Why did you choose to study your course at LCC and how has it helped you to get where you are now?
I love data visualisation and wanted to make it my career, but it took me a while to find it.
I had a career spanning communication strategy, research, design, and illustration. This was before I got into data analytics. When I first entered the data field, I felt I was particularly good at communicating data and making it easy to understand. We have to make data relatable, interesting, and engaging for most of the world to pay attention to it. Design plays a huge role in this, and I saw that as an opportunity.
I wanted to step out of the formally technical data world into the relatively new field of being creative with data. The MA Data Visualisation course at LCC helped me make that leap. It provided me with the right tools to move forward in a career in data visualisation.
What was the highlight of studying at LCC?
The real highlight for me was confirming that I was on the right path.
The course deepened my passion and love for the field of data visualisation. It was amazing to meet so many like-minded people who shared my interest, especially when it was considered quite a niche area. It has grown a lot since then.
I still keep in touch with friends from the course, and it's always exciting to hear about the fascinating projects and jobs they are involved in now.
What kinds of projects and collaborations did you work on during the course?
I was in the program me during parts of the pandemic lockdowns, so we had to get creative with our projects since we were mostly stuck inside our flats.
I find a lot of inspiration in pop culture, and I love finding the crossover with data. For example, I worked on projects analysing the surge in popularity of TV shows like The Queen’s Gambit, exploring the baking bread trend during the pandemic, examining my own Spotify listening habits, and even creating a year in reflection using Lego blocks.
I also got to explore some new mediums, like screen printing and projection mapping. Throughout the course, we engaged in interesting collaborations, such as ecosystem mapping and community programmes like Healthy Streets.
For my final project, I focused on a topic that I’m passionate about and, fortunately, get to explore every day at work: the importance of helping people understand data.
What top tips would you give for prospective students who are applying to study at postgraduate level at LCC?
Think about how this postgraduate course could build on your personal and professional background. Even if it doesn't seem related at first, data influences so much of our world – the ability to communicate data visually can enhance any skill set or interest you have.
Choose a final project that truly excites you. This is your opportunity to dive deep, dissect everything about the subject, and explore its broader impact. Plus, there’s a chance this project could carry over into your professional life after you graduate.
*The course is now named MA Design for Data Visualisation.
Visit the MA Design for Data Visualisation course page
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7514 6500