As part of the student experience at London College of Communication (LCC), our undergraduate students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by participating in our exchange programme.
The College connects with leading, like-minded institutions from around the world to give our diverse student body the opportunity to develop global networks in places like Berlin, New York and Sydney.
Through this experience, our students benefit from an international perspective as they graduate and become creatives at the forefront of their industries. We also welcome students from other universities to experience the College, bringing knowledge back with them as they complete their degrees overseas.
Born in France but having spent much of her life all living abroad, Claire Olibet studied Global Design at IADE Lisbon. Through LCC’s exchange programme, she applied to study for a semester on the BA (Hons) Art Direction course at the College. Fast forward to present day and Claire is planning to Elephant and Castle for her Master’s at LCC – choosing to study MA Graphic Branding and Identity.
We caught up with Claire to discuss her experience of the exchange application process, what it was like studying at LCC and living in London, plus her reasons for returning to the College for further study.
During my Bachelor’s degree, I studied a wide range of design disciplines, ranging from product design to UX/UI, and even game design. However, I discovered a particular interest for graphic design, especially in the field of branding and identity.
I have always been drawn to the creative world, which encouraged me to focus on the arts in high school. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I used the free time I had to explore new hobbies like linocut and intaglio printing, as well as pottery. These activities encouraged me to pursue a career in art and design.
At the time, I knew I wanted to work in the creative field. However, I was unsure of the area I wanted specialise in. This is why I chose to study ‘Global Design’, which allowed me to experiment with various disciplines. The course also included a mandatory semester abroad, which I saw as a great opportunity to gain international experience.
I was already considering UAL for my future Master’s studies, so I saw this exchange program as the perfect way to experience the university firsthand. The application process was very straightforward - the LCC Mobility team was always very responsive and helpful in every step of the process.
During my time at LCC, I tried to make the most of the university’s facilities by participating in weekly workshops. I completed induction trainings in screen printing, letterpress and risoprinting, and also attended technical workshops to learn more about digital tools like the Adobe Suite and Blender.
These workshops were definitely my favourite part about studying at LCC. They allowed me to work with new techniques and facilities, which I could then access independently to develop my own projects.
My exchange at LCC, where I joined the Art Direction BA, allowed me develop new perspectives on how design is taught and practiced. The projects were very independent and open-ended, encouraging us to undertake our own research whilst experimenting with various tools and techniques.
Currently, I am focused on successfully completing my MA in Graphic Branding and Identity. I aim to build expertise in this field to secure an internship or possibly my first job here in London.
I decided to come back to LCC because I was already drawn to the opportunities the university offers, both personally and professionally. I was further influenced by my positive experience as an Erasmus student!
My advice to students is to make the most of the resources available at the university. Participate in workshops, attend social events, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone - it will help help you make invaluable connections, whether that may be new friendships or even professional opportunities!
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