DPS ALUMNI Q&A: MARION BISSERIER

Which course did you study at LCC?

I studied BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design in the Design School at the London College of Communication. In my final year at LCC I designed Good Girl Font. Good Girl is a display typeface designed as a response to the lack of female representation in the type design industry. Available in three weights, Good Girl addresses the issue of female visibility within the field by exploring the occupation of space both in typographic form and political expression.   

Tell us about your current role and what you're currently working on.

Right now I am working with a foundry on expanding my typeface: Good Girl in to more characters. Afterwards, I will be starting a Freelance Junior Design position at APFEL which I’m really excited about!

What made you choose the DPS opportunity?

The opportunity to gain a practical understanding of the industry, build a network, find out what kind of designer I want to be and make mistakes before I leave university for my career.

Where did you go for your DPS year? Tell us a little bit about your experience:

I first worked for three months as an intern in a four people Parisian studio called Artworklove which specialises in print for cultural brands. Later, I started my six month internship at Pentagram on Marina Willer’s team in London where I had the opportunity to do more branding. Finally, I did a one-week summer course at Fraser Muggeridge’s Typography Summer School to improve my typographic skills and meet other young designers.

What's the most important thing you learned from doing the DPS year?

To always think one step ahead and be prepared because opportunities come and go faster than you would expect. Always keep updating your portfolio and know how to present yourself and your work efficiently. Be straightforward and honest at interviews about what you can bring to the team and what you want to get out of the job. Remember it is a two way street!

How did DPS alter your future ambitions?

Yes! I knew I wanted to become a graphic designer when I joined my course but I had no idea how many different specialisms existed before I embarked on the DPS journey. After my experience at Pentagram and TSS, I realised I really enjoyed typography and wanted to make it central to my career. Also in terms of work environment, I learned that I am most efficient in a team and need the social interaction of a design studio to perform at my best.

Would you recommend a DPS year to other students and if so, why?

100%! Firstly because it allows you to experiment and see what the industry is like without running too much risk, because you are still at uni and are supported by the DPS tutors. Secondly because it will refine your career ambitions and will allow you to produce better, cleaner and stronger work in your final year’s portfolio which is crucial to apply to full-time jobs after your studies. Finally, it will give you a head start in your job search because you would have started to build your own network.

What advice would you give to students applying for the DPS year?

Be open about the job opportunities as long as they are paid and can teach you something. You will not be defined by a single internship so don’t be too picky about your first placement and if it doesn’t quite work out, think of it as the opportunity to bounce back and learn from your mistakes. Make the opportunities happen rather than solely rely on job searches like LinkedIn or The Dots. Don’t be afraid to send someone a reminder (within reasonably spaced timing) if they haven’t got back to you. They’re not ignoring you on purpose — designers are busy people!

What was the best thing about your time at LCC and why?

It would be the sense of community and the dedication of the tutors in preparing us for the industry. From day one you understand that LCC is your safe space, that the tutors are here for you but also that you should be here for your peers because you’re all on the same boat to success in the creative industry, which is at the end of the day a very collaborative field. I think LCC prepared us very well for that.

Is there a particular person who shaped your university experience or creative outlook?

I can’t pick just one! Christian Granados, the letterpress technician, for pushing me to get my hands dirty and teaching me that typography requires patience. John-Patrick Harnett, my thesis supervisor, for encouraging me to question the industry and see research as an essential component to design. Paul McNeil for his invaluable support with my final major project Good Girl.

 Where do you go for inspiration?

It really depends on the nature of the project but I tend to not look too much at what other graphic designers are doing because unconsciously it makes me focus on aesthetics and not concept. I get more creative by looking at other disciplines like product, fashion or interior design and see how they’ve solved a similar problem with different tools. I also like to read or visit exhibitions related to the topics I’m working on.   

Website/Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/marionbisserier/

http://www.marionbisserier.com/index.html

TYPE: Good Girl Typeface