Ioanna Lamprou
Profession
MA Narrative Environments student
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Student
Biography
Ioanna is a final-year MA Narrative Environments student at Central Saint Martins, originally from Athens. With a background in architecture and experience in graphic and exhibition design, her practice focuses on conceptual visual storytelling, combining spatial design with generative imagery and motion graphics.
Interview
Please can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
My name is Ioanna and I am a final-year student at CSM, originally from Athens, Greece. Since moving to the UK, I have completed a Bachelor's in Architecture and worked as a graphic designer, architectural assistant and exhibition designer. The main focus in my professional life has been the production of conceptual visual assets, including 3D and generative imagery and motion graphics!
Why did you choose to study MA Narrative Environments and why CSM?
I chose to study Narrative Environments at Central Saint Martins for a variety of personal and professional reasons. After studying architecture, I realised the importance of speculative thinking in the design of narrative spaces. I had already started developing my experimental spatial practice through shifting my architectural background towards the world of fine art. For me, Narrative Environments was an opportunity to combine my two areas of interest while continuing my design training through the application of my skills in multiple professional disciplines. I was looking for a space where experimentation, original thinking and innovation are not only welcomed but also encouraged! Studying at Central Saint Martins has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I was always attracted by the opportunities that arise across different sectors, including fashion, museums, and urban design!
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?
A highlight of my experience so far has been working on "Blendwear", a project completed collaboratively for the Digital Innovation Season 2025 Earthsuits brief. What made it super interesting was the collaboration with MA Industrial Design students, since the main challenge became the combination of two different design approaches: one focused on practical thinking, and one focused on spatial storytelling! What made the project so good for me was the trust between our group members, which made me realise the importance of finding strategic ways to combine various inputs into one design composition. I also enjoyed working on the project graphics, which aligns with my background and interests! To this day, this project has been exhibited across different London locations, including storefronts and galleries, making this whole process rewarding and professionally valuable!
Have you completed any work placements / internships whilst being on the course? If so, can you tell me a little bit about your role?
'During my first year, I completed a placement with Rosa Pascual, a London based exhibition designer. I assisted the 3D modelling of a large-scale museum exhibition event, while getting to work on mocking-up the showcase's graphics and on some post-production editing!
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
My main advice would be bold with experimentation and with developing your skill set in unknown areas. Narrative Environments teaches you to transform narratives into spatial stories and designs in the way that communicates them best! It is very easy to stay in your comfort zone, but every story is different and requires a variety of design techniques to be told. My main tip is, therefore, to remember that if other people can do it, so can you! The team at CSM, the workshop technicians and the tutors are there to help you and I advise to work with them any chance you get, it will really make your projects stand out!
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
The sense of community at CSM is an amazing motivator to come into university and to give it your all! Being at CSM, you make so many connections and friendships who you are able to connect with on a deeper level through shared experiences. Your friends become your collaborators, making studying in this university an unforgettable time where you can work with people who know your strengths and push you accordingly. I am also a big fan of the environment at the Mixed Reality Lab, I love working with other students there and there is always a professional technician there to guide you through your projects, making it a less stressful working space. It is very easy to call CSM a second home :) (also, big credit to the UAL Catering Team!)
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years time?
In five years time, I would love to have my own design practice, focusing on experience design, generative visuals and motion graphics. My aspiration is to work in projects spanning from the music industry to fine art, including museum installations, immersive experiences and real-time visualisations!
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
To be fearless! MA Narrative Environments pushes you to take each project to heights you thought you'd never reach before. I have learnt to approach each brief as a client to do right by, which inspires a consistent and positive expansion in my interests and designs. The course really encourages students to explore new and developing design areas and methodologies, and I believe that my engagement with those has made me a better and more dedicated professional! I have also learnt and appreciated the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in storytelling from various angles, leading to stronger and more compelling narrative environments!