Molly Taylor

Profession

MA Publishing, Alumni

College

London College of Communication

Person Type

Alumni

Biography

Interview

Molly studied MA Publishing at LCC from 2013-2014. While on the course she became became Communications Manager at art culture magazine Elephant, where her role includes relationship management, media sales and development strategy. She also co-created a poetry and art zine called Digress.

What did you study at LCC and what year did you graduate?

I studied MA Publishing from 2013-14. I’m currently waiting to graduate!

Where are you from in the world?

I’m from Plymouth in the South-West of England. It’s a beautiful place and I love it, but it’s very tucked away and lacking a certain dynamism when it comes to culture.

What are your fondest memories of LCC?

I loved the occasions that we had to stay late in the Publishing Room, working furiously on our projects like we were all producers in a newsroom. Aside from the many funny classroom moments, highlights were volunteering at the Digital Magazine Awards, the trip to Budapest, and chairing the annual Publishing Innovation Conference. Also, the café pastries.

What are you working at the moment?

I work at quarterly contemporary art magazine, Elephant, where I’m the Communications Manager. I was lucky enough to get the job while still on the course and so I’ve been there for going on 10 months now.

My role involves all manner of things from media sales to digital strategy, but mostly revolves around managing the relationships that the magazine has with galleries internationally. It involves a lot of meetings, travelling and being on the phone. The best bits are working as part of a small, tight-knit team, and having lots of creative freedom. I’m very happy there.

I also produce a poetry and art zine called Digress with my friend Megan Conery. It’s a slow-burner, but it’s going to be great!

Tell us about your future plans and ambitions:

I want to do so much! I think what interests me most is how magazine brands are diversifying their output to survive financially; moving into events, book publishing, agency work. I’d like to keep working in small teams, on titles that I really believe in, and find ways to grow the brands and create really solid reader communities. I think working in a creative agency would be loads of fun, too. That’s definitely something I’d like to do in the future.

What drives you to succeed?

I don’t think I’m hugely ambitious in the traditional sense. I’m just really genuinely interested in the area I’m working in. I put in a lot of effort because publishing is fascinating to me and I want to contribute meaningfully to it in some way. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that one day!

What three words would you use to best describe LCC?

Filled with possibility.

What piece of advice would you give to new students?

I’d say try not to think of the course as something you just happen to be doing three days a week while you live in London. Think of it as a year-long, all-encompassing experience and go at 100mph during the whole thing, picking up as much knowledge and experience as you can. Ask loads of questions in class and work on as many side-projects as you can.

Where in London do you go when you need a little inspiration?

I love the canal systems around north London. Going to great shows at London galleries is always a lovely thing to do at the weekend, too.

Related area

View the MA Publishing course page.