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Zoë Smith

Profession

Alumna, MA Publishing

College

London College of Communication

Person Type

Alumni

Biography

Interview

Zoë Smith graduated from MA Publishing at London College of Communication in 2013 and has since worked as a Junior Editor at Quarto. She recently joined Pearson Education as Digital Content Developer, focusing on their Higher Education products.

Where are you from in the world?

I grew up in Devon in the UK, but I studied foreign languages at UCL for my undergraduate degree so have lived in Bologna in Italy and Montpellier in France.

What are your fondest memories of LCC?

Working lunches in the café, and long days spent either in meetings for our digital projects or in the print workshop, printing, sewing and binding our printed books. I loved being part of a creative institution like LCC, and being able to take advantage of all the degree shows and experience students’ work from other courses. I made some great friends on my course who moved back to various different countries, so LCC also reminds me of them!

What are you working at the moment?

I am just about to start a new job at Pearson Education, working as a Digital Content Developer on their Higher Education products. It’s going to be quite a change from my role as Junior Editor, at Quarto, an illustrated reference publisher. I’m excited to start a new job and use some of the digital skills I learnt during my MA.

Name three things you couldn't be creative without:

A sketchbook, a window to stare out of, and other people to bounce ideas around with.

Tell us about your future plans and ambitions:

I would like to continue working in project management in publishing, or even work in digital strategy, something which I think definitely resulted from reading so much about the changing industry itself during research for my thesis. I want to live in Rome, or southern Italy at some point too.

What three words would you use to best describe LCC?

Synergetic, dynamic, fun.

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

I like to go east to Columbia Road market and Broadway market, or Hackney Wick and sit in one of the many cafés along Regent’s Canal. Everyone in those areas is super creative, and it’s always buzzing. That, or anywhere with a view (the Heron tower, or Parliament Hill), so you get a sense of how big the city is and how many people live here. It always gives you some perspective.