As part of our ongoing commitment to industry-focused creative education and ensuring our graduates are prepared for the Design, Media and Screen industries as soon as they graduate, London College of Communication welcomed 50 experts through the Industry Mentoring Scheme.
LCC's Industry Mentoring Scheme aims to encourage and support postgraduate students in their transition from education to industry, matching postgraduate students with industry professionals.
With the industry experts ranging from leading designers to photographers, top journalists to branding experts, and more, we decided we’d catch up with a few of the mentors to find out a little about them. Here, we sit down with freelance photo editor and producer Annie Masciavè…
Annie Masciavè
Annie Masciavè is a graduate of LCC’s MA Publishing course and currently collaborates with Lampoon, where she commissions and produces both photography and video content. You can find some of her recent work in magazines such as Interview and Dazed & Confused as well as for brands like Hermés and Vivienne Westwood.
Hi Annie, could you please tell us a bit about yourself — your background and interests?
I have a background in music and performing arts, however my main focus has shifted towards visuals and fashion imagery with an ever-growing obsession for independent magazines. After studying MA Publishing at LCC, I went on to intern at as many magazines and brands as possible and after a while I started working as a producer and photo editor. Magazines are still my main passion and I spend most of my time and energy looking for rare publications and new titles.
What do you hope to achieve through the scheme?
I’m here because I feel strongly about the role of emerging talent in the creative industries – without young creatives there is no progression. I’m always on the lookout for fresh image-makers to commission and push forward. I’ll also learn from the scheme – talking to students who are able to create work without any market needs in mind is the best way to stay truly creative and refresh your mind-set.
What skills and expertise do you think you bring as a mentor?
I’m working with some of the most interesting publications and agencies around – this means I can share a lot of current and relevant information on how the industry works, what reasoning goes behind a commissioner’s choice to work with someone, what’s on trend and how to judge whether a fashion image is good or not. I can also share lots of advice (and sympathy!) on how to go through that awkward stage in between the end of your studies and starting a career in the fashion industry.
Why did you consider LCC for a mentor scheme?
I did my Masters at LCC and I loved it – it’s important to give back to an institution that has shaped the beginning of my career so much. Also, the talent coming out of LCC at the moment is of real interest for me from a commissioner’s point of view.
What knowledge or advice do you hope to share with your mentees?
From my experience in the industry I can share as much information as possible on how the industry works. Even if mentees don’t want to work specifically in fashion, I can share knowledge related to career development and strategy, as well as alternative routes to earn some money while still keeping a focus on their art work and portfolio building.
Why do you feel it is important for graduates to get industry knowledge and experience through a mentor?
Mentors are your best contacts for first jobs after university and they can share practical/relevant/industry-specific advice that is hard to find in any book. Graduates can gain realistic advice on what to do next, as well as an insider view of the industry they’re wanting to work in.
How did you get started in the field?
In the year after I graduated I interned at a lot of different companies whilst trying to create as many contacts as I could and tried to experience as many different environments, roles and situations as possible. After assisting for another year I made the choice to throw myself into a quite challenging mid-level role.
If there was any advice you wished you had received when first starting out, what would it be?
Don’t ever freak out if you see a good challenge ahead – it’s your chance to prove yourself and move forward faster than you thought.
Find out more about LCC’s Industry Mentoring Scheme or follow Annie on Twitter.
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