As part of our Graduate Residency Programme, supporting LCC graduates in the rapid development of innovative projects which have the potential for significant social change or economic impact, we’re catching up with the progress of the 4 projects.
Lisa Matzi – UX Designer
Lisa is from Vienna, Austria. She has graduated from LCC’s BA (Hons) Design for Graphic Communication (now BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design) course in 2015. Lisa is a product designer, using design-thinking methodologies to develop and improve digital products and services. Lisa’s work for the residency focuses on creating a podcast about ‘Diversity in the Creative Industries’, an ‘open mic’ giving voice to students, staff and teachers. See Lisa’s website.
We caught up with Lisa to find out more about her practice and what she’s working on as part of the Graduate Residency Programme…
Which course did you graduate from?
BA (Hons) Design for Graphic Communication (now BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design).
Where are you from in the world?
Vienna, Austria.
What have you been up to since you graduated? How has your work evolved since you left LCC?
I have gone straight into freelancing and explored the startup scene here in London. My design practice has quite evolved since I graduated. I am now a product designer with a strong focus on user experience design and research. I have worked with multiple clients, big and small. From the freelancer money managing app Coconut to carrying out research for the Post Office, I have done a fair amount of different work.
How would you describe your practice?
Very research and evidence-based. I like creating products that fulfil a purpose or need. I rarely make things for the sake of making them. I believe in design through data. When I am solving a specific problem I always try and get to the root problem first, usually by interviewing end users or observing them using the product or service I am working on. I think design shouldn’t be created in a vacuum. It should be informed by the environment it will live in.
Why did you apply for the LCC Graduate Residency Programme?
Because I wanted to learn a new skill while at the same time nurturing my curiosity for other human beings – which I guess is a shared trait in every UX designer. I enjoy meeting new people and finding out what drives them, frustrates them or makes them go nuts. I thought the Residency Program would be a good place to do this while also reliving my time as a student at LCC.
What does this year’s theme of Diverse Communities mean to you?
It is a theme very close to my heart and it is rather important in times like these. The reason I moved to London 3 years ago was the diversity of this city, College and course. I wanted to study, learn and work with people that think differently and have different opinions. I wanted to experience all of it and London and LCC was the right place for me to do that.
What are the ideas that you’d like to develop whilst on the LCC Graduate Residency Programme?
I am currently working on a podcast series. The format of it has evolved quite a lot since I started recording material. Mainly because the interviews that I did were 10 times better than I had expected. I am now working on getting all of those conversations in a bite-sized format before I publish them.
What do you find most challenging/rewarding about making work?
It’s challenging to keep myself motivated if I am working on something on my own. My brain can be really good at sabotaging my work flow – jumping from one random thought to another and also making me want to check Instagram on a regular basis.
It’s rewarding when you get over yourself and put stuff out there – that always feels like winning the lottery, even more so when people react to it and comment on your work. When they tell you they loved it, it made them think, it made them change something in their lives – that is certainly the most rewarding .
What do you listen to when you’re making work?
If I really have to focus I don’t listen to anything because I find it distracting. If I am doing a repetitive task I will listen to a podcast though – my current favourites are Stance and Dear Sugars.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Anywhere and everywhere – I don’t think it’s something I find in a particular place. Usually inspiration comes to me when my brain has made some weird connection between old stuff that’s been floating around and new impressions and experiences.
What’s your favourite place in Elephant and Castle?
The Elephant Park!
What does your workspace look like? Do you have a studio?
I don’t have a studio but usually alternate between my home in Finsbury Park, the Southbank Centre, LCC or a nice little cafe with tasty vegan food.
What’s the best show you saw in the last 12 months?
Andreas Gursky at the Hayward Gallery – I could have spent hours in there, in fact I think I did.
See more of Lisa’s projects on her website.
- Find out more about BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design at LCC
- See more projects involved in the Graduate Residency Programme
- Follow us on Instagram to see LCC behind-the-scenes