MA Narrative Environments

Global Alumni Sharing Event

screenshot from a zoom call with 15 participants faces.

MA Narrative Environments recently held its’ first global ‘In Practice’ Alumni Sharing Event, bringing together our amazing graduate community on zoom.

The event was an opportunity for alumni to connect with each-other across the world and share the work they have been doing since graduating with current students.

black and white sketches of the speakers at the alumni event.
portrait sketches by Lucy Carruthers done during the alumni zoom call

Building on our popular ‘In Practice’ interview blog series that follows the career trajectories of MA Narrative Environments graduates, we were delighted to have four talented alumni present their work at the alumni event: 

Mara Colombo is a designer and multifaceted art director with an established track record in translating digital forms into bespoke stories for cultural institutions and private clients.

Mara is dedicated to visualising complex ideas as viable projects from the small screen to large physical environments. Her far-reaching expertise connects video production with graphic design as well as providing dedicated project management. 

screenshot from Mara’s presentation

She has been designing and collaborating with multidisciplinary professionals to produce large-scale projections and the development of dedicated brand experiences for clients such as Lavazza, the Pirelli Foundation, Hermes, the V&A and the Museum of London. 

Mara graduated in 2005

Deric Shen

Deric first trained in Fine Arts in Singapore, subsequently majored in Spatial Design and obtained a Masters in Narrative Environments in London at CSM.

His multi-disciplinary creative practices include production set design, design and technical Director for Turnkey Attractions & Entertainment projects for theme parks, museums and leisure destinations as well as ceremonies. He founded DXDC with a strong belief in “Human beings share stories”; designing compelling experiences, encouraging visitors to create fresh perceptions and vivid memories.

screenshot from Deric’s presentation

Deric was awarded the Busan Mayor’s Award for IFI WINGS, South Korea and the Hong Kong Design Award for the Roving Nanyang Arts Exhibition for NAFA.

Deric graduated in 2014.

Arif Rahman Wahid is a lecturer and researcher at the Architectural Design Research Cluster, Department of Architecture, Universitas Indonesia. 

After graduating with a bachelor degree in Interior Architecture from the same department, he pursued his Masters degree in the MA Narrative Environments at Central Saint Martins.

screenshot from Artif’s presentation

His practice focuses on how a story and its representation unfold in space and time. Arif’s interests in everyday architecture, graphics and narrative inspire his community engagement practice and temporary architectural projects. Through these he integrates various forms of media in physical space. 

Arif graduated in 2016.

Anna Lincoln is a multidisciplinary designer and storyteller with more than ten years’ experience currently based in Amsterdam. 

She uses her strategic design thinking in high-profile projects involving brand experiences, public spaces, and events – both digital and physical. Her work ranges from blockbuster museum exhibitions seen by tens of thousands of visitors to projects with virtually no budget that require inventiveness to create something out of very limited resources. 

screenshot from Anna’s presentation

Her clients include the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Trust and the Roald Dahl Museum.

Anna graduated in 2016.

Seeing graduates going back to the first year of the course in 2003 tune in on zoom was a moving reminder that our alumni are part of a distinctive and inspiring global community of Narrative Environments practitioners that extends beyond the course.

One of our alumni said: ‘This event was a great reminder of what Narrative Design can do, can become and is already. We are part of a community of ‘unique brains’ that all meet here, and we need to hold onto each-other!’

If you missed out on this one, fear not! Our next alumni event is on May 26that 5pm (GMT).