Features, News

Graduate Stories: Graphic designer Laufey Guðnadóttir on her work as a motion designer after graduation

0 110

Our new Graduate Stories series uncovers the diverse experiences of Manchester Met alumni, exploring the reality of life after graduation and highlighting career achievements. We shed light on the different paths graduates take, share relatable and honest advice, and provide practical tips for students who may feel uncertain about their next steps.


Laufey Guðnadóttir graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design in October 2023 and is now  working as a motion designer at One Agency in Manchester. During her studies, Laufey was part of aAh! Magazine’s Graphic Design Collective, working as a graphic designer on several issues of the print magazine including The ENERGY Issue, The FREEDOM Issue and The CHANGE Issue.

Tell us about your career journey after graduating and how your time at university shaped this journey. 

I graduated from Manchester Met’s Graphic Design course last year, and in October the same year, I got a job as a motion designer at One Agency here in Manchester. I learned tons of new skills during my time at uni, but my interest in 3D computer graphics led me to attend an optional workshop on [3D graphics software] Blender. This experience cemented for me what I wanted to do after uni and ultimately helped me secure my job (shoutout to graphic design lecturer, Will Albin-Clark!)

What work experiences during your studies helped to guide you on your career journey?

During my time at Manchester Met, I worked as an in-house graphic designer at BMC Networking. That was a great experience both for working with clients as well as being professional and delivering quality work. The work definitely helped me grow more confident as well, both in myself and my work as well as helping me get a clearer idea of what I wanted to do after uni.

Do you have any tips for job interviews, applying for positions, or gaining work experience?

For interviews, I’d definitely say the classic advice “be yourself” is most important. Don’t be shy to show that you’re enthusiastic about your work and be your biggest hype-man.

What are some of the highlights of working in a creative field?

Definitely working in a group of different people from different practices. I really enjoy working as a motion designer and having the opportunity to work alongside talented designers, creative directors, video/photographers, copywriters and so on.

Do you have any advice for future graduates?

For future graduates, I’d encourage everyone to try out new and scary things! Try more than less, that’s one way to filter out what you want to do after uni. Personally, I have always been pretty tech savvy, but 3D and motion can be a bit scary and the learning curve can be rough. However, the reward is great, and learning new skills is one of the best things you can do to stand out.

About the author / 

aAh!

aAh! Magazine is Manchester Metropolitan University's arts and culture magazine.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Manchester Metropolitan University student wins top music photography award

    Featured image: Alison Hall Future Media Production student Gracie Hall takes home top music photography award A Manchester Metropolitan University student has claimed a top national photography award, winning the Photographer of the Year title in the music category at the London Camera Exchange 2025. Gracie Hall, a BA Future Media Production student, impressed judges with her…

  • World Book Day: Manchester’s best literary hangout spots

    Featured image: Edward Firman There is no better combination than a good book and a hot cup of coffee; it’s the ultimate feeling of cosiness no matter the season. However, there’s something comforting about rainy days in Manchester, when the skies are gloomy and you stumble upon an independent bookstore. Over the years, bookstores have…

  • GoGlobal Week: Jason Allen-Paisant and Monique Roffey on plants, place and choosing tenderness

    Featured image and gallery: Eden-Hopkins Fermo Manchester Met’s GoGlobal Week initiative continued on Wednesday with an event featuring award-winning poet Jason Allen-Paisant and acclaimed writer and Contemporary Fiction Professor Monique Roffey. Launching his first non-fiction book, The Possibility of Tenderness, Allen-Paisant and Roffey explored the themes of his memoir, dissecting his personal history and the…