It became clear to me very early on that my career would involve drawing. I completed my first course of study at the Graphic Design Class. Around fifteen years later, I went on to study part-time for a BA in Art Education at ZHdK, followed by a MA in Art Teaching (Secondary Level II) at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. I work on my own artistic and design projects, create designs for clients, for teaching purposes and with pupils. The boundaries between my various activities have become very fluid.

Completing and funding my second degree was a real struggle. I was lucky enough to be able to teach while I was studying. Given my background, that went very well right from the start. It meant I was able to keep my head above water by taking on various supply teaching roles. From August 2020, I will be taking up my first post at a grammar school in the canton of Zug, and at the same time a second post at a vocational guidance school in the canton of Zurich, and I am really looking forward to it.

I had the most fun during my propaedeutic year, when I was finally able to turn my hobby (drawing, painting, 3D) into my profession. The first computers for graphics were purchased in the late 1990s, and I worked with them for a long time as a designer both at home and abroad. At some point, I wanted to work more with people and take on more of my own projects. My second degree took a very long time to complete, but it gave me an insight into many different institutions. The courses have developed significantly, and Zurich has changed as well. Pfingstweidstrasse, where ZHdK is located today, used to be a no-man’s-land. This is where I had my first studio, and there was plenty of room for creative experimentation. Parties, concerts and feasts took place, which had to be decorated and promoted with flyers, posters and three-dimensional structures. All of this was important and formative for me too, just like the many years I spent with the Scouts. I would not know what I could or should have done differently. I am happy for every minute young people manage not to spend in front of a screen!

Art, design and education are my passion. Through everything I have done, I feel a sense of belonging to many different scenes. I firmly believe that the well-being of a school and its pupils can be gauged by the flourishing of creative subjects within the educational curriculum. As digitalisation increases across all subjects, so does the need for a counterbalance. I grew up in Zurich, broadened my horizons abroad and have returned. In any case, I feel I belong to Zurich’s creative scene, which fortunately extends beyond the local area.

When it comes to design, you cannot fail often enough!