About me
Career path
Middle School & Internship at the Alternative Agency
When I finished middle school in 2022, I had no desire to go to high school. So it was with great enthusiasm that I enrolled in the Graphic Design program at the Geneva Center for Vocational Training in the Arts (CFP Arts). That same year, I had already gotten a taste of visual communication during an internship with Alain Frattini at the Alternative agency. Surrounded by professionals, I created a fictional logo there, gaining hands-on experience with design software and an eye for composition. Thanks to those few days, I was able to enroll at CFP Arts with greater confidence and the conviction that I would enjoy this field.
CFP Arts in Graphic Design
As soon as I enrolled in this school, I immediately began to gain new knowledge: I remember coming home from my first day of class with the satisfaction of having truly learned something, even if it was just the basics of typography. In the months that followed, my classmates and I were introduced to layout, illustration, typography, photography, composition, and even animation, new media, and many other subjects I’m leaving out.
Over the next few years, I had the opportunity to create my first posters, logos, and books – mostly fictional – and even my first commissioned projects. Through a diverse range of clients, I encountered the worlds of culture and non-profits, institutions, and businesses. This allowed me to experiment with different styles and mediums: from posters, animations, logos, and books – in both large and small formats – to projects highlighting typography or photography, as well as colorful figurative illustrations and abstract black-and-white ones. The same goes for techniques, as I had the opportunity to do screen printing, bookbinding, and linocut, but also to work primarily on the computer and master all its tools. There was never a lack of diversity, and I am happy to have been trained in this wide range of skills.
Internship at Éditions Héros-Limite
In 2025, as part of my training, I was required to complete a 19-week internship in graphic design. I was fortunate enough to join Éditions Héros-Limite, where I gained in-depth insight into the world of layout, printing, and publishing, and met passionate professionals who guided me in my development. I have fond memories of the places I worked in, the people I interacted with, the projects I completed – which truly fulfilled me – and those four months that marked my first foray into the working world.
Finishing my CFC
Finally, here we are in 2026, and I’m finishing my studies at CFP Arts with a fourth year that I’d describe – based on the projects I’ve been tasked with – as both demanding and exciting. At this school, I’ve been able to develop my skills and resources, both in terms of observation and creativity, as well as my organizational abilities and efficiency. Thanks to this school, I am now proud to be a young graphic designer capable of successfully completing a variety of projects from start to finish, and I am eager to gain more experience.
Projects
Internship(s) in the broader field of graphic design
This brings me to the next step in my career path:
Before continuing my studies, I would like to spend some time re-immersing myself in the professional world through one or more internships in the field of visual communication, either in Switzerland or abroad. I am eager to learn and discover new ways of working. I particularly enjoy working with paper, printing, layout, type design, and photography, though I am also interested in the latest media. That is why I am seeking a position for the 2026–27 academic year at an agency, a company, or a studio; with a freelancer or a photographer; at a print shop; or, of course, at a publishing house. I am open to any opportunities that arise to refine my skills or acquire new ones. I am fluent in French and Swiss German and have a working knowledge of German and English, which would allow me to work seamlessly in Geneva or elsewhere.
Continuing My Studies at a University of the Arts
Once this year of discovery and growth is over, I will be ready to enroll in a new school. I plan to take the entrance exams for HEAD, ECAL, or the Basel School of Design – three schools I’ve heard great things about and which, I’m sure, could help me become the graphic designer I dream of being.
Projects and Future Plans
I’m giving myself time to develop my strengths and find the disciplines that truly appeal to me before deciding what I’ll do in the future. But I already have a few projects and aspirations:
Working in the publishing field has been a pleasure, and it’s a world I love – one made of paper, literature, typography, layout, and printing. That’s why I could definitely see myself joining one once my studies are finished. I even dream of bringing my thesis project to life – for which I created the publishing house Sur nos traces and its Interviews collection, which gave me the opportunity to interview director Juan José Lozano and create a book chronicling our conversation.
I also enjoy creating logos, posters, flyers, and digital visuals. So I could also see myself joining an agency or a company’s creative team.
Finally, my love for manual work means I would be just as happy to be part of a screen-printing or bookbinding workshop, or any other creative endeavor that would allow me to put my dexterity to good use.
Contact
You can find me on Instagram (@ly.a.phiks) or contact me by email at lya.brdt@gmail.com