Alumna Stories: Marta Gawrońska, Graduate from the MA in Interior Design

After graduating from the MA Interior Design program at Paris College of Art in 2019, Marta Gawrońska could not have anticipated the challenges the world would soon face. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent graduates found themselves navigating a volatile job market. However, for this alumna, the uncertainty that followed became a springboard for something greater, MARTAGAV, — her own interior design business, which quickly grew from small residential projects into large-scale commercial ventures.

In addition to her impressive portfolio and client roster, Marta has also recently been featured on Forbes Polska to share her expertise as an interior architect and which can be accessed here.

Marta reminisced about her experience as a PCA student and how the MA in Interior Design program influenced her entrepreneurial journey.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Poland, but I’ve spent most of my adult life traveling or living abroad, so studying in France felt like a natural choice.

Can you tell us more about your journey from PCA to where you are today?

I graduated just before the pandemic hit, and I vividly remember the uncertainty of that time. The job market was especially tough for recent graduates, but I decided to stay in Paris, prepared my website and portfolio, and took a leap of faith. Not long after, I landed my first project! It was small, but it gave me the chance to put my skills to the test in a real-world setting. From there, things progressed quickly. I started designing commercial spaces for fashion brands, creating full design concepts for their stands in shopping malls like Galeries Lafayette and El Corte Inglés. I also worked on boutiques in places like Versailles and La Vallée Village and took on a revamp project for an optical brand, redesigning more than 15 of their stores. More recently, I worked on the design of an event space for a Hôtel Particulier near Invalides in Paris, which was completed in spring 2024.

What was your most valuable experience at PCA?

One of the most fascinating aspects of studying at PCA was the chance to collaborate with people from all over the world. Seeing how different cultural perspectives influenced their art was incredibly enriching. The exchange of ideas and the collaborations with other students made me more open-minded and passionate about my work. This experience helped me better understand people, and it has been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey and in building relationships with my clients.

Why did you choose PCA to study Interior Design?

High-quality education has always been important to me, and I was looking for an international art school where I could deepen my studies in Interior Design. PCA stood out because it offered everything I was looking for—plus, it’s located in my beloved Paris!

Do you have any advice for future PCA students who want to pursue Interior Design?

It might sound a bit cliché, but it’s true: follow your dreams and don’t be afraid! Paris is an incredible place to study interior design. At PCA, you’ll meet people from around the world, gain high-quality knowledge from your professors, and embark on a truly exciting adventure.

Interview by Zainab Affejee