When Ida Marie Bjørge Dyrøy was choosing an education, there was one thing she knew for sure: she was tired of bad design. She chose to study Graphic Design at Noroff.
- I used to get really annoyed by things that were poorly designed, and eventually I thought I might as well do something about it myself instead of just being irritated.
Gained confidence in meeting clients
One of the most valuable things she took with her from Graphic Design was the experience of presenting her work to others. She explains that it was often about explaining and defending her design choices in a professional way.
- It forced me to put words to the process behind my designs, and that has been incredibly useful in client meetings.
Photo: Private
The freedom of freelance life
Ida Marie has worked extensively as a freelancer and describes her everyday life as both flexible and varied. She explains that she had the opportunity to live abroad for several years while still working with Norwegian clients.
- I could take a break in the middle of the day and work in the evening instead, as long as I met the deadlines.
When it comes to projects, she enjoys most those that involve building brands from the ground up. She adds that further developing an existing brand is also rewarding, but there’s something special about creating an identity from scratch.
Staying updated with an eye for more than just design
Ida Marie follows many designers on social media but finds inspiration in a much wider range of sources. She emphasizes the importance of keeping an eye on trends in general and says she finds much inspiration in interior design, colors, and fashion. At the same time, she believes it’s important to dare to try new technology—without curiosity and a willingness to experiment, you risk falling behind.
One of the highlights of her career came when she was asked to illustrate for the Norwegian translation of the “Bible Project” films.
- I had seen them in English a few years earlier and was really impressed by the work. Being part of the Norwegian version was incredibly fun.
Photo: Ida Marie’s own work
Visual communication that makes an impact
Today, Ida Marie works as a communications advisor for the Christian Democratic Party’s (KrF) parliamentary group, responsible for both graphic design and social media. She enjoys her work and has no plans to switch fields anytime soon, but admits that the freelance life still lingers in the back of her mind.
- Maybe it’ll be my midlife project—to start a small agency where I can choose where and when I work.
Advice for today’s design students
Ida Marie emphasizes that students should ask lots of questions—both about design and the industry itself. She points out that the transition from a study environment to working alone as a freelancer or as the only graphic designer in a team can be abrupt. She encourages anyone wanting to freelance to explore coworking spaces, as they can provide professional support, networking opportunities, and a valuable sense of community in daily life.
- Trust the process, even if the design doesn’t come together right away.