With a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Digital Media, LSUS Graduate Natalie Bianco Faces Job Market Challenges

Amidst the challenging U.S. job market of May 2020, LSUS graduate Natalie Bianco, armed with a degree in Fine Arts and Digital Media, navigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment opportunities. The pandemic forced non-essential workplaces to operate remotely or remain closed, adding complexity to her job search. Hailing from Guernsey, an island off the coast of northern France, Bianco faced the additional hurdle of having only one year left on her Optional Practical Training visa.

However, a turning point emerged when she discovered a graphic design position at the local law firm Morris and Dewett, specializing in personal injury cases. Initially responsible for managing the firm’s social media and designing graphics and flyers, Bianco’s role evolved into creating visuals for trial presentations.

Her task involves visually animating her attorney’s arguments, simplifying legal concepts with easily understandable graphics to engage the jury. Recognizing the power of images, Bianco emphasizes the importance of capturing jurors’ attention within the first five seconds.

Bianco’s expertise has earned her a reputation as one of the state’s top visual storytellers in her field. To enhance her skills, she pursued a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts, completing it in December. Her thesis, titled “Visual Rhetoric in the Courtroom,” delved into the use of visual presentations by lawyers across the region. Conducting research through focus groups and studying trials in Louisiana and Texas, Bianco found the experience invaluable.

Motivated by a desire to understand how people absorb information, especially jurors interpreting legal arguments, Bianco embarked on the master’s program. She aimed to explore the minds of jurors and improve as a visual storyteller, ultimately contributing to her unique niche profession.

Paired with her fine arts degree, Bianco’s visual skills and thirst for knowledge from her liberal arts master’s degree have carved a niche profession that was previously nonexistent in the area. Unanticipated when she joined Morris and Dewett four years ago, Bianco’s expertise now attracts other firms seeking assistance with trial visuals.

Reflecting on the pressure of the courtroom and boardroom planning sessions, Bianco draws on her soccer experience. A former collegiate soccer player at LSUS, she now coaches and conducts private sessions with local youth, fostering connections within the community.

“I love coaching – the soccer community is so nice here and receptive to an international coming in,” Bianco said. “I’ve gotten to know so many people in the community – soccer brings people together.”