The silence of the Swiss Alps was a stark contrast to the buzz of Amsterdam’s advertising world when Eva Przybyla arrived in Lausanne in 2023. For a decade, she had shaped campaigns for global brands like Adidas, Reebok, and McDonald’s as an Art Director and Creative Lead. She knew how to make things beautiful. But she realized: beauty without function is just art. And art, at its best, must serve the human behind the screen.
«I wanted to understand the ‘how’ behind the ‘what,’. I wanted to build the things I designed.»
The Unlearning Process: From Certainty to Beginner’s Mind
Transitioning from a decade of creative leadership to a computer science student at 42 Lausanne was a humbling experience. In her old life, Eva had confidence, experience, and a clear identity. In her new life, she was a beginner.
«It was way easier for me to be a designer at hackathons before,» she admits. «I had 10 years of experience. Now, as a coder, it’s totally my first time. It’s harder, but I’m learning more.»
At 42, there are no teachers—only peers. Success depends on collaboration, and Eva thrived in this environment.
«It’s super wonderful to work with people of so many different backgrounds. We all have different stacks, different previous experiences. We all have to learn from each other.»
For Eva, this diversity is the heart of the 42 experience. Whether debugging a complex algorithm or discussing the ethics of AI, the constant exchange of ideas is where the real learning happens. She isn’t just learning syntax; she is learning to translate human needs into technical reality.
At 42 Lausanne success depends on collaboration.
Eva chose 42 for its flexibility. She was planning to open her own design studio and wanted to upskill without committing to a rigid schedule.
«42 gave me way more flexibility than joining any other university. And it has this advantage over online universities because you meet people in person. You make friends. I actually met my partner at 42.»
Her journey wasn’t just about code—it was about community. «If not for 42, I wouldn’t know anyone here. There were people at different stages of their lives, different ages. I didn’t join a cohort of 18-year-olds. There were people more my age, and that was great.»
From Art to Agentic AI
Eva’s background as a designer and her newfound technical skills made her a perfect fit for hybrid roles—the jobs of the future. «I love tackling user problems with both creativity and code. With over 10 years of experience creating human-centered digital solutions, I’m excited to bring my blend of design and tech skills to a team that values both.»
At Scholé AI, an EPFL-affiliated agentic learning platform, Eva works as a Creative Brand Strategist for AI Products, specializing in UX, Frontend, Brand & Creative Direction. In her job she iswearing many hats because it’s a startu, so she is also design engineering, coding the product, creating ai workflows, using code to build software, landing pages or emails.
Her final project at 42? Training an AI model to play punk music. «I wanted to understand how AI works under the hood. Now, I use AI for workflows in every aspect of my job—from strategy to UX to coding.»
The Hackathon: A Test of Resilience
In May 2025, Eva joined a hackathon that 42 Lausanne organised for the University of St. Gallen. It was her first hackathon as a coder.
The challenge was intense: two days to build functional prototypes for six startups. Eva’s team, a mix of tech talents and entrepreneurs, worked in a blur of focus. They built solutions from scratch and working with stacks they had never touched before.
«It’s a great learning experience. I can learn a lot,» she says. The result? A series of impressive pitches that showcased not just code, but the resilience and adaptability of 42 students. «Under pressure, we delivered professional, human-centered solutions.»
Why 42 Might Be Your Mountain
Eva’s story is an invitation to those considering the jump into tech. She doesn’t promise the path will be easy. But she acknowledges the joy of discovery, the power of collaboration, and the value of a supportive community.
«There are easier paths than the mountains. But I have always loved the mountains.»
If you’re looking for a place where:
- Your past experience is valued (not erased)
- You learn by doing (not just listening)
- The focus is on creating real, human-centered solutions
- You can upskill at your own pace, in a diverse, supportive community
…then 42 Zurich might be your mountain.
About Eva Przybyla
Eva Przybyla is a Creative Brand Strategist for AI Products, specializing in UX, Frontend, Brand & Creative Direction. She has graduated from 42 Lausanne and works at Scholé AI, an EPFL-affiliated agentic learning platform. Follow her journey on LinkedIn or visit her portfolio at whatevacreates.com.
Join the Movement
42 Zurich is now open for applications. Whether you’re a designer, a career changer, or simply someone who loves to learn, your mountain awaits.
The interview was conducted by Corina Schedler as part of the initiative to promote gender equality in computer science education, which is supported by the Federal Office for Gender Equality (EBG).