Work Placements
Our work placements prepare students very effectively to
take on live projects with industry and commerce, and both inform
and engage them with the demanding process of achieving their
first job as a professional designer.
Students typically undertake a work placement in the second
semester of the second year of study, before then continuing to
work with industry partners into their third year. However, many
students also look to gain further experience throughout their time
at York St John, undertaking work experience, volunteering and paid
work that allows them to build their CV and design portfolio ready
for when they leave University. The Design course can boast that 91
percent of their students in their first six months following
graduation find employment.
Through developing this breadth of experience alongside their
studies, York St John graduates have been able to go on to highly
successful careers in the design and related industries – see
Graduate Success for some examples.
Students undertake placements in a variety of organisations and
companies, with recent examples including the BBC, Skopos, Nike,
Carleton Furniture and within the emergency
services amongst numerous others.
More information about possible career options
for Design graduates is available on the University’s Careers & Employability website, as
well as more general support with career planning and the process
of applying for jobs.
Case
studies
Ashleigh Cleet
Turtlewings are a toy company based in
Belgium. As part of a team, she was given the responsibility
to design and develop a range of children’s toys and understand the
whole design process from concept through to the manufacture of a
product.
“Working at
Turtlewings has given me the opportunity to see every part of the
design process. My involvement in the launch of the ‘Think About’
product has given me valuable experience in terms of workload,
budgets, marketing, design development and the manufacture of a new
product.”
Michael Kearns
IOR Group are based in London, who specialise
in office and furniture design. They believe that the design of
workplace interiors should reflect creativity and enhance
efficiency and business performance. Micheal developed new and
existing skills through CAD, whilst shadowing the design team in
meetings and surveying new office space.
“IOR Group
fully involved me in live projects, visiting sites and working
towards deadlines. Undertaking a work placement with a company has
allowed me to gain valuable experience as well as giving me an
insight to how companies operate at such a fast
pace.”
http://www.iorgroup.co.uk/
Tom
Hutchinson
Reditum is a German furniture design company.
All the products produced by Reditum are created from 100% recycled
materials, crafted in a workshop by individuals with disabilities.
Three key roles were undertaken as part of the work placement at
Reditum: packaging, user interface and product designer.
“As well as
providing me with a significant insight into the practicalities of
starting and running a company as a sole trader, my placement at
Reditum has highlighted the value of ethical business practice.
“
http://www.reditum.de/
