From Bystander to Intern: My Journey with BMW Group + QUT Design Academy
In 2022, my friends and I would always go near the Z9 fashion block after volleyball, either to eat our dinner or to play some more volleyball on the grass. When we reached the fourth floor of the building, I noticed something that I didn't expect: a BMW car sitting inside a room. My curiosity led me to find out about the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy internship, and it surprised me how an international powerhouse was so close all this time. At the time, it never even crossed my mind that an opportunity that exuded so much prestige would be given to me a year later. When I received the email of acceptance to be a 2023 intern, I didn't know how much it would enrich my design journey.
I was given the BMW factory worker wearable tech project with the aim of exploring how the technology could be applied in a factory setting. The project was very open-ended, and being the sole designer for this solution meant that I had free reign to explore my ideas. I also had to consider what the current factory landscape was like, and how my solution would affect and be affected by these factors. Although there were some constraints and limitations to the design, I was surprised at how much freedom we were given for our work. This was the first design internship experience I've ever had, and I always thought that it would be much more structured and rigid compared to the boundless potential we could explore. If I'm being honest, it was really daunting at the start. The scope of the project was almost infinitely expanding, and I found it difficult to coherently organise my ideas. It didn't help that I subconsciously imposed unrealistic expectations on myself. I wanted to prove to them that I wasn't the wrong choice that I was capable of doing so much.
I knew that I had to contextualise the issue to begin narrowing the scope. This brought me to the preliminary stage of design development by extensively researching wearable tech and the BMW factory environment. As I continued to read on, I realised how much technological development had happened behind the scenes. It was only until this internship that I discovered how deep automation in the workplace had gone, and it was all just fascinating to me. It revitalised an interest and passion in design that I hadn't experienced since my high school days. It further fuelled this interest whenever my colleagues or associates would eagerly talk about a new development or the general state of the design world during our free time. It made me realise that in the everchanging and vast world of design, it was meaningless to mull over how I could move it as a whole. Rather, what I needed to focus on was how I could move throughout this world instead, to understand the landscape, to see what is and what could be. I didn't have to reinvent the wheel, I could just use it a different way. This invigorated passion and perspective for design was, I believe, what helped me overcome the initial creative block at the start, and I have the associates and my colleagues to thank for helping me.
The solution I composed for the project was the BMW Wearable Family, an interconnected hardware and software system that streamlines managerial/supervisor responsibilities and increases the effectiveness of worker health monitoring and maintenance. The experience consists of an AR-imposed interface through smart - glasses that outlined factory and worker data to allow managers/supervisors to make informed decisions based on real-time information. Worker health is monitored through a smart garment solution, through microsensors contained throughout the clothing. Due to the product/physical nature of my solution, the associates suggested that I learn Blender to 3D model and visualise the design. In only a short amount of time, I've learnt how to comfortably utilise and navigate this new software. I was initially very intimidated by Blender before this internship, but the guidance and patience that Jordan, Epi, and especially Tim gave to me during the learning process made it both a fulfilling and fun experience. They also helped me significantly with my presenting skills, an area that I was heavily lacking in. Thanks to them, I created an amazing solution that I can be proud of, with the skill set to iterate upon it or for the next project ahead.
Overall, the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy internship was an amazing experience in the design industry. The skills I've learnt, the people I've met, and the change I underwent has opened the world of design significantly. I strongly encourage anyone looking for opportunities to heavily consider this one, which I believe to be one of the best places to learn, develop, and succeed in their design journey. From a bystander drawn by curiosity to an intern who successfully created a solution, I'll always look fondly upon this experience and remember the foundation they set for my future.
Chelo Lechonsito
BMW Group + QUT Design Academy Intern, Semester 2 2023
