At the Intersection of Design and Emerging Tech
My experience at the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy Internship as an interaction design student was incredibly rewarding. From the moment I set my sights on this opportunity, following the Academy's inspiring social media pages and witnessing the impressive work of other undergraduate design students, I knew I had to be a part of it. The excitement reached its peak when I received the email welcoming me as a 2023 Intern. Being associated with the prestigious BMW brand and the innovative environment of the Academy surpassed my expectations.
Throughout the past few months, I've had the privilege of collaborating closely with my talented fellow student, Weibo, on an engaging digital billboard project. Moreover, receiving invaluable insights and guidance once a week from Alexandra at BMW in Germany added a global perspective to our work. I highly encourage other Interaction Design students to take up any opportunities to work on a project as an Intern. Here’s why: while I had certain expectations before starting this semester, based on my previous internship experiences, what truly surprised me was the level of freedom and autonomy we were granted. Rather than being confined to a structured and rigid brief, we were encouraged to think outside the box and push the boundaries of our project. This freedom allowed us to explore diverse design possibilities and challenge traditional approaches to an interactive billboard design. It was an empowering experience to have the opportunity to shape the direction of our project and bring our unique perspectives to the table.
Another aspect that truly stood out from my previous experiences at other firms was the uptake and focus on the latest technologies. It was genuinely inspiring to be in an environment that not only encouraged but wholeheartedly embraced the adoption of cutting-edge tools and methodologies. The Academy doesn’t just talk about these innovations but actually brings them into the design process. This emphasis on staying at the forefront of technology was both motivating and eye-opening. The office was always an exciting place to be because I knew I’d be learning about a new advancement or piece of software on the shared Discord channel or during a casual conversation over lunch. From Unreal Engine to Blender to Augmented Reality and Generative AI, we really did cover it all!
Acquiring practical experience with design software was another significant aspect of the internship that equipped me with skills that I’ll be leveraging for years to come. Through hands-on experience and expert guidance, I had the chance to develop some level of proficiency in complex design tools such as Blender and Adobe After Effects. These practical skills not only enhanced my design capabilities but also empowered me to bring my concepts to life in ways I had not expected or imagined. Collaborating with Epi, who generously shared his expertise in Blender, was truly invaluable. With his support, we brainstormed the more effective ways to visually integrate elements of our project using the tool. Additionally, the support from Tim and Dan on specific aspects of our project provided us with further opportunities to refine our skills and explore new approaches to 3D design. The collaboration in the office fostered an environment where Weibo and I were able to learn these skills fairly quickly without relying on weeks of back-to-back YouTube tutorials.
I am immensely grateful for the mentorship, feedback session and input provided by Jordan, as well as the entire BMW Group + QUT Design Academy team, including Tim, Epi, and Dan. Their guidance played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of the design process and the importance of managing a project timeline and responsibilities each week. Their support and expertise were instrumental in helping us navigate through moments of uncertainty and maintaining momentum when we began to go down rabbit holes.
Reflecting on this rare type of internship experience, I am genuinely thankful to Weibo, Jordan, Alexandra, and the entire team for providing me with such a collaborative and insightful opportunity. The internship not only expanded my knowledge of design technologies but also reinforced the significance of effective time management, communication and collaboration. I am proud of what Weibo and I were able to achieve in a matter of weeks and I am truly excited to carry forward the skills and insights gained from this internship and continue exploring the fascinating intersection of emerging technology and design.
Olivia Caulfield
BMW Group + QUT Design Academy Intern, Semester 1 2023
