THE DESIGN ACADEMY
An award winning design hub for advanced learning, cutting-edge research and R+D projects, focused on the application of emerging technologies.
A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy is the culmination of a long-term partnership between BMW Group in Germany, and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) School of Design in Australia. The Academy is a design hub for advanced learning, cutting-edge research and R+D projects focused on the application of emerging technologies including virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and robotics.
Our Mission is strengthen and expand BMW Group and QUT’s partnership through three bespoke programs: Internships, Research and Special Projects.
Our Vision is to position design and creativity as an unparalleled and indispensable skillset for the worlds best organisations.
OUR PROGRAMS
THE M8
Announced in early 2022, QUT was gifted a BMW M8 Competition Coupé vehicle directly from BMW in Germany. The vehicle is a design research and teaching tool for under- and postgraduate students at the University.
Alpha Studio is a workspace focused on design and education. Our Design Associates work in the studio on a number of Special Projects for BMW Group, using a range of cutting-edge technologies and skilled workflows. Our WIL Internship program for QUT design students is based in the Alpha Studio, led by our team of Design Associates.
BUILDING Z2, ROOM 308, QUT KELVIN GROVE
The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy Beta Lab is an advanced design research and teaching space. With exclusive access to a BMW M8 Competition vehicle, our Research Associates are exploring various cutting-edge topics including human-machine interfaces and emerging interactive technologies. For undergraduate students at QUT, the M8 facilitates learning through projects across a number of design disciplines. These projects include exterior and interior design, visualisation, materials and manufacturing, and the integration of interactive and emerging technologies
BUILDING Z2, ROOM 407, QUT KELVIN GROVE
Since his time as a design student, Academy Founder + Lead, Dr Rafael Gomez, had always aspired to work with BMW, a global leader in premium automotive manufacturing. He admired the company's innovative design, engineering excellence, and rich history, recognizing that joining such an internationally renowned organization would provide an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Initial interest in a potential collaboration arose from several chance encounters at international conferences. However, establishing a stable partnership required years of meticulous planning, strategic discussions, and extensive travel.
A significant breakthrough occurred in 2016 when QUT Industrial Design graduate Dylan Sheppard secured a placement at BMW. This accelerated the collaboration and paved the way for future QUT students to complete internships at BMW. The success of this placement sparked the vision for an academy at QUT, dedicated to fostering design excellence, exploring cutting-edge technologies, and advancing innovation. In 2017, a pivotal meeting between Rafael and Jimmy Nassif (a BMW Group employee at the time) led to the conception of the QUT Design Academy. By 2018, BMW Group and QUT formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding and establishing an International Collaborative Agreement, which laid the foundation for the program as it exists today.
The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy was officially launched in 2020, featuring three core programs: Internships, Research, and Special Projects. Since its inception the Academy has grown significantly, yielding impressive results including over 60 interns, 45 BMW Group interns, 3 PhD completions, 1 Master's degree, and numerous special projects in collaboration with BMW Group and its subsidiary, idealworks. The Academy continues to collaborate with a wide range of BMW Group teams and subsidiaries, including idealworks, TechOffice, and Logistics Robotics, among others.
OUR HISTORY
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
2024 Good Design Award winners
Featured on national TV, social media channels and billboards as part of the QUT ‘Real is…’ campaign
2023 DIA Designer’s Australia Merit Award winners
Over $2million AUD in partnership funding
53 design students accepted into our BMW Group Internship program
64 design students through the Academy WIL Internship program for internships or capstone projects
5 PhD and MPhil candidates
15+ projects completed for international and local BMW Group teams and companies
Endowment of a BMW M8 Competition vehicle for design research and teaching
OUR JOURNEY
2016
QUT Industrial Design undergraduate, Dylan Sheppard, is the first BMW Group design intern from QUT, playing a pivitol role in growing the partnership.
1 student accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group
2017
Dylan Sheppard returns to Munich as Owner, Digital Design & VR in the Innovation and Industry 4.0 division of BMW Logistics.
4 students accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group
2018
A Memorandum of Understanding is signed by QUT’s Dr Rafael Gomez and BMW’s Jimmy Nassif.
An International Collaboration Agreement is signed by Prof. Margeret Sheil, QUT Vice-Chancellor, and BMW’s Volker Ricter, Head of Quality at Plant Regensburg.
6 students accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group, across 2 teams
2019
Dylan Sheppard accepts a lifetime contract with BMW.
Statement of Intent signed between BMW Group and the QUT School of Design.
6 students accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group, across 4 teams
2020
The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy is officially launched at QUT Gardens Point Campus, formalising the partnership and paving the way for future collaboration.
The Academy is recognised by QUT in helping to achieve the status of top Young Uni in Australia.
BMW Group launches idealworks, it’s newest subsidiary company, with notable QUT involvement in it’s origins at BMW.
QUT alumni, Jordan Domjahn and Michael Williams, employed as Design Associates
Intake of first ever Academy WIL Interns
8 students accepted for a paid internships at BMW Group
Launch of 1 MPhil fully funded scholarship through our Research program
3D modelling, texturing and render package of idealworks iw.hub robot completed for company launch
Completion of modeled and textured 3D assets used in the BMW Group iFACTORY project
2021
QUT design students are recognised for their contribution to the launch of new BMW Group company, idealworks.
Inaugural BMW Group + QUT Design Academy Design Capstone Award presented
QUT alumni, Tim Lim and Epifanio Pereira, employed as Design Associates
1 student accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group
8 Academy WIL Interns, 5 Impact Lab 4 students and 1 Industrial Design Capstone student through the Internships program
James Dwyer is confirmed as MPhil candidate under the Research Program
Concept for an iw.hub robot online configurator presented to idealworks
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality experiences created for announcement of M8 Competition vehicle
2022
Mike Lepre employed as Technical Associate
Mohammad Faramazian employed as Design Associate through his PhD
First ever Academy STEM design workshop session hosted for high school students
QUT Open Day participation
11 Academy WIL Interns, 6 Impact Lab 4 students and 1 Industrial Design Capstone student
1 student accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group
2 funded PhD scholarships confirmed for 2023 start
Start of new BMW Plant Hams Hall (UK) 2030 Future Vision project through Special Projects program
Next generation and future vision iw.hub robot concepts presented to idealworks
Augmented Reality experiences created for local event of new BMW i7 vehicle
The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy relocates to QUT Kelvin Grove Campus, now occupying two spaces: Alpha Studio and Beta Lab.
Announcement of QUT being endowed with a BMW M8 Competition vehicle as a design research and teaching tool.
2023
Academy alumni David Quick gains employment at BMW in the UK, following his design internship at Hams Hall.
Academy receives an Award of Merit for the 2023 DIA Designer’s Australia Award (Interact Category).
Design Capstone awards presented to Jan Bekker (Industrial), Alanah Farr (Interaction) and Simone Everingham (Visual Communication)
Daniel Fisher and Jacob Ho employed as Junior Design Associates to support on Hams Hall project
Taharah Ali employed as Communications Associate
2 Academy STEM design workshop sessions held for high school students
QUT Open Day participation
8 Academy WIL Interns, 4 Impact Lab 4 students and 5 Design Capstone (Industrial, Games) students
9 students accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group, with an expansion out of Munich, Germany to include BMW Plant Hams Hall (UK)
Alexandra Singleton begins her PhD scholarship
Additional 2 funded PhD scholarships confirmed for 2024 start
Idealworks ScanBot branding and 3D renders project
Completion of BMW Plant Hams Hall 2030 Future Vision animation
Several Animations for SORDI delivered to TechOffice Munich
2024
Kentaro Mikami employed as a Design Associate
QUT Open Day participation
6 Academy WIL Interns and 7 Design Capstone (Industrial, Games, Interaction) students
10 students accepted for a paid internship at BMW Group, with teams in Munich, Germany and Birmingham, UK
Zhengtoa Ma and Jesse Goddard begin their PhD scholarships, in addition to Yueteng Yu who is under part supervision of Dr Rafael Gomez
Several Animations for SORDI delivered to TechOffice Munich
Academy alumni Isaac Bonora joins idealworks as an Associate Product Designer, following his design internship with idealworks. He is now the 3rd QUT design student to be employed within BMW Group.
The Academy is featured in QUT’s new advertising campaign, “Real is…”, seen on national TV, QUT social media channels and billboards.
The Academy wins a 2024 Good Design Award for the Service Design: Education Services category.
Academy staff, interns and facilities featured in QUT You campaign.
2025
8 students accepted (so far) for a paid internship at BMW Group, with teams in Munich and Regensburg, Germany and Birmingham, UK
