A Spirited Design Team
Typically, it takes around 6 to 12 months to fully adjust to a new position or role, considering the various factors involved. Due to the unfortunate cancellation of my internship to BMW Munich caused by the pandemic, the team graciously offered me a short-term position at the Academy instead. Surprisingly, even within just a few months here, I already feel a profound sense of belonging, as if I'm right at home. Sadly, the time has come for me to say goodbye.
When I joined the team, I wasn't quite sure what projects I would be working on. However, knowing that I would be collaborating with Jordan, Epi, and Tim, it didn't matter much to me. I recognized the abundance of talent and skill within the team, and my primary goal was to learn as much as possible from them in a short time while contributing to the projects to the best of my abilities.
As a junior designer entering the industry, it can be daunting to find a balance between utilizing existing skills and acquiring new ones on the job. This balance is crucial for the growth and development of new designers, enabling them to build confidence and resilience. The Academy has cultivated a workplace culture that encourages this equilibrium, demanding high levels of output while fostering resilience and continuous learning. In just three short months, I have witnessed tremendous growth in my technical skills, expanding my industry knowledge, and honing my teamworking abilities. Without the unique culture at the Academy, I don't believe I would have gained as much from my time here as I have.
At first glance, the BMW + QUT Design Academy might give the impression that it solely focuses on automotive design. However, it offers so much more. I've had the incredible opportunity to collaborate on projects with global industry partners, exploring a wide range of subjects such as digital twins, MetaHumans, animation and rigging, autonomous robot concepts, AI design workflows, motion graphics, and XR applications. Yet, the best part, in my opinion, has been immersing myself in a team of individuals who live and breathe design. It means that every day at work, we share knowledge, explore ideas while grabbing coffee, discuss newly released software tools, and contemplate how to leverage them in our design process. This, to me, is the most valuable takeaway—the spirit of design that the team instills in their projects and in each other.
Although I won't be working with the team anymore, I won't be going far. I am immensely grateful for my short time spent with the team and eagerly look forward to witnessing the future achievements of my friends and colleagues.
Raf, Jordan, Tim, Epi, Mike, and James, thank you for your warm hospitality, patience, and genuine interest.
Until next time,
Daniel Fisher
Junior Design Associate, 2023-2023
