Designing With Purpose: My WIL Experience

In 2025, I had the opportunity to complete a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) internship with the BMW Group and QUT Design Academy in Brisbane. If you’re considering applying, I would encourage you to go for it, it was an incredibly valuable and eye-opening step into the professional design world.

During the internship, I worked on the design and development of a corporate gift which, through concept exploration, evolved into a pen tray - a seemingly simple object that quickly revealed the complexity behind thoughtful design. The project challenged me to consider precision, materiality, brand alignment, and user experience all at once. Every curve, surface finish, and proportion had to feel intentional and refined, reflecting the Academy’s design language while remaining functional and manufacturable.

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was the freedom I was given to explore different directions within the brief. I was trusted to shape the concept, test iterations, and refine details in a way that aligned with both the brand and my own design values. That autonomy pushed me to take real ownership of the project.

What truly made the experience special, though, was the mentorship. Through ongoing conversations, feedback, and the opportunity to ask questions, I gained insight into professional expectations and decision-making processes.

This internship marked a defining step in my journey from student to emerging designer, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience.

Katarina Gessner
BMW Group Design Intern, 2025