More Than a Project
As a fourth-year student, I had always heard about the BMW x QUT Academy but I never truly understood what it was, until I joined and realised it was going to be one of the most important decisions I made in my time studying Industrial Design. The academy project allowed me to dive headfirst into an intense client-based project, where I was allowed to make all the decisions. The final presentation was a culmination of 10 weeks of work, and I walked away feeling fulfilled.
Not only had I completed a project for BMW, but I had learnt so much about how working with a client truly operates. Another advantage of this self-directed work is that I could choose what specific skills I wanted to develop through this project. My personal goals were to learn more about steel manufacturing, speed up my CAD/rendering workflow, and learn how to 3D print higher fidelity models. The learning that I hadn’t planned, but was potentially the most valuable, was through the teaching team’s mentorship. The academy team assisted my personal learning goals and provided weekly project feedback, while also sharing valuable insights about their careers in design, which I never would have learnt in a classroom setting.
As I look forward, the skills I need to focus on improving to become industry ready include knowledge of manufacturing techniques and DFM skills, learning software such as Blender, and continuing to practice my skills in CAD and rendering, until I feel confident enough to complete any project a client may give me. In my career as a designer, I hope to participate in projects that have a genuine positive impact on our world, and the BMW x QUT Academy project has brought me a step closer to this future through fast-forwarding my industry readiness.
I sincerely recommend this opportunity to all design students, as this project is a unique experience to simulate real client work, in an environment where mistakes can be made, and insightful mentors are present to direct you.
Sam Detaille
BMW Group Design Intern, 2026
