From top application tips to memorable moments and the importance of ethical design, this year's cohort share their experience of the trainee scheme so far. Oh and we discuss the big things too, like the joy of digestive biscuits, why elephants are so incredible, and music to be stranded with on a desert island. Over to Chloe, Darren, Marie and Lorenzo.
Wondering what the trainee scheme is?
We run the design trainee scheme every year, so keep an eye out for the latest details on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Careers site.
Chloe
With a background in branding, Chloe has spent the last five years creating corporate and campaign identities for ethical brands and organisations. She describes herself as a naturally curious designer, always asking questions and seeking out opportunities to learn and grow.
What is your first design placement and what are you working on?
My first placement is with Ö÷²¥´óÐã iPlayer. I'm currently working on a UI evolution project, focusing on defining a visual strategy for events imagery.
How did you get into design?
I have always been curious. As a child, I would take toys apart just to find out how they worked. I would also get lost in a world of my imagination, drawing and making things. My mum is an artist and has always been a source of inspiration and encouragement when it comes to being creative. At school, I discovered that I was a visual learner and this, coupled with my interest in problem solving, set me on a path to study design.
What have been the highlights of your first few weeks?
I really enjoyed getting to know my fellow trainees while remotely collaborating on a five-day design sprint. We were given the challenge of exploring how we might use the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's products and services to improve people's wellbeing during the pandemic. It was great to jump straight into collaboratively understanding and solving problems for users.
Name three things you love.
Documentary photography, swimming in the sea, and dark chocolate digestives.
Darren
Darren has spent the past few years working with some of the world's most influential brands to visualise their data in a meaningful and impactful way. His first placement as a Ö÷²¥´óÐã trainee is with our Systems and Service Design team.
How did you get into design?
I studied art direction and did an honours degree in branding. My background is actually based more in data visualisation and dashboard design. The trainee scheme is fantastic as it recruits across varied design backgrounds.
What have been the highlights of your first few weeks?
It was great to meet the inspirational leadership team from UX&D. It's also been really interesting to hear about the internal workings of all the different teams within the Ö÷²¥´óÐã. And I really enjoyed induction brief - the energy and work ethic in the team was fantastic and it was a great way to help us get ready for our placements.
What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?
Don't hesitate, and apply. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry while getting exposure to various different Ö÷²¥´óÐã products and projects during your placements.
And most importantly - what's your favourite animal and why?
A Golden Labrador. I'm a huge dog fan and labradors are very loyal, energetic, intelligent and kind.
Marie
Marie graduated from the IT University of Copenhagen with a bachelors and master's degree in Digital Design. Before joining the Ö÷²¥´óÐã she worked as a UX Designer for Coop Denmark, and advocates for ethical reflection at the heart of every design decision.
What is your first design placement and what are you working on?
My first placement is in Sport, on a project examining how information is posted on Live pages. I've been creating mock-ups and conducting user tests, which have been really interesting. It's amazing how the smallest details can influence perceptions.
Name three things you love.
I have always been really interested in art, architecture, and design, and I really love things having an aesthetic quality - I get really inspired when looking at something I find beautiful. I love my friends and family - which I am reminded of even more now, where Covid are forcing us to distance. And lastly, almond pain au chocolate – absolutely delicious!
How did you get into design?
I've always really loved to draw and create things. As a teenager, I helped my architect father to analyse pedestrian flows in urban spaces. I learned that the art of design is not limited to visual aesthetic, but equally focuses on changes in behaviour for people using it.
What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?
Do it! Dedicating a whole year to becoming comfortable in four different Ö÷²¥´óÐã products is amazing. The scheme is such a great opportunity to shape your UX career, as you can spend the year exploring different disciplines within UX, while getting to know lots of talented designers.
Lorenzo
Lorenzo has just completed his master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction Design. Before that, he worked as a designer and creative developer in advertising technology. One of his first commercial projects was for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã History department.
What is your first design placement and what are you working on?
I've just started in Ö÷²¥´óÐã News. I'm working on creating an experience that communicates the 'gist' of an article to users.
What have been the highlights of your first few weeks?
Despite working from home, I've met lots of people and there's a real sense of a community with everyone being very supportive. It's been amazing to start learning about what goes on behind the scenes and begin to understand how such a large organisation operates.
What's your favourite animal and why?
Elephants because they're powerful, majestic and clever. They share their knowledge and survival skills to their offspring which subsequently gets passed down through many generations.
What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?
Make sure your portfolio is well structured, shows your process and tells a story. Learn about the Ö÷²¥´óÐã and what they are currently doing, particularly in UX&D. Ö÷²¥´óÐã designers sometimes participate in UX conferences and events (now online); try and attend these as they will help you get a better understanding, gain key insights, and of course, learn about UX.
A playlist from our trainees 🎧
We've all felt a little lonely and deserted over the past year. But music has a way of keeping us company even in the toughest of times, so we asked Chloe, Darren, Lorenzo and Marie to share their desert island discs with us.
We popped them into a playlist. Be warned, absolute tunes ensue.
🎵 Childish Gambino – Redbone
🎵 Nina Simone – Baltimore
🎵 Lucio Battisti – La canzone del sole
🎵 Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
🎵 Bon Iver – 33 "GOD"
🎵 Jeff Buckley – Grace
🎵 Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
🎵 Elton John – Rocket Man
🎵 Tina Dico – Copenhagen
🎵 Mumford and Sons - There Will Be Time
🎵 Foo Fighters - Times Like These
🎵 The Streets - Blinded By The Lights
Let us know which track you're loving the most by tweeting us 😀
(Oh and while we're on the subject of socials…you can follow us over on and too.)
Interested in becoming a design trainee at the Ö÷²¥´óÐã?
We run the design trainee scheme every year, so keep an eye out for the latest details for 2021 on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Careers site.
Design Trainees interviewed by Al Jones, Senior UX Designer. Words by Katherine Bradshaw-Jones, Senior UX Writer. Illustrated by Joe Maguire, Senior UX Designer.
