The Problem
As a member of a leading academic institution, I had the privilege of witnessing students’ transition from academia to careers in design. However, the reality was disheartening. Outdated modules left them ill-equipped, human–computer interaction practices focused more on delivering the final product than on cultivating an understanding of the design process rooted in problem solving, and an unhealthy fixation on grades over embracing the journey — all contributed to a concerning trend.
A week would rarely pass without an email from a student or recent graduate seeking assistance or work experience opportunities. This painted a vivid picture of their struggles as they attempted to enter the industry. It was clear to me that I could play a role in addressing the problem at hand.
Why was it important?
The creative industries contributed £109 billion to the UK economy in 2021, rising to £116 billion in 2023. But this growth wasn’t reflected for junior designers, who had been disproportionately affected, with businesses favouring more experienced talent.
I was concerned that without the opportunities, how do we expect junior designers to become our design leaders of tomorrow? We had some great talent who weren’t given the right opportunities. The University’s motto is ‘University for public good’. I couldn’t think of a better way I could contribute than giving back to the community and giving young talent a kick-start in life.
The plan
I set my sights high with the ambition to establish a rolling one-year UX placement scheme. Open to individuals undertaking a year in industry or recent graduates from any UK university, the programme aimed to attract top junior talent from diverse backgrounds, not limited to our own institution, as I recognised great talent comes from all walks of life.
With a meticulously crafted business case, I pitched for £100,000 in funding to support our first cohorts of students. The investment would empower aspiring UX designers, researchers and service design enthusiasts through a hands-on, experiential learning programme integrated within our existing UX&D team. Participants would tackle real-life briefs, gaining invaluable practical experience and building a diverse portfolio to enhance their prospects in the competitive UX industry and related sectors.
Moreover, the scheme sought to extend its impact by offering short-term work experience opportunities to local schools, colleges and university students, providing them with a glimpse into the world of UX and higher education.
The outcome
After a tense wait, the project secured full funding, propelling me into action to roll out the scheme for the 2022/23 academic year, with recruitment commencing in Easter of that year. Our inaugural cohort achieved remarkable milestones, including attendance at UX conferences, spearheading product designs, and presenting research findings to our vice-chancellor. Additionally, we facilitated work experience placements from local schools, raising aspirations and expectations for what a creative career may look like.
Following swiftly, the 2023/24 cohort addressed a diverse array of problem spaces, spanning product design to service enhancements and generative research projects. Central to our programme’s ethos is providing budding talent with the latitude to make mistakes, seize new opportunities and position themselves for success in their burgeoning UX careers. I have every confidence the UX placement scheme will go from strength to strength in the years ahead, which all started with a simple idea to make a difference.
Project information
Expertise
Leadership and line management
Pitching
Proposition documentation
Budgeting
Learning & development