Engage with industry
In addition to placements and internships, there are other opportunities for students to get valuable industry experience.
Whether as part of the set curriculum or optional opportunities, our students are able to engage with industry whilst studying their degree, including via competitions, visiting speakers and live briefs.
We are regularly contacted by industry requesting that our students work on projects with, or for them. Live projects are a valuable way for students to understand the wider demands of the creative industries in a supportive and nurturing environment. For project providers, live briefs offer the chance to work with engaged and committed students on a range of ideas without interruption or preconception.
Live projects and competitions are often launched at Loughborough University. Guest speakers from national and international external agencies and organisations have launched projects to our students, and then worked with them in an immediate capacity in the studio environment, or remotely using video conferencing to manage projects from distance. Students are encouraged to present their ideas professionally to external agencies with the support of staff and facility resources.
Methods of engagement
Live projects
The School arranges live projects, working with partnering industry contacts to create interesting scenarios and briefs. This style of project requires students to work on a set brief, which are created and reviewed by industry partners. It is an exciting opportunity for students to experience working on an industry brief and to produce a solution to a real-life scenario within specific considerations and constraints. Live projects have been set by companies including Milliken, Panasonic, Layer, DCA and Seymour Powell.
Competitions
There are many opportunities for students to expand their experience through industry-led competitions. The School supports some competitions as part of specific modules, organises internal competitions and encourages students to enter external competitions. Competitions are an exciting way for students to expand their experience, find new areas of interest and work as a team or an individual on an array of briefs and criteria.
Competitions our students have had success in include:
Enterprise Awards
As part of the Undergraduate Degree Show, students are given the opportunity to highlight the enterprising viability of their final project. These School-organised awards highlight how the student's project has commercial potential, showing their understanding of the market, target audience and viability of their project. The entries are presented to a panel of industry leaders who critique and judge the projects and award the winning designs. They are announced by the judges as part of the Degree Show. Judges have included contacts from Joseph Joseph, Dyson, Cambridge Consultants, Lucozade, Ribena, Suntory, Alexander McQueen, Sage Automotive Interiors, and IBM.
Visiting speakers
Industry contacts, and often alumni, are keen to pass on their industry insights and experience to our current students. Industry speakers may visit as part of a module, or as an extra activity for students to participate in. The speakers are encouraging and inspiring and provide students with valuable information from different perspectives, as well as offer the opportunity for students to interact with questions and answer sessions. Recent speakers have included contacts from IBM, Snook, Goya Design and The Hut Group (THG).
