I chose my course because of its reputation and consistently high rankings. I’d heard great things about the Design School, not least its positive student experience. It felt like a place where I could thrive, academically and personally.
The School itself has excellent facilities and studio rooms – spaces where I developed my skills, experimented with ideas and collaborated with others. Its strong sense of community provided an environment where I could grow as a designer while building strong friendships and connections with like-minded people.
Marathon project shifts in the School, alongside my friends, are a standout memory for me. Not just for the long hours and work, but the times we drifted to hang out, chat, share ideas and support each other.
My course certainly provided me with the skills, confidence and experience to launch my career.
It shaped the way I approach teamwork, problem-solving and the design process.
I was always encouraged to step outside of my comfort zone to explore different areas of design. I developed new skills and discovered specialisms that I hadn’t considered before.
I enjoyed the variety of modules open to me, spanning individual projects, collaborative work and briefs set by industry partners. Working on genuine design challenges made the projects feel more authentic, something reflected in the quality of solutions we developed.
The emphasis on collaboration and teamwork helped improve my communication and people skills. I learned how to contribute effectively within a team and consider different perspectives. The placement year in industry reinforced this while enhancing my organisational and time management skills.
My tutors’ feedback and support throughout the course played a big role in my development. It helped me become more confident in not only seeking feedback, but also how to evaluate and action it effectively.
Their support during my final major project was invaluable. This module had the most significant impact on my learning. I had the freedom to be more expressive and explore a topic that genuinely interested me.
Its longer duration allowed me to discover new ways of working. Collaborating with others while exploring new research and design methodologies enhanced my design approach. I became more independent as a designer, gaining the confidence to make critical decisions at every stage of a project.
Since graduating in 2025, I’ve started work as a Product Designer with AlphaSights. I’m part of a multi-functional team, delivering solutions within the expert knowledge industry.
My role involves overseeing projects from initial concept through to implementation, working closely with different teams to create user-centred solutions.
The collaboration and people skills acquired during my course have been particularly valuable in my career so far. They’ve helped me communicate effectively with colleagues and manage relationships with stakeholders. Working in project teams helped prepare me for the importance of presenting ideas, gaining feedback and adapting solutions based on input from everyone in the team.
I also continue to apply the iterative design process, honed during my degree, in my day-to-day work. Regularly testing, refining and improving ideas has become a key part of how I approach design.
My advice to anyone considering Loughborough Design School is – don’t hold back! Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Make the most of the School’s facilities, learn from the people around you and take advantage of your tutors’ expertise, guidance and feedback.