CLASS OF 2016: Double trouble! DMU graduates snapped up by world-leading exhibition designers


Landing exciting jobs with a world-leading exhibition design company was the perfect graduation reward for two creative Interior Design graduates from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

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Milena and Zoe outside hsd's grand-looking headquarters in Leicester

Milena Wiorkiewicz and Zoe Lee impressed Haley Sharpe Design (hsd), whose designers have worked on high-profile projects across the UK, Middle East and North America.

Milena has been working as a junior 3D visualiser since the start of July, taking briefs from the design team and using her artistic skills to generate visual representations of those ideas.

Using specialist software such as Sketchup, 3ds Max, Photoshop, and video editing programmes to create animated presentations, Milena’s visuals are helping to develop in-house design ideas and to attract clients.

Although she mainly focused on residential projects while at DMU, Milena feels that the course prepared her well for her career helping her develop a good understanding of different design processes, as well as exploring different techniques and ways to communicate a concept.

She said: “I never thought I would be working in an exhibition design company. I feel really appreciated at hsd and it is very satisfying to see how all the effort and hard work pays off.”

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One month in and Milena has settled in nicely

Zoe has just joined hsd as a junior designer, working as part of hsd’s 3D design studio to support the senior designers on a wide range of projects.

She is one of the four students who designed DMU’s sustainable Energy Lab, which gave her valuable experience of a live project with a very specific brief, as well as working within a studio environment.

Zoe said: “I was really worried about getting a job after uni and I prepared myself that I would have to contact a lot of companies and that it wouldn't be a quick process.

“The fact this job came up was amazing! It was quite overwhelming finding out I got it, but such a great feeling.”

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Zoe is all smiles as she gets to grips with her new job

With headquarters in Leicester and additional offices in Canada and South Africa, hsd will provide fantastic development opportunities for both Milena and Zoe.

They are both working on a wide range of projects already, including the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

hsd director and designer Jan Faulkner, said: “We were really impressed by Milena and Zoe when they came in for their interviews. They are both really talented and enthusiastic and so we’re looking forward to seeing them grow and develop new knowledge and skills.

“We are committed to investing in local talent to help ensure that we’ve got the right skills in place to meet continually increasing demand for design within the museum and heritage sector.

“Having a renowned university like DMU on our doorstep that offers an excellent Interior Design course means we regularly receive applications from very promising graduates – if we don't have any openings we’re always happy to advise on portfolios and interview techniques.”

Posted on Friday 5 August 2016

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