Case studies: Design engineer: Isabelle

Isabelle works in a team of 15 design engineers who develop new products for Gillette based on careful analysis of customer needs

Isabelle studied product design at Brunel University, which involved her completing a 13-month placement with Gillette as part of her course. After graduating, Isabelle returned to Gillette where she now works as a design engineer.

She finds speaking to consumers and designing something that will make their lives easier hugely satisfying and likes creatively thinking of solutions to technical problems.

Her role involves her working on a variety of projects where she has the opportunity to take the lead. As she develops her design skills and becomes more experienced she will lead on more demanding projects - a prospect that she is looking forward to.

Isabelle feels that her degree has given her an overview of the design process, which has been essential preparation for her career. The skills that she has developed are transferable across a range of design occupations and her course mates have subsequently found work as web and graphic designers as well as industrial designers.

She first found out about the placement with Gillette through her university careers service. They had arranged for Gillette to visit Brunel University to give a presentation about job and placement opportunities and to meet students who were interested in the company. Isabelle attended the presentation and stayed right to the end so that she could speak directly to the representatives.

After applying, she was offered an interview where she showed the panel her portfolio and discussed design ideas. She was asked to describe design that inspires her and to explain her thought process when creating solutions to design problems.

Isabelle feels that it is crucial for a product/industrial designer to have a passion for design and the ability to understand consumer needs. She enjoys working for a consumer-driven company such as Procter & Gamble Gillette who aim to improve lives through everyday solutions.