A celebration of our Design Academy

Back in June 2023 we launched a year-long Design Graduate Scheme. Our goal was to bridge the gap for individuals entering the design industry, whether they were transitioning from graduating, returning to work after caring responsibilities, or pivoting careers. Successful applicants for the scheme were selected from a large pool of over 500 applicants over the Summer of 2023, with the offer of joining us as a full-time member of our team for 12 months.  

In September 2023, we officially welcomed a cohort of ten brilliant people into TPXimpact - known as the ‘crew’.  By this point our Graduate Scheme had become known as our Design Academy – a programme designed to blend rigorous learning with what we hoped was a real world experience of delivery in a busy digital transformation business … #NoPressure

A year to remember

The programme began with an intensive 12-week bootcamp designed to dive into design and research methods along with collaborative ways of working. The bootcamp was a mix of structured learning, with expert-led sessions, including weekly inspiration from our Chief Design Officer, Ben Holliday, and hands-on project work. The crew delved into the fundamentals of design, starting with understanding briefs and conducting research, progressing to synthesis and prototyping, and culminating in pitches and service assessments. They gained invaluable experience in turning insights into actionable ideas and refining them through iteration, preparing them for the fast-paced world of design.

The programme also emphasised mentorship, with every participant supported by TPXimpact buddies. The crew sought out their own subject matter experts within our communities of practice to help set up these pairings.

Learning to work with clients

Throughout the programme, we aimed to give our cohort meaningful experiences of what it’s like to work with clients as part of a digital transformation business.

For example, early in the bootcamp, the crew met Martin, their ‘client’ and one of our experienced Design Leads. Martin brought his role to life, challenging the group to redesign the UK’s train ticketing system for a more integrated, user-centric, and sustainable experience. While Martin provided guidance, the crew were encouraged to step up, conducting stakeholder interviews and organising pop-up research near train stations in London and Manchester. 

This hands-on approach helped the crew hone their design research skills and prepared them to take on real-world challenges with confidence. It also really showed off the proactivity, critical thinking and general thirst to be in the industry that the crew showed throughout the year. We really did strike gold with these 10 humans.

Gaining real delivery experience

At the end of the bootcamp, the cohort moved on to test their skills in new teams and projects, transitioning into client project teams or internal initiatives. Alongside their project work, the crew joined thriving communities of practice, fostering their growth and connection within the design field.

With foundations of learning established during the bootcamp, when the crew eventually joined our client project teams and other initiatives, they were able to apply what they had learned in live environments, all contributing meaningfully to real projects, while continuing to deepen their expertise.

Building for the future

The success of this cohort has been very much down to the amazing crew, their intelligence, and how their team spirit has shone through as a group. We’re also grateful to the wider TPXimpact team who supported the programme at every step. It takes the whole organisation to raise an academy!

It was also great to see some of the crew sharing their experiences and journeys during the year. On our design blog, Ron shared his journey and how he had to navigate cultures in the Design Academy and Sonia shared what she had learned from her time on the programme.

Luis Montanha also shared a great example of the proactivity and self led learning of the crew, writing up his experience from attending an event hosted by Content Folks on applying trauma-informed principles to content design.

For us, we’ve now set ourselves a benchmark for how we invest in the next generation of designers, celebrating creativity and resilience every step of the way.