Alumni
Chatting with DFM Alumni: Amelia Iverson
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11 August 2020
What sort of projects did you work on at DFM? In the Toolbox Class, we got to work on prototyping. For one of the exercises, we had to create a catapult out of cardboard. With that catapult, we had to activate three different switches with a metal ball and then launch a plastic ball, many metres away from each other. We also had to transform a remote-control car into an amphibious vehicle – it had to actually go through water, which I found really cool. Finally, I did an industry project as part of the Innovation Challenge, where my team and I worked with Seek to come up with a career guide for young people to be put on Seek’s website.
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And then you’re also working with a prototype – so you’ve got visual communication and verbal communication. And I think all of those really improve through that.
Also some cooking skills, because there’s a giant kitchen at DFM and I found myself making things which I wouldn’t normally make at home.
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Where has DFM taken you? I was really lucky, because I was able to self-source a professional placement with DFM. I have been working as a Workshop Associate for almost a year, and will finish my placement in about a month.
Now, considering that the COVID-19 situation has been affecting Swinburne financially, If I’m not able to be hired afterwards, at least I’ll have some great industry experience and industry support. I’m sure they’ll support me in whichever direction I go.
“It has cemented the fact that I love working in creative, open environments that are really supportive of ambiguity.”
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Afterwards, I’ve realised how transferable the skills I learnt at DFM are and appreciated how everybody across the Design Factory Global Network are practicing these skills.
Sound good? If you are interested in having a Design Factory experience as part of your degree – check out your study options here or email us to chat to the team.