De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) graduate George Alborn has beaten fierce competition from 723 applicants to secure one of just seven coveted trainee roles with the BBC.
George, from Leicester, is now working on a ‘top secret app’ at the public-service broadcaster’s multi-million-pound MediaCity UK complex in Salford, Manchester, as a user experience designer.
The former Groby Community College pupil, who graduated this summer with a first in Graphic Design, will spend the next year rotating across a range of products – which could involve anything from news to CBeebies – working on user research, information architecture, content analysis, interaction design, visual design, prototyping and much more.
He said: “It’s about creating a cohesive journey across whatever interface you’re using, whether it’s a sports website or iPlayer. We’re the people who help you get to where you want to go more easily.
“At the moment I’m working on a top secret app, so I’m not allowed to say too much about it! But I love coming in to work and what’s really cool is that I’ve never worked in digital before. Most of my experience has been in creative for advertising and product design, so I’m learning so much.
“It doesn’t matter to the BBC about your background – it could be architecture, it could be graphics – because they train you. They are more interested in your enthusiasm and potential. You’re not treated as an intern; you’re part of big team, sitting next to senior designers, creative directors and product managers, learning on the job.”
George said the creative freedom he’d enjoyed while studying his degree and his tutors’ encouragement to enter major competitions had really improved his portfolio, made him stand out from the crowd and given him the confidence which helped him secure his new role.
During his time at DMU George’s work was chosen as one of the winning entries for the Design and Art Direction (D&AD) New Blood Awards 2015, one of the world’s leading creative competitions. He was also commended in the 2013/14 YCN Student Awards, which are designed to ‘shine a light on emerging creative excellence’, and won a point-of-sale display competition organised by local design and print company Full Square.
Ben Archer, graphic design senior lecturer, said: “We’re delighted by George’s early career success; his accomplishment is a direct reflection of the brains, personality and commitment he brings to the situation, and this has been true of all his undergraduate coursework.”
Latest results from the annual Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey revealed that 95.8 per cent of DMU graduates from summer 2014 were in work or further study six months after graduating – above the national average of 93.2 per cent. More than three-quarters were in graduate-level jobs.
DMU’s excellent record on graduate employability helped it put in another strong performance in the Sunday Times Good University Guide league tables this year.
DMU enjoyed a meteoric rise up the tables last year, leaping 32 places from 86th to 54th position, to become the most improved university in Britain.
Alastair McCall, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016, has praised DMU for not only maintaining a strong position but rising a further place to 53rd this year.
Posted on Tuesday 27 October 2015