There's a moment every design student hits - when university briefs give way to live projects, real clients and the pace of studio life. It's exciting. It's also intimidating. Which is exactly why good placements matter.

For more than ten years, we've partnered with Nottingham Trent University to give students that experience, with the support to make the most of it.

Two of our team share their stories here. Maisie joined us on a placement year and never looked back - she's now our Workplace Academy Lead. Amelia is partway through her own placement with us today.

Their experiences, in their own words, show what a placement can really offer: not just design skills, but confidence, connections and a genuine sense of belonging.

Why Placement Opportunities Matter More Than Ever

We asked Maisie and Amelia why placements matter - and why they matter more now than ever.

Maisie, Workplace Academy Lead

“When I look back at my placement year, I honestly loved every minute of it. In fact, I was genuinely gutted to leave and go back to university for my final year. After experiencing the pace and energy of working in a real studio environment, it was hard to return to hypothetical projects knowing how rewarding real industry experience could be.

What surprised me most was how quickly you become invested in the work. Seeing ideas develop beyond initial concepts and come to life was incredibly satisfying. At university, you focus a lot on creativity and presentation, but during my placement I began to understand the bigger picture - the collaboration, the problem solving and the relationships that sit behind every project.

The people side of the experience was just as important. You build genuine connections during a placement year, and those relationships help shape your confidence as much as your technical skills. Being surrounded by experienced designers and consultants gave me a much clearer understanding of the industry and where I could see myself within it.

Graduating during Covid made the transition into employment feel particularly uncertain. There was a real fear around whether jobs would be available and what opportunities would look like after university. Thankfully, my placement year meant I had already built strong relationships and made a lasting impression within the business. I already had a foot in the door, which gave me a huge sense of reassurance at a time when many graduates - including some of my friends - were struggling to get started.

For students entering the industry now, I think placements matter more than ever. University gives you the foundation, but placements give you confidence. They help bridge the gap between education and reality in a way that lectures simply can't replicate.

It's simple things like email etiquette and even what to wear which you can't learn at university. Picking up the phone can be the scariest thing ever!”

Amelia, Placement Designer

“As a placement student, entering a professional environment for the first time was initially daunting, but the support and mentorship I immediately received helped me quickly build confidence in my abilities and feel valued within the team.

During my placement year, I've grown considerably both professionally and creatively as a designer. Working within a fast-paced environment has highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and adaptability within both industry practice and university studies. I have become more confident presenting my ideas and working collaboratively within a team. Stepping outside of my comfort zone has allowed me to develop not only my professional skills, but also my confidence and identity as a young, aspiring designer.

I believe placement opportunities are invaluable in helping young designers, such as myself, develop confidence, gain practical industry skills, and successfully transition into a career after graduation.”

What Students Gain from Real Industry Experience

The jump from concept board to live project changes everything. Here's what that looked like for both of them.

Maisie

“One of the biggest differences between university and industry is seeing how ideas move beyond a concept board and become something real. During a placement, you suddenly find yourself working on live projects with real deadlines, real clients and real expectations - and that changes your perspective incredibly quickly.

For me, one of the most exciting parts was understanding how collaborative workplace design really is. At university, projects can often feel quite individual, but in practice you're constantly learning from the people around you. Designers, consultants, suppliers, project managers and clients all contribute to the final outcome, and being part of that process teaches you so much more than technical skills alone.

You also learn how important communication is. It's not just about creating a great idea - it's about explaining it clearly, adapting when challenges arise and learning how to work confidently within a team. Those are things that can feel intimidating at first, but they're also the moments where you grow the fastest.

The pace of industry pushes you out of your comfort zone, but in the best possible way. You learn resilience, adaptability and how to think on your feet. There's also something incredibly rewarding about seeing your work become part of a real environment that people will eventually experience and use every day.

Most importantly, placements help you start believing in yourself. You stop feeling like a student pretending to be a designer and begin to feel like you genuinely belong in the industry.”

Amelia

“When I first joined Workplace Creations, I did not fully appreciate the range of opportunities and responsibilities within the design and build industry. Although my studies in Interior Architecture provided me with a strong creative and conceptual foundation, gaining experience within a professional environment has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the entire design process, from initial concept through to project completion.

My time at Workplace Creations has helped bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. I have developed practical experience working on live projects, collaborating with clients and suppliers, and gaining insight into how designs are implemented within real-world environments. Through this experience, I have strengthened both my technical abilities and professional skills.

With my return to university fast approaching, I now feel far more prepared to approach my final year projects with a more mature and professional perspective.”

The Role of Mentorship in Creative Development

Behind every confident designer is someone who took the time to teach them. For Maisie and Amelia, mentorship made the difference.

Maisie

“Looking back now, one of the biggest things that shaped my placement experience was the level of mentorship and support I received while I was learning. Workplace Creations was a much smaller company at the time, which naturally meant the design director and senior designers had more time to work closely with me day to day. I was constantly encouraged to ask questions, get involved and take every opportunity to learn from different parts of the business.

That openness made a huge difference to my confidence early on. Instead of feeling nervous about not knowing everything, I felt supported to learn through observation, conversations and hands-on experience. Some of the most valuable lessons came from simply sitting in meetings, listening to how people communicated with clients or watching how challenges were approached creatively as a team.

One thing that really stayed with me was the importance of passion. I was taught very early on that caring deeply about your projects and ideas is one of the most valuable things you can bring into the industry. When you're passionate about your work, it naturally builds confidence - both in yourself and in the people around you. Clients respond to it, colleagues respond to it, and ultimately it makes the whole process way more fun.

Now that the business has grown significantly, mentorship has become even more important to me. My role as Placement Lead really came from recognising that, as a larger company, we have to work harder to make sure placement students still receive the same level of one-to-one support and guidance that I was lucky enough to experience myself. We never want students to feel like they're simply observing from the sidelines - the goal is to help them feel genuinely involved, supported and excited about where a career in design could take them.”

Amelia

“Through the guidance, experience, and ongoing mentorship of Maisie and the wider team, I have developed into a far more confident and self-assured young designer during my placement year.

Being surrounded by experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge, provide constructive feedback, and encourage my development has had a significant impact on both my personal and professional growth.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given to contribute as a designer within the business, rather than simply feeling like a placement student. I take great pride in the responsibilities given to me and consistently approach every task with enthusiasm, allowing both my creativity and personality to be reflected in the work I produce.”

Why Businesses Should Invest in Emerging Talent

Placements aren't a one-way street. Fresh talent gives back as much as it gets - here's the case for investing in it.

Maisie

“For me, investing in placement students has never felt like simply offering work experience - it's about giving someone the same opportunity and confidence that was once given to me.

Because I had such a positive placement experience myself, I know firsthand how much impact the right environment can have on someone at the very beginning of their career. A year in industry can completely change how a student sees themselves and their future within design. It gives them confidence, connections and a clearer understanding of where their strengths lie.

What's exciting is that placement students also bring huge value back into the business. They come in with fresh perspectives, new ideas and a different way of looking at things. They ask questions that challenge assumptions and often bring an energy and enthusiasm that lifts the whole team. Design is constantly evolving, so having emerging talent around keeps studios curious, adaptable and open minded.

I also think businesses have a responsibility to help support the next generation coming into the industry. Breaking into creative industries can feel incredibly difficult without experience, but of course getting experience is often the hardest part in the first place. Meaningful placements help bridge that gap.

Seeing my own journey progress from placement student to Workplace Academy Lead is proof of how valuable long-term investment in people can be. When businesses genuinely support emerging talent, they're not only helping students in the short term - they're helping shape future designers, future leaders and ultimately the future culture of the industry itself.”

Amelia

“One of the biggest lessons I've learned during my placement year is the importance of collaboration within the industry. As previously mentioned by Maisie, projects completed at university are entirely individual and we do not experience collaborative work. I've learnt that sharing ideas and building on each other's concepts is incredibly valuable when developing strong and creative outcomes.

Experiences like this highlight the value of placement opportunities, not only in supporting students as they develop their careers, but also in providing businesses with enthusiastic emerging talent who can contribute fresh perspectives, creativity, and new ideas to the industry.”

Looking Ahead: Supporting the Next Generation of Designers

So what comes next? Two perspectives on where the industry - and the people in it - go from here.

Maisie

“The workplace design industry is always evolving, and I think the next generation of designers will play a huge role in shaping what comes next. Technical skills will always matter, but qualities like curiosity, collaboration and adaptability are becoming just as important.

Looking back, my placement year gave me far more than industry experience alone. It gave me confidence, relationships and a genuine sense of belonging within the design world. It helped me realise that you do not need to have everything figured out immediately - you just need to be willing to learn, ask questions and get involved.

That's something I always try to encourage in placement students now. The people who grow the most are often the ones who stay curious, embrace opportunities and throw themselves into experiences, even when things feel unfamiliar at first.

For businesses, continuing to invest time and energy into mentoring emerging talent is incredibly important. The future of the industry depends on creating environments where young designers feel supported, inspired and excited about their careers.

And ultimately, that's what great placement programmes should do - not just prepare students for the industry but make them feel like they already belong within it.”

Amelia

“As a young designer having nearly completed my placement year, I feel incredibly optimistic and excited about my future within the design industry. The experience has not only developed my technical and professional skills, but has also given me confidence in my own creative abilities and the value I can bring as a young designer.

One of the most rewarding parts of my placement was having the opportunity to work alongside work experience students and help support their introduction into the industry. Being able to share my own experiences, offer guidance, and encourage their creativity allowed me to give something back to the business that invested so much into my own development.

‍I understand how valuable encouragement and support can be at the beginning of a creative career, and it was rewarding to hopefully inspire the next generation of designers in the same way I was inspired throughout my placement.”

Maisie's path - placement student to Workplace Academy Lead - is the whole point in miniature. Invest in people early, and you don't just build their careers. You help shape the future of the industry, and ours.

That's why we keep championing placements, mentoring emerging talent and making room for fresh thinking. It's also why we built the Workplace Academy - because everyone deserves the chance to fall for this industry the way we did. No passion, no point.

Interested in a placement with us? We'd love to hear from you.