Joseph Peters

Design for Industry

Where are you from?

Harrogate

Why did you choose Northumbria University, Newcastle?

Because it offered the perfect blend of a great course and a great city to live in which I was already familiar with as my family originates from the area. The facilities at the design building were also second to none and the course seemed to offer the best chance of employment in comparison to rival courses.

What do you think of Newcastle and our region and what are your favourite things to do?

I love the region, the people are so friendly and welcoming and the area in and around Newcastle has a lot of natural beauty; I love the fact that the coast is so close by to such a major city. I often find myself and a few friends going on a trip to the football or along to Tynemouth.

What have you enjoyed most about coming to Northumbria University?

I have enjoyed watching myself grow up an awful lot and progressing a lot in my professional skills in a healthy working environment.

What is your favourite place on campus?

The Design School, it's so fresh and airy and always light.

What is the best thing about your course?

The friendships that have formed as we spend a lot of time together.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learnt to date?

Don't spend your student finance all at once, try to monitor how much you drink, never leave an assignment until the last minute, take responsibility for your own welfare.

What do you want to do in the future? What skills have you learned/improved that you think will be of most use in your future career?

I want to be able to travel the world and see as many new things and cultures as possible. I want to change the world of design for the better by designing for the poor 95% of the population. I think the most important skill I have learnt at Northumbria is independence, I have learnt to make myself learn and enjoy it; by making myself inquisitive to new things and aspects of my course and then going out to learn these things.

Have you worked on any projects with businesses or been on a placement? What were your most memorable experiences?

I am currently on placement with an architectural ironwork company in South Wales, learning new skills in design and business but also assisting them in bringing 3D CAD models into their work and trying to expand their range of designs. I have also worked on live projects with Lacoste, Philips and Intel.

Have you taken up any opportunities to travel with your current course/undertake field trips? If so, please tell us about them.

In the first year, we were given the task of visiting a place of manufacture and learning how their products are made, how the business is run etc. A course mate and I visited a refrigerated room and vehicle company. We were shown how post production refrigerated vans for supermarkets were designed and manufactured, we were also shown a side business of glass fibre mouldings.

If you could offer some advice to students thinking of coming to study here what would you say?

I'd say make absolutely sure that university is the right thing for you as it isn't for some people. Secondly, make sure that you are going to the right university and going to do the right course for you; take advice from as many people as you can get about courses and places but don't be bullied as only you have to live through your decision. I'd also say be prepared for a lot of hard work, university is very different to school and college as there is no one there to keep pushing at you all the time; with this find an activity or a few that have nothing to do with your course and pursue them.

How do you feel you have changed as a person since being at Northumbria University, Newcastle (e.g. confidence)?

I feel that I am a lot more confident in my own abilities! I have become a better listener and recognise that people older than me may well be wiser and be worth listening to!