Helen Wright

Brunel

In 2007 I graduated in BSc Industrial Design.

‘neenaw’ was a project I was given by the RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf). They asked me to design something to help warn deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers about the approach of on-coming emergency vehicles, as it is difficult or impossible for them to hear the sirens. In the end the project catered for hearing people as well as it is difficult to pick up sounds coming from outside especially with modern car insulation and louder entertainment systems. ‘neenaw’ was a little unit which attached itself to the inside of the users windscreen and had an external microphone which listened out for the sirens. When it heard one, it beeped and flashed to alert the driver. Neil Thomas, who was my contact at RNID had said there was the possibility that they’d like to develop it further, however, Neil has now left the company.

Something I don’t think I ever perfected was time management, but I think I did become more organised. I have also developed a good eye for detail and for graphic layouts. I learnt how to control my stress levels and developed a well rounded, overall knowledge for the design process.

I think my happiest times were the two years I spent at Runnymede. It was a real community there. Just several hundred design students on one campus causing mayhem. That was fantastic! I really enjoyed the final year too, we partied when we could and just really made the most of the last year we had together. The time I spent at Brunel ended up being the happiest years of my life.

Made in Brunel

I was Creative Team Leader for Made in Brunel 2006 . It was definitely worthwhile. I had never had such responsibility before, so just that was a great experience for me. I learnt how to delegate and how to manage a team of people, and through my involvement in the design and production of the book I have been given projects at my current work in book production for our clients. I think I got a lot of attention at the show because of my involvement too, which is always a good thing. The Team Leaders were taken to Beijing to visit Tshinghua University, which was a once in a lifetime trip. It was just amazing. I had never experienced such a different culture before. That journey helped to offset the stress I had endured during my final year! It really was a fantastic end to my University life at Brunel.

At the show, I got a fair bit of interest. I had people leaving their cards with me and had an interview with The Angel Investor magazine. Because I knew I already had a job, I didn’t follow any of it up but it still was nice to be wanted though!

Work

I now work at a small graphic design consultancy called Paper Dog. It is run by two former Brunel students, Oliver Morgan and Amo Khera. We create identities, do advertising, marketing, illustrations, magazines, posters and exhibtions for digital and print.

I’m not sure what my plans for the future are to be honest. I’m ever so happy here at Paper Dog and intend on staying here for the foreseeable future. I do want to do a master degree at some point, but I need to build up my portfolio first. But who knows what will happen!

Brunel graduates are different to the rest. I think its the passion and pride we have for our work. Not many students I know are willing to spend literally 24/7 working on projects. We push each other really hard and because of this I think the quality of students that come out of Brunel is very high.