Those of you who listen regularly will know that from time to time, we like to talk with someone at the very start of their career journey. What drew them to work in their chosen sector? How well did their school education prepare them for what came next? What decisions and experiences have they had so far in their career?

In this episode, we do just that with Melis Eres, a model-making graduate from Arts University Bournemouth. Originally from Canada, Melis moved to the UK to study at a British university. Partly drawn by the universaity and course offer, and helped by the fact that she had family in the area, Melis talks us through her three years at Bournemouth and what she gained from this.

After graduating, Melis decided she wanted as broad an experience as possible in the industry and chose not to work for one company, instead setting up as a freelancer. We discuss what factors influenced this decision and whether it was the 'brave' decision it may appear to an outsider. We also discuss some of the work she has undertaken so far and how each role has added to her repertoire and confidence.

Finally, we dig a little deeper into some of the sectors that Melis is making her own, namely food and theatre.

This is a great conversation with a designer finding her feet within the industry and one that teachers and their students, I know, will gain a lot from.

So kick back and listen to Designed for Life - In conversation with model-maker Melis Eres.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melis-eres-4912b633a/

https://www.strandmagazine.co.uk/single-post/the-art-of-the-almost-real-in-conversation-with-modelmaker-melis-eres

The Design & Technology Association is proud to enter its second year supporting Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow competition.

Solve for Tomorrow is a free-to-enter, tech-for-good competition which empowers students aged 11-18 to solve real-world problems in one of three carefully selected design contexts. Its objective is to empower young people, regardless of their background, to develop the future-ready skills required not just for employment, but for modern life.

In this podcast, we are joined by Jessie Soohyun Park (Head of Corporate and Social Responsibility for Samsung Electronics UK), and Amanda Moffatt and Lucinda Holmes, Head of D&T and STEM, and Art and Design and Technology teacher at Alderman Peel High School in Norfolk.

Alderman Peel entered all Year 9 students in the competition last year, and a group of Lucinda's students not only made it to the final but also won overall in their age group.

This year, Solve for Tomorrow is timed to coincide with Green Careers Week, which is scheduled to run nationally from November 2nd to 6th. This week highlights sustainable career pathways, emerging green technologies, and eco-friendly skill sets for young people, teachers, and parents.

Whether you want to learn more about Solve for Tomorrow and enter your own students, or follow the journey of two experienced teachers who successfully immersed themselves and their students in last year's competition, this podcast has something for everyone.

So, sit back, relax and listen to Designed for Life - In Conversation discussing Samsung Solve for Tomorrow & Green Careers Week.

To find out more about Solve for Tomorrow, please follow this link: https://solvefortomorrowuk.com/?utm_source=D&TA&utm_medium=Hark&utm_campaign=Oct_2026-Podcast-DesignTechnologyLeads-Secondary-UK-&utm_content=shownotes

And a press release celebrating last year's winning team from Alderman Peel High School: https://www.wensumtrust.org.uk/aldermanpeel/news-and-events/aphs-news/alderman-peel-students-impress-at-samsung

For the second year running, I am delighted that Designed for Life was recorded live at New Designers in London in early July.

I know some listeners won't be familiar with New Designers (https://www.newdesigners.com/), so what is it, and why is it so important?

New Designers is the UK's leading annual graduate design exhibition, showcasing the work of over 2,500 emerging designers across disciplines like product design, textiles, graphics, and contemporary crafts. Held in London every summer, it's a chance for newly graduated students to showcase their work, meet other students, and hopefully meet industry professionals who can help them enter the industry and sometimes assist with arranging interviews and work placements... It's a big deal!

This year, the quality of work demonstrated was, in my opinion, as varied across sectors and as high in quality as it has ever been (interestingly, that's not the opinion of some people online).

In this podcast, you'll hear a range of short conversations with students presenting at the show. I wandered the show, taking in all the presentations, and then went back to those that caught my eye, subjective, I know but hopefully I have managed to pick a pretty diverse group to talk to across materials and sectors.

Obviously, to gain full benefit from the pod, you also need to see the products described. We will put these on our website and add a link at the bottom of the show notes when it goes live.

Just two of the designers featured on this pod:

Freddie Bowhill
Fbowhilldesign. com

A purpose-built, fully inflatable rooftop tent for the weekend warrior to embrace the outdoors without the faff. Designed for the 17-year-old fresh from their test. The grandparents on kid duty. The full-time worker chasing two days out of seven. Structured weeks, narrow windows, every hour to count. Grab it from the closet, throw in the boot, pull over, pump it up, sleep anywhere. At 12kg and pitched in under two minutes on any roof bar, A-FRAME is the lightest, fastest, and most compact rooftop tent on the market. Built to be repaired. Built to CHASE THE FEELING.

Freja Malle Høyer

Instagram: frejamalle.embroidery .

Sit back and listen to Designed for Life, recorded live at New Designers 2026

To see some of the images mentioned on this podcast, visit Designed for Life - New Designers 2026 | D&T Association