A FOOT IN THE DESIGN DOOR

EILISH Bailey always knew she wanted to work in the creative industry but making that a reality seemed out of reach, especially without a degree. So when she heard about a free programme called Business by Design Academy, from designer giant Kurt Geiger, Eilish, 21, from Ealing, West London, leapt at the chance to get her foot in the door.

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What do you do?

My role as a footwear design admin assistant at Carvela is dynamic and ever-evolving - no two days are the same.

I support the design team across a variety of tasks, including creating and updating CADs (computer aided design) and technical specifications, sourcing materials, and communicating with suppliers.

I also assist with trend research, which often involves visiting key retail locations such as Selfridges and Harrods.

Additionally, I manage shipment tracking for samples and compile wholesale and production data using Excel, helping to ensure the design and development process runs smoothly.

What do you love about it?

I find it really rewarding being involved in the design process from start to finish.

Gaining insight into how a product is developed, from the initial sketch to the final physical item, and seeing the stages and trials it goes through along the way is amazing.

What challenges have you faced?

The pace is fast, and there was definitely a steep learning curve, especially early on as I was learning on the job.

One of the biggest challenges is being able to adapt quickly to new, often varied tasks.