Work Experience at Optima: Diving into the World of Design
Date published: 12 November 2026 Updated: 12 November 2026
Work experience is something we genuinely believe in at Optima. Getting into the creative industry is difficult, particularly when you’re applying for your first role. Employers understandably want to see experience, knowledge and a portfolio of work, but how do you demonstrate that when you've not yet had the opportunity to build it?
For us, offering work experience is one of the simplest ways to help the next generation of creatives get a foot in the door. It gives them something meaningful to take away, whether that’s insight into new skills, work for their portfolio, a better understanding of the industry, or simply the confidence to pursue a creative career.
Meet Izzy
A couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming Izzy, an A-level student passionate about all things creative, to our studio.
Izzy first reached out to us during the summer by email and phone (and popped into the studio with a letter of interest, which we were very impressed with!). We were able to organise her placement for the October half-term.
As with all of our work experience students, we tailored her time with us to her interests, in this case drawing, illustration, creative thinking and idea mapping. We put together a plan that let her explore them using the tools and approaches she’d likely encounter in the industry.
Collaboration is a huge part of how our design team works, and we want students to experience that too: sharing ideas, getting feedback, exploring different approaches and having people around you who genuinely champion your thinking. Throughout her time at Optima, Izzy worked alongside the team and had support and input along the way.
Ultimately, that's what makes work experience worthwhile. It's not just about spending a few days in a design studio. It's about leaving with something you didn't have when you arrived, whether that's a piece of work, a new skill, a bit more confidence or a clearer idea of where you want to go next.
At the end of her work experience with us, Izzy shared how it went! Over to Izzy...
Why Optima?
I was initially made aware of Optima because I live locally. I would always see the messages on the chalkboard outside and thought they were very cool!
When I had to find work experience with my school, my mum immediately suggested Optima. She had worked with Simon Shaw in the past and had nothing but amazing things to say about her experience with the company.
I currently take A-level art, photography and media studies, all of which I am really enjoying (which is not something I think most A-level students could say)! So, I felt like Optima would be the right fit for me.
What I got up to
I worked on a variety of different projects during my time at Optima, including drafting a design for the 2026 Christmas e-shot and creating mock-ups for a website that had just gone live!
I worked mostly in Photoshop and Illustrator, which felt daunting at first as I had limited prior experience, but the team were all super patient and helpful when it came to navigating new software. I also used Procreate on my personal iPad to sketch ideas when making drafts.
What I learnt
On top of gaining some valuable knowledge about digital design software, I was also introduced to the experience of working in an office setting. It allowed me to apply my skills outside of an academic setting and made me feel like I was contributing to something useful, instead of just producing work to get a grade.
On my second afternoon, we had a team meeting where everyone discussed recent achievements and projects. The discussions opened my eyes to how much goes on behind the scenes. Working with clients isn’t always easy, deadlines are tight and there’s far more to organise than meets the eye. It showed me how many layers go into a successful and functional outcome.
My plans for the future
Before my work experience, I can safely say I had no clue what I wanted to do post-sixth form. After just three days at Optima, my ideas for what I can do with my qualifications have really solidified. I would love to go into graphic design for print and digital media. I’ve always been a creative mind; I just never knew where to take it! I would also be open to looking into photography or TV and film, but graphic design is what I am most passionate about.
I am so glad to have had this opportunity with Optima. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it, and it’s really helped me understand the ins and outs of the industry. The whole team were welcoming and helpful throughout, and I’ll be coming back to Optima when I’m looking at my post-sixth form options. A note from the Optima team Thank you, Izzy, for spending part of your half-term with us. It was a pleasure having you in the studio, and we can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you.
A note from the Optima team
Thank you, Izzy, for spending part of your half-term with us. It was a pleasure having you in the studio, and we can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you.
