We’re running our design academy again. I’m going to share what previous Academy Alumni tell us they got from the experience.

First, what is the Academy? It’s an on-the-job training and development programme designed to help people kickstart a career, or switch careers.

It’s a paid role with many of the same perks as any other role at SPARCK.

The idea behind it is it to open a door so that people who’ve got the right abilities and mindset, and some experience in research or design, can find a way in.

We’ll start by training candidates in user research but are looking for candidates with an eye for design and more general passion for delivering user-centred products.

It starts with a two-week in-person course in Leeds, followed by three weeks of remote working, on a stimulating training project alongside:

  • Other Academy entrants – people who will be with you throughout your Academy journey.
  • The best of the best from SPARCK – user researchers, and designers from every discipline.

You’ll learn the principles of design thinking, human-centred design, and other important concepts.

Then you’ll be placed on a real-world client project alongside experienced designers and user researchers to further develop your skills.

Here you’ll get hands-on experience working in agile sprints, leading user interviews, facilitating workshops, and working with clients and stakeholders as a consultant.

That last one’s important. Working as a consultant is quite different to working in-house – and doing it for real is the best way to learn.

Although your training will be in user research initially, consultancy work is challenging, and driven by our brilliant clients. You’ll need to adapt and flex to client needs, learn on the job, and be active in developing your skills as the landscape changes.

Or, to put that another way, there are lots of opportunities to change tracks and, with time and support, become a truly ‘T-shaped’ designer-researcher.

Let me introduce you to Arriyana, Ayo, and Lizzy, previous graduates of the 2022 SPARCK User Research Academy...

A fantastic experience

“The initial training was intense but it was a fantastic experience,” says Arriyana Chundavadra, who graduated from the Academy in 2022.

“It was a great opportunity to learn about all the different aspects of user research and gave me a great toolbox of skills. I really enjoyed meeting lots of different people who shared their experience of being on projects and life at SPARCK.”

Lizzy Bevington, based in Manchester, agrees.

“The Academy was an incredible opportunity to learn fast,” she says.

“It was a safe space to try things, ask questions, and to fail. a chance to practice our skills before jumping into real client projects. I loved the intensive training in Leeds at the start, really getting to know other new SPARCKies and feeling part of the community from day one.”

After the initial training course, moving onto a real project, our academy graduates faced new challenges, as Ayo Adegbola told me.

“I enjoyed getting a chance to work on a real project before stepping into the role,” he says, “but it was challenging as we had to learn, assimilate and practice our learnings, all within the duration of the Academy.”

Smoothing the way for career changers

There’s lots of practical value in the Academy experience. For Lizzy and Ayo, it was about making the transition from a previous career track. Here’s Ayo:

“It made the transition from academic research much smoother. I learned how to structure, organise, and execute research in fast-paced, agile environments. While I was confident in my research abilities, the Academy was vital for helping me slot seamlessly into a team as I learned how agile teams function.”

“I learned a lot about applying research methods to client briefs,” says Lizzy, “and about how to work alongside designers in design sprints.”

An instant network of support

After the Academy, what’s it’s like working at SPARCK with that experience in your back pocket?

“From a team point of view,” says Arriyana, “it provided me with connection to a variety of different people who have supported me all the way. There’s no such thing as a silly question at SPARCK which makes me feel comfortable asking for support.”

“I’ve loved joining BJSS/SPARCK as part of the Academy,” says Lizzy. “I’ve felt totally welcomed and supported. It helped to be introduced to so many SPARCKies during the academy so there were lots of friendly faces to turn to once I was released into the wild on client projects.”

Is the academy for you?

“I’d recommend the academy to anyone who is eager to get into user research and passionate about user-centred design,” says Lizzy.

“While having previous research qualifications or experience is beneficial,” says Ayo, “even people with limited experience can make good Academy candidates, as long as they’re passionate about creating truly user-centric products.”

Arriyana agrees: “They should also be passionate about delivering for the people and being a voice for users. A good academy candidate is anyone who wants to take the first steps into a career in user research and is passionate about developing their skills to contribute to exciting design projects.”

Written by Rebecca Laycock - Senior User Research Consultant, Service Designer and Digital Consultant, Leeds