Three Years of Growth: What My Time at Volkswagen Taught Me

Looking back at the last three years, one thing is clear—growth happens when theory meets practice. My apprenticeship at Volkswagen has been a continuous learning process, shaped by real projects that carry real impact. The opportunity to work on large-scale, high-value projects early on has been invaluable, especially in a company where design isn’t just about aesthetics but about function, communication, and innovation.

One of the most meaningful projects I contributed to was the communication for the Volkswagen Group Academy—the department responsible for training and developing the next generation of talent at VW. Designing communication materials that reached schools, young professionals, and future employees showed me how design plays a role in shaping perception and engagement. Another highlight was working on the ID. Buzz project, where I had the chance to contribute to the visual design of a reworked model. Being involved in a project of that scale, seeing my work come to life in a real product, was an experience that sharpened my skills and mindset as a designer.

"Real growth happens when your work has to perform in the real world, not just in theory."

What makes this journey at Volkswagen so valuable isn’t just the size of the projects, but the depth of learning they provided. Every task pushed me to think beyond just making something “look good.” Whether it was developing visual communication for a large audience, working within VW’s corporate design framework, or understanding how branding translates across different platforms, I learned that good design is about problem-solving and clarity.

Collaborating with teams, balancing creative vision with corporate requirements, and working under tight deadlines gave me a solid foundation in professional design work. There’s a big difference between designing for yourself and designing for a company with millions of customers. And learning to navigate that difference is something that will stay with me far beyond my time at VW.

As my apprenticeship at Volkswagen comes to an end, I take with me not just a portfolio of projects, but a sharpened perspective on what it means to work as a designer in a global company. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives, learn from experienced professionals, and see how design influences perception on a massive scale.

No matter where my path leads next, these past three years have set the foundation. The challenges, the experiences, and the lessons I’ve learned at VW will continue to shape my approach to creativity and problem-solving. And one thing I know for sure—this is just the beginning.