Sam Builds Great Career - With LEGO
17 December 2010
Sam Johnson, who completed a University of Derby Product Design degree course this summer, is now working at LEGO's Denmark headquarters.
My job does involve a lot of LEGO building, which is great. I have also found the skills that I learned at the University of Derby have been very useful in aiding me with the design process
”Sam Johnson
A childhood love of LEGO building bricks has been turned into a dream career by one determined University of Derby designer.
The top educational toy - which is again set to be a best-seller this Christmas - is as popular today as it was when Sam Johnson played with it as a child. It was while building with his bricks that he told his parents he'd like to work for LEGO one day, even writing to the company for careers advice on how to join them.
Fast forward 15 years and the now 23-year-old Sam - who completed a BA (Hons) Product Design course this summer (2010) - has achieved his ambition and is now working as a Junior Designer at LEGO headquarters, based in Denmark.
Sam, originally from Benfleet in Essex, said: "I have had LEGO for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I used to build vehicles such as cars and trucks as well as buildings to go with them.
"I was quite young when I told my parents that I wanted to be a toy designer for LEGO. I even sent a letter to the company asking how I could become a LEGO designer and got a reply back with a list of the qualifications I would need."
Sam took the advice to heart, studying hard to get the right career CV (curriculum vitae). He even worked at the Midco Toy Planet store, at the Westfield Derby shopping centre, selling LEGO and other toys while studying for his degree.
After a display of his final year work at this summer's 2010 New Designers' exhibition, in London, was praised by a senior LEGO employee who'd seen it, Sam invited company representatives to come and see more. They were impressed by his Product Design portfolio and invited him for an interview.
He added: "The interview took two days and involved small workshops in LEGO design, drawing and building to test your skills and imagination. I was also interviewed by two of the Creative Directors before I was offered the position of Junior Designer, based at LEGO headquarters in Billund, Denmark."
Sam now works in the department designing future models for the LEGO City range. In a year he will become a fully fledged Designer.
He said: "It's perfect for me. I always enjoyed building my own town designs when I was younger and now I'm getting to build the next ranges, for a new generation of children.
"My job does involve a lot of LEGO building, which is great. I have also found the skills that I learned at the University of Derby have been very useful in aiding me with the design process."
Karl Hurn, Programme Leader for the University's Product Design courses, added: "I'm so pleased for Sam, as he's always had a passion to work for LEGO. It is great to see our graduates achieving their goals with the help of the knowledge gained while studying here."
A LEGO spokeswoman said: "At almost every job interview we have, potential candidates tell us about their childhood experience with LEGO bricks or their children's love for our products.
"But I have to say that Sam's case is very special, since he so determinedly followed the advice he got from us about employment when he was a young boy."
For further information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@dery.ac.uk.
