Mark DrayerSenior Product Engineer & Engineering Team Lead, OXO
Alumni Interview
"I found the Interaction Design and Service Design courses to be the most formative experiences. During those classes, my understanding of what it means to design was vastly expanded beyond physical objects to include most of the world around us. That kind of perspective is invaluable when facing the varied problems of day-to-day life in the industry."
When you started EDI, did you know what industry you wanted to work in or were you still exploring?
I knew that I had an interest in consumer products, but I was open to any potential job involving product design.
Tell us about an EDI course that made an impact on you.
Ironically, although I was determined to work in product design and ultimately do now, I found the Interaction Design and Service Design courses to be the most formative experiences. During those classes, my understanding of what it means to design was vastly expanded beyond physical objects to include most of the world around us. That kind of perspective is invaluable when facing the varied problems of day-to-day life in the industry.
Is there anyone you worked with during EDI that you consider a mentor?
It would be impossible to name one person. Instead, I would credit the sum of the numerous, smaller interactions with like-minded professors and students for pointing me in the right direction.
What advice do you have for an EDI student interested in working in your industry?
Draw inspiration and creative energy from the people around you. Make connections with people practicing in the industry. Offer your time for free in exchange for real, practical problems to work on. At the end of the day, remember that the person with the most valued knowledge and contributions in your field is likely the one that has made the most mistakes and learned from them.
