Plexal City

As a software engineer and graphic designer, I was lucky enough to spend a week working at Plexal City, an innovation hub located in London that houses a wide range of tech companies. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative and cutting-edge companies in the industry, including Geve VR, Valkyrie Industries, UCL Robotics, Additive Flow, and Idea East.

Geve VR

Working with Geve VR was an incredible experience that allowed me to put my software engineering and graphic design skills to the test. As a software engineer, my primary task was to develop a prototype VR application for the company. To achieve this, I utilized a range of software and programming languages, including Unity, C#, and Python.

To begin the project, I worked on designing a solid user experience that would create an immersive experience for the user. I carefully considered the user's interactions with the application, as well as the overall design of the application. After the design phase, I started coding the prototype application in Unity, making use of the C# language. During the development process, I faced several technical challenges, such as the need to create realistic physics-based interactions, having to work with 3D models and optimising the application's performance.

In addition to software engineering, I was also able to utilize my graphic design skills to create the visual elements of the application. This included designing the user interface, which was crucial to creating an immersive experience for the user. I also worked on creating 3D models for the application, which required me to use software such as Blender and Maya to create the models and then integrate them into the Unity application.

Overall, working with Geve VR was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to put my skills to the test and develop my technical abilities. Through the project, I learned how to work in a team environment and collaborate effectively with other developers and designers. I also gained experience working with industry-standard tools and software, which have since proven to be valuable assets in my work as a software engineer and graphic designer.

Valkyrie Industries

During my time at Valkyrie Industries, I had the opportunity to work on a new product that required both software engineering and graphic design skills. My responsibilities included designing the user interface, creating 3D models, and developing the software for the product. This required me to use industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch, which helped me improve my graphic design skills.

In terms of software development, I was able to utilize my programming knowledge in Python and JavaScript to develop the product. Specifically, I worked on developing a user-friendly and responsive interface for the product, using JavaScript to create interactive elements that could be manipulated by the user.

Additionally, I learned about the importance of incorporating user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles into software development. I was able to work with the UX team to gather user feedback and incorporate it into the product design, which helped to ensure that the final product was both functional and user-friendly.

Overall, my experience at Valkyrie Industries gave me a better understanding of the software development and design process and provided me with practical skills that I can apply in future projects. I gained experience working with industry-standard design software and programming languages, as well as knowledge of UX and UI design principles.

UCL Robotics

During my time at UCL Robotics, I had the opportunity to work on the development of a robotic arm, which was a particularly challenging yet rewarding experience. My role as a software engineer involved writing code to control the movement of the arm and ensure that it functioned properly. This required me to have a strong understanding of mechanical engineering concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, and control theory. I also utilized programming languages such as C++ and Python to write the necessary code.

In addition to working on the code for the arm, I also helped to design and test various components of the robotic arm. I learned how to use software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD to create 3D models and simulate the performance of different parts. Through this experience, I gained valuable knowledge about mechanical engineering and how it intersects with software engineering in the field of robotics.

Working on the robotic arm project also gave me insight into the importance of collaboration and communication in a team setting. I had to work closely with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and other software engineers to ensure that all aspects of the arm were functioning properly and that the project was progressing as planned.

Overall, my time at UCL Robotics provided me with a wealth of technical knowledge and practical skills that I have been able to apply to my work as a software engineer and graphic designer. It taught me the importance of understanding multiple disciplines and collaborating with others to achieve a common goal.

Additive Flow

Working with Additive Flow was a challenging and rewarding experience. As a software engineer, I was tasked with developing a software tool that would help the company optimize their 3D printing process. This involved utilizing a range of programming languages and technologies, including Python, NumPy, and Pandas for data analysis and algorithm development, as well as JavaScript for the front-end user interface.

One of the main challenges I faced was designing and implementing a robust algorithm for optimizing the 3D printing process. This involved analyzing large amounts of data, including material properties, printer settings, and design parameters, and developing a model that could predict the optimal combination of these factors to achieve the desired outcome. To achieve this, I utilized a range of data analysis techniques, including regression analysis, principal component analysis, and clustering. I also implemented various optimization algorithms, such as genetic algorithms and simulated annealing, to find the optimal solution.

Another challenge I faced was designing an intuitive user interface for the software tool. This involved using JavaScript and the React framework to create a dynamic and responsive front-end interface that would allow users to easily input their data and view the results of the optimization process.

Overall, my time at Additive Flow allowed me to develop my skills in data analysis, algorithm development, and front-end development, as well as gain valuable experience working with a range of programming languages and technologies.

Idea East

During my time at Idea East, I had the privilege of working on an exciting project that involved both software engineering and graphic design skills. I was involved in the development of a new mobile app, which required me to use a range of programming languages, including Swift and Java. I was tasked with implementing key features such as push notifications, in-app purchases, and integrating third-party APIs. My role also involved creating the server-side APIs to support the app's functionality.

In addition to programming, I also used my graphic design skills to create the visual elements of the app. This included designing icons, logos, and other graphics that helped to make the app visually appealing and easy to use. I used industry-standard design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Sketch to create these elements and worked closely with the UI/UX designer to ensure that the app was intuitive and user-friendly.

One of the key challenges I faced during this project was ensuring that the app was performant and responsive. To achieve this, I had to optimize the code and reduce the number of requests the app made to the server. This required a deep understanding of network programming and caching techniques. I also had to make sure that the app was compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, which meant testing the app extensively on multiple devices and versions of iOS and Android.

My time at Idea East taught me a lot about the importance of collaboration and effective communication. I worked closely with the UI/UX designer, project manager, and other members of the team to ensure that the app met the client's requirements and was delivered on time. I also learned about the importance of writing clean, maintainable code that can be easily scaled as the app grows. Overall, my experience at Idea East helped me to develop my programming and design skills and gave me a deeper understanding of the software development lifecycle.

Conclusion

Overall, my experience at Plexal City was a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the most innovative and exciting companies in the industry. It allowed me to develop a versatile array of skills, including software engineering, graphic design, mechanical engineering, and more. This experience has given me a wealth of knowledge and skills that I am excited to bring to my future work in the industry.