If you're in the design world, you probably know first hand how hard it is to stand apart from the crowd to land a job at an automaker. The process is rigorous and, frankly, if you don't have the right credentials you're going to have a tough go at it.
It's like trying to break into the hedge fund world and you don't have an ivy league degree. Good luck!
That's why if you're a college student you should consider participating in Volkswagen's latest design challenge. Essentially, the German automaker is looking for not one, but three, talented designers to submit entries and provide them with a six month internship in Wolfsburg. In addition to this, VW will immortalize you because the end product will be used for a video game.
You have until August 15 to submit. Considering this is happening during break, you have NO excuses not to give it a shot.
Volkswagen's press release follows:
VOLKSWAGEN DESIGN CONTEST: YOUNG DESIGN TALENTS WANTED
- Start of the first worldwide Volkswagen Design Contest for students (5 May – 15 August 2014)
- Task: to design an exciting concept car for a video game
The first worldwide Volkswagen Design Contest has been underway since 5 May. Young design talents are called on to submit concepts for an exciting car for a video game including video game scenario. Information on the contest can be found at www.volkswagen-design-contest.com. The closing date for entries is 15 August 2014. A jury of experts from Volkswagen Design will judge the contributions submitted. The three winners can look forward to a six-month internship in the Volkswagen Design department in Wolfsburg.
"Create a cool video game car for Volkswagen!" is the challenge for the first worldwide Volkswagen Design Contest. Students from the fields of interior and exterior design, interface design, graphic design and/or colour and trim design can submit concepts for a car that is perfect for a video game. The typical character of a Volkswagen should at least be somewhat recognisable. Students have almost four months to visualise and submit their ideas on three charts, either in individual work or as a team. The winners of the contest will be selected by Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, and the management team of his design studio, and announced on 30 September 2014. Klaus Bischoff is looking forward to receiving lots of submissions: "We are always interested in the perspective and attitude of young designers to mobility topics and this is why we decided to take a new approach to finding fresh design talents with the Design Contest." The three winners will subsequently be invited to do an internship in the Volkswagen Design studio.
In 2011 Volkswagen successfully initiated the Volkswagen Design Contest with the theme "The first electrical Volkswagen for my country...!". This contest was aimed solely at students from Russia, India and China. As part of the international orientation of the company the contest is now open to students from around the world. The aim of Volkswagen in organising the Design Contest is to find talented students. At the same time the company is interested in establishing long-term cooperation with international universities and design academies.