The course focuses on equipping students with the real-world skills and knowledge necessary for creating and operating their own business, including strategy, finance, and marketing. During their final module, students are tasked with creating a business opportunity, writing a business case, and pitching their ideas. This interactive, practical approach is a hallmark of the University’s focus on student employability and preparedness: In fact, the school pioneered the inclusion of professional work placements with every degree, and an incredible 97% of graduates are employed or engaged in further study within 15 months following graduation.
During last week’s session, the students had an incredible range of business ideas and strategies - from parking solutions to retail experiences - but one thing that each concept had in common was their execution as a mobile app.
With xDesign’s experience of discovering and building digital solutions across a range of sectors and industries for many of the UK’s most recognisable and fastest growing brands, the opportunity to engage the students was an amazing chance for Matt and Rob to offer invaluable insight and information to the students as they crystallised their ideas for innovative app-based solutions.
From a discovery-style discussion of what’s required to build the foundations for a successful product, to an exchange of ideas about how best to bring a concept to life with wireframes, and ultimately on to an overview of how to estimate the key features and time required to build these products, the students were taken on a comprehensive development journey.
The group also explored the finer details of digital development alongside Matt and Rob: they learned about xDesign’s philosophy that delivery is best managed through a flexible, iterative process, in order to encourage continuous improvement and allow for real-time feedback to improve the product as it’s being built. Throughout the discussion, Matt and Rob were able to provide real-world examples and information about the entire process that the students can use as they move forward with their individual projects.
Since arriving in the region just six months ago, xDesign has onboarded nearly 25 new team members at our Leeds office while continuing to play an active role in the area by sponsoring and attending local events such as SwiftLeeds and FinTech North. As a team, we’re looking forward to launching our graduate programme this summer as we grow and stay committed to further supporting the region’s top talent.
We’re working towards our goal of creating 100 new jobs in Leeds and the North of England by 2023. To view our current opportunities or to learn more about working at xDesign, click here.
