In August, we welcomed Gabriela Zemlis for an internship in our newly opened Industrial Design department, where she had the opportunity to work on improving one of our products – the eslog system. Following the completion of her internship, Gabriela joined our team permanently. We asked her to share her impressions of the internship at EmbeddedSystems.do and how it influenced her decision to stay with us.
What do you study / have you studied and why?
I studied design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, where I completed my bachelor’s degree and I am currently continuing my studies at the master’s level. At the same time, I study biomedical engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology, and I have completed my second year.
Was there someone or something that inspired you to make this choice?
Drawing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. At the art school I attended, most students eventually chose to study architecture, and for a while, that seemed like the natural path for me as well. However, in my final year of high school, I discovered design. What truly attracted me was the realization that it goes beyond buildings; it encompasses almost everything around us and offers far greater diversity and creative possibilities.
At the same time, I wanted to study automation and robotics at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics (ETI) to combine design with the technical side of things, because I also have a scientific mind. Since it was not possible to study two majors at the same time, I chose design. When I defended my bachelor’s thesis, I still felt drawn to more technical subjects, so I decided to give it a try and that is how I ended up in biomedical engineering.
In design, I did my diploma project related to the physiology of sleep, and that is when I really got into medical topics, which is why biomedical engineering is such a natural continuation of this design path for me.
What interests you the most in this industry?
I am most interested in the user experience that a product delivers. When I was preparing to write my diploma thesis, it turned out that the topic I chose was really important. I feel that what I do is needed by someone, and at the same time it combines elements of aesthetics and technology.
Even in the case of designing a purely commercial or business product, small changes in design can make a huge difference, especially in terms of usability. Just one modification can suddenly make the product more intuitive, ergonomic, use less material, become more environmentally friendly, or more accessible so that both an older person and a young person can use it.
Why did you choose our company as a place for your internship and how did you find us?
An email from the Academy of Fine Arts informed me about the internship opportunity at your company. The message mentioned that you specialize in electronics design and are in the process of opening a design department. That immediately caught my attention, as it felt like a perfect match for my interests and skills, so I decided to send my portfolio right away.
What was your first day at our company like and what were your first impressions?
At the beginning, I was shown my workstation and received a computer. The desk was in the middle of the room, facing away from everyone, which maybe was not the ideal setup. Ola and Piotr gave me a tour of the company, showed me the kitchen, and introduced me to everyone, which was very nice. Later, I signed the contract. Overall, I had a positive impression of both the company and the people.
What project did you work on during your internship?
During the internship, I worked on the eslog project. The electronics were already ready, so my task was to design the casing to make it more functional and user-friendly, while also keeping it aesthetically pleasing.
At first, I received a device that collected data but was not yet well thought out in terms of functionality. My task was to create a modular solution that would allow, for example, the eslog to be easily attached in different locations. I also worked on positioning the circuit board inside the casing so that it would be clear how to place it correctly, how to replace the battery, and so that the LED would be visible.
At the beginning, we discussed the possibility of expanding the sensor’s applications. I did some research, but within the four-week internship, we had to limit the scope a bit. We therefore focused on small innovations and changes that genuinely improved functionality, because the whole project is quite broad and four weeks is not enough time to create a comprehensive solution.
What new things did you learn during your internship, both in terms of technical and interpersonal skills?
In terms of technical skills, I worked in Fusion. I had modeled in it before, but I wanted to refresh and further develop these skills. I also learned new things related, for example, to 3D printing.
What I liked the most was that I worked with a real product that the company actually offers. It was not an imaginary project without any connection to real business or technological realities, and I consider this the greatest value of this internship.
Did you receive regular feedback and support from your mentor or team?
Yes, I was in constant communication with Aleksandra, and we often discussed my ideas and did brainstorming sessions. It was great to talk about this with an experienced person; the conversation flowed smoothly and we understood each other immediately. Thanks to this, I felt that the project was progressing efficiently.
How would you rate the team atmosphere? Did you feel like part of the company?
Yes, everyone is friendly and young. When I had a problem with something, I just talked about it, and I was never refused help.
Did the internship influence your career plans or what you would like to do in the future? What kind of projects?
I was offered a job, so I am really happy and could not have imagined a better ending to this internship.
Would you recommend an internship at our company to other students? Why?
In terms of company structure and people’s behavior, everything is really good. The only downside is that the internship is unpaid, which may be problematic for some people, but it is nice that it only lasts a month and there is a possibility of extension. This way, you can quickly check if you get along well with the team. On the other hand, a month is a bit short to complete something big, but I think it is a good amount of time to learn new things.
