Collaboration is central to Rina and Micol’s work at Lego, just as it was during their time at CIID, where they learned to work closely with developers and engineers. Coming from different backgrounds - Micol in architecture and Rina in marketing and art direction - they learned how to contribute their unique strengths while learning from peers with diverse experiences. They feel fortunate to have built a career with meaningful impact, working on projects that truly matter.

Rina and Micol met on the IDP in 2018 and have continued collaborating ever since. Today, they work as Interaction Designers at the LEGO Group in London, where they combine the creativity and physicality of LEGO bricks with emerging technologies. Working within LEGO’s Innovation Department, they help shape the future of play. During the Interaction Design Programme, one of the classes that left a lasting impact was Rapid Prototyping, where they developed practical skills such as brainstorming and bodystorming - methods they now use every day in their professional practice. CIID’s “Build. Test. Repeat.” mantra continues to guide not only their work in the studio, but also their approach to life beyond it.

Arvind describes himself as a design technologist, though his journey began as an electronics engineer. For him, Interaction Design is about crafting creative, beautiful experiences that help people accomplish what they want with ease. One of the most transformative parts of his time in the IDP was being surrounded by peers from diverse backgrounds: artists, lawyers, anthropologists, musicians, and industrial designers - which offered many new perspectives on how to see and shape the world. His final project, ‘Lumen’, is a “magic flashlight” that lets you explore an invisible layer of the environment around them. He later co-founded a company based on the project with classmates Matt Visco and Anoushka Garg. Originally from Kerala, India, Arvind now lives in the Bay Area and works at Google.

Working at the intersection of culture, technology, and wellbeing, Creative Director Jane Wong lives and works in New York City. Originally trained as an architect, Jane joined the IDP in 2013, where her favorite classes included Physical Computing with Arduino co-founder Massimo Banzi, and Immersive Spaces with James Tichenor and Joshua Walton. She is a co-founder of Noon, a cognitive wellness company that blends neuroscience, nature, and cross-cultural perspectives. Jane credits the IDP with giving her the opportunity to connect with people from around the world, step into the unknown, and chart the path that led her to the work she does today.

We’re excited to share the first interview from our new Interaction Design Programme alumni series “IDP Alumni Spotlight”, featuring Alejandra Molina who graduated from IDP 10 years ago and now works as a designer at Google DeepMind. In this insightful conversation, Alejandra reflects on her journey from CIID to one of the leading tech companies in the world. She discusses her approach to design, the role of creativity in shaping technology, and how her experiences at CIID have influenced her work at Google. Alejandra also touches on the evolving nature of design in tech, and the importance of bridging the gap between human-centred design and cutting-edge AI technologies. Her perspective offers a unique look into the intersection of design and science, and how designers can have a meaningful impact in the development of intelligent systems.

As part of our ongoing IDP Alumni Series, we’re excited to feature Herin Haramoto, a 2020 graduate of our Interaction Design Programme (IDP). Now a Senior Product Designer at a startup, Herin brings a deeply empathetic approach to her work — rooted in co-creation and meaningful user engagement. In this interview, she reflects on how her time at CIID shaped her thinking around inclusive design and the role of technology in strengthening our connections with people and the ecosystems we live in. One of her current projects explores the future of autonomous vehicles — specifically, how we might reimagine the in-car experience when people are no longer focused on driving. Herin’s story is a powerful example of how the IDP can spark transformative journeys, equipping designers to create lasting impact.

Andrew has spent over a decade shaping meaningful experiences through design. After beginning his journey at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design in Copenhagen, he moved to London, where he has worked across agencies, production houses, and design consultancies. For the past four and a half years, Andrew has been Frog Design, where he’s now an Associate Director, focusing on projects in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Andrew’s reflections are a reminder that great design is not just about tools and outcomes—it’s about people, relationships, and a shared sense of purpose.

John graduated from CIID’s Interaction Design Programme in 2011, and is the Founder and Director of a service design studio based in Dublin, focused on transforming public services. John shares what it means to bring design into the spaces that shape people’s everyday lives — particularly within government and policy. His studio works to ensure that design has a seat at the table alongside economists, engineers, and policymakers, especially where it matters most: in the systems people rely on in moments of their greatest need. One of John’s most memorable takeaways? “You’ll always have a couch to sleep on in any city.” That sense of belonging is something we’re deeply proud of at CIID.

Now a Design Director at Spotify in Stockholm, Shamik brings a thoughtful and systems-minded lens to design — asking how we can ensure our work contributes to a net positive future for the planet. In this short interview, he reflects on the role of design in navigating today’s rapid technological change and hs ongoing search for peaceful, planet-first solutions. One of his key takeaways: there are no fixed rules in design — only curiosity, observation, and the courage to make meaning. Shamik’s perspective is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when designers not only respond to complexity, but embrace it with creativity and care.

Originally from Belgium, Justine Syen, a 2016 graduate of CIID’s IDP, is now based in London, working as an Interaction Design Lead at IDEO. Her practice spans service design, feature development and digital product design — a reflection of the interdisciplinary approach embedded in the CIID experience. From designing for menopause care to developing sustainable ecosystems for consumer tech - and launching immunisation initiatives for babies, Justine’s work shows how design can be applied to complex, real-world challenges. We’re proud to count Justine among our global alumni community, using interaction design to make a meaningful difference.