Elizabeth Prilutskaya: 'Getting Education at Polytech which is in high demand worldwide is my Goal'

Design is getting more and more promising job year by year. It brings success, and, what is important is very well-paid. The Department of Engineering Graphics and Design at the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport (IMMET) SPbPU has been training students in the field of design for years.

One of the graduates of this Department in 2017 is Elizabeth Prilutskaya. She is sure, that everyone should strive for making the world better through his or her professional skills. Elizabeth told us how her childhood hobbies had turned into profession, what semester-long course at l'Ecole de design Nantes Atlantique (France) had led her and why her graduation project had been focused on people with disabilities.

- Elizabeth, how did you enter Polytech? Who helped you make this decision? Why did you choose Design?

- I’ve loved drawing since I was a child. When I finished my 11th class I started thinking: what's next? One of my teachers was Angrew Genrichovich Zubov. He gives lectures at some universities and also at SPbPU. He advised me to choose the Industrial Design, because this discipline contains a wide range of of courses. So I decided to enter Polytech, and have never regretted the choice I made.

- What disciplines during the educational process did you like most and less of all? How can you estimate the whole organization of educational process on the Engineering Graphics and Design department?

- Frankly speaking I liked all the disciplines because I love studying. Of course, the profile subjects were the most interesting: for example, computer programs. As to an educational process organization, I wish it had been more structured. It would be better if one subject had been connected with another, and the students had done one project, gradually learning all the details. I'm going by the foreign schools' example. We have almost the same, but sometimes it doesn't work effectively.

- Am I right saying you've had the experience of studying abroad? Was this the opportunity that Polytech gave to you, or it was a private initiative?

- Yes, during the autumn term on my 4th course I studied in France at l'Ecole de design Nantes Atlantique. It was one of the best experiences in my life! I adore France: I know French, I am fond of French films and music, and my dream was to go there. I lived in a sunny city Nantes on the Atlantic seaboard. There is no winter, and roses bloom the year round. I met there students from all over the world. It was very interesting to work together, because all of them are so different, but at the same time have so much in common. The professors are high-grade specialists; we had real projects which we brought to life. For example, we created the scenery for the show of some music band. This trip inspired me so much, that on return to St. Petersburg I've done my diploma for 2 months! So studying abroad is not a scary thing, even if you are on the 4th course.

- Did you take part in profile competitions while studying at SPbPU?

- Last year I visited Yekaterinburg and participated in the International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM. There I presented some projects from our department. Unfortunately I didn't have any models, so I couldn't take part in the final competition. In Yekaterinburg there were designers from the American, European and Asian countries. It was very interesting and useful to listen to their lectures. Still earlier I participated in different art competitions, charity exhibitions.

- Elizabeth, many students make extra money while their studying. Did you work on your specialization in parallel with university? And what job would you like to have in 10 years?

- I haven't worked on my specialization yet. Of course, I've made one-time projects, but it was not strongly my sphere, just design. I made unit packages, created a logo and a site. I've been working as a flower arranger for some years, and I love it. I can't say something certain about my future work. Maybe it will be something connected with 3d modeling. Now I plan to continue my studying abroad.

- You've graduated Polytech and are going to have Master's Degree in our university. What do you expect from the two years there?

- I want to have a complete higher education which lists equity in the world. I think that is one of my main goals. Also I'd like to create a real project with a real employer. I don't want to do a Joe job.

- But your diploma project, for example: we can't say that it is a Joe job. It has an important social importance and it's rather sustainable!

- Design is such a sphere which is based upon the needs. I thought there are some definite unsettled problems which can be solved. Let me do this! Everyone can have different cases with their health, and we should understand this. Some people can't do the things quickly because they don't have crafty hands; others can't dress themselves, sit or stand without people's help. But along with this they are the same people! And if we can change the people's attitude towards people with disabilities from the perspective of design, psychology or social communication, we should do this.

Nowadays many people with disabilities work not only in design, but also in science-intensive spheres connected with precision electronics, sensor technologies, and so on. Unfortunately, in our country it hasn't been developed enough yet. My diploma project is kitchen equipment for people with disabilities, in particular when it's dysfunction of the upper extremities. There is a basic multifunctional board and different supplement devices. All of the things are for the person who has only one hand to make his life easier.

- Elizabeth, designers a creative people and they need inspiration. What inspires you?

- I love good films. It's very important for me when the plot, the cast, the movie set, the music naturally complement each other. My favourite director is Jean Pierre Jeunet. Lots of people know him as 'Amelie's director, but it's not the one of his masterpieces. In cinema visual imagery of the movie is more important for me than its meaning.

- The graduate ceremonies at Polytech have finished, and the school-leavers are ready to their exams. What can you advise to them and to the students?

- Do the things you are keen on. Then you'll enjoy both the process and the result. And also use these years at the university to the maximum: take part in various events, competitions, trips. It's very interesting, and it's a valuable experience.

- Elizabeth, thank you very much for the interview! We wish you good luck at your studying and may your projects come true!