How to land an internship at Adidas, according to a Design Engineering student

Aishwarya Balasundar has always looked up to design engineers.

Like others in the engineering field, design engineers are problem solvers. In particular, design engineering bridges the gap between traditional engineering and design to create innovative solutions to modern challenges.

Take Balasundar’s role model, Israeli-American designer and former MIT Media Lab member Neri Oxman, for example.

“She designs with organisms and mushrooms, mycelium, and other biological elements, merging a design spin with a technological perspective,” says Balasundar. “Her approach to thinking and designing is incredibly inspiring.”

Then, there’s music composer Rick Rubin, whose book “The Creative Act” encourages readers to approach life with a design-thinking mindset. 

But how does one develop an interest in design engineering in the first place?

For Balasundar, it started with her passion for science and the arts. “I grew up painting and enjoyed artistic exploration — whether it was sketching, making things for people, or creating jewellery,” she says. 

Balasundar has been passionate about art since she was three years old and believes painting was key in inspiring her interest in design engineering. Source: Aishwarya Balasundar

However, as she grew older, her interests became so diverse that deciding on a field of study wasn’t easy. At one point, she thought about being a doctor, and following that, she considered being a designer. 

This internal conflict was further influenced by societal norms, particularly the common belief among Indian families that professions like medicine or engineering are the most respectable. And with her interest in maths and biology, Balasundar was pushed towards pursuing medicine. 

Still, she knew her true passion lay in design, even if it wasn’t the path her parents had envisioned.

“I didn’t want to abandon such a significant part of my life for something entirely different, like computer engineering, which involves extensive desk work,” she says.

With her intense dislike of desk work and desire to remain active while interacting with people, Balasundar began to seek other options. In particular, she sought a career that mirrored the lifestyle she cherished as a child.

Luckily, one path allowed her to integrate her love for maths, technology, science, and design: design engineering.

Balasundar chose Imperial College London for its unique Design Engineering curriculum, which she felt aligned perfectly with her interests. Source: Aishwarya Balasundar

Pursuing Design Engineering at the world’s second-best university

Once Balasundar set her mind on the programme, next came looking for a suitable university to pursue her studies.

Her search led her to Imperial College London, the world’s second-best university, according to QS World University Rankings 2025.

And while she received offers from all the UK universities she applied to, such as the University of Manchester, King’s College London, and UCL, Balasundar knew Imperial College London had to be her pick – not just because of its high rank, but because of its unique curriculum.  

“Design Engineering is a very distinctive programme, and I haven’t seen many universities offer this type of education within a specific course,” says Balasundar. “It aligned perfectly with my interests, combining both the artistic and design sides. The way Imperial pitched the curriculum was very modern, and that influenced my decision.”

First, though, was securing her spot at the university.

Known for its world-class reputation, Imperial is one of the most competitive universities in the world, and the application process is demanding.

The acceptance rate hovers around 11-14%, with about seven candidates competing for every available undergraduate space. And the odds are even tougher for certain subjects, such as engineering and computing, which are notoriously hard to get into.

Here, applicants need top-notch grades, a genuine passion for their field, and a strong commitment to succeed.

Balasundar certainly ticked all the boxes.

What worked best for Balasundar was staying consistent with her studies and, more importantly, finding the right study style that worked best for her. Plus, she stresses that having something outside of her studies is important to keep her centred. 

“What works for one person might not work for you,” she says. “My style has always been about maintaining a good work-life balance. I used to go out, exercise, play badminton, and cycle with my friends. Then, I’d come back and study for a few hours.”

Having a diversified day, with time for different activities and then intense focus during study sessions, has been a formula for success — and one that helped her get into Imperial.

One of Balasundar’s favourite modules in her programme is Human-Centered Design Engineering, which teaches how to approach projects with a human-centric perspective. Source: Aishwarya Balasundar

Studying design engineering at Imperial College London

“Imperial is so broad — it’s like a little world unto itself,” says Balasundar. “When you enter, there’s so much to learn and absorb.”

Imperial’s Design Engineering programme isn’t traditional; instead, it invites students to think outside the box, challenging the limits of what is feasible and practical.

“We have many modules that encourage you to look 25 years ahead and design products for that future,” she says. “That’s a huge part of designing a successful product. And I think in traditional engineering, you’re not taught how to consider people when designing or creating something.”

For Balasundar, the key to designing a successful product lies not just in its technical specifications but in how thoughtfully it addresses real-world problems.

These lessons came in handy when she undertook two significant projects, each connected to different modules. 

The first project, SitSense, was part of the Industrial Design Engineering module, which emphasised designing physical products. 

Tasked with creating a battery-driven product to address a specific need for an underserved group, Balasundar’s team identified chronic neck and back pain as common issues among desk workers.

With no tailored solutions available, it was a challenge that intrigued the team, especially since many individuals they had spoken to faced these problems daily.

After some extensive research, Balasundar’s team ended up developing a desk-based product featuring a camera to monitor posture. It provided real-time feedback through an app, suggesting corrective exercises, and including a massager to alleviate physical pain.

The second project, the Tic Tac Toe bot, was part of the Mechatronics module, integrating mechanical and electronic engineering.

Here, Balasundar and her friend decided to build an interactive Tic Tac Toe robot. 

“Instead of traditional Xs and Os, the robot tossed tokens onto the board. It could detect token placement, perform calculations in C++, and place tokens strategically using an algorithm designed to always win,” Balasundar says. “We handled all aspects of the project, including electronics, coding, prototyping, and 3D printing.”

At the end of her third year, Balasundar completed a six-month placement, joining the Advanced 3D team at Adidas Germany as a Product Development Intern. Source: Aishwarya Balasundar

The best way to land an internship at Adidas 

Balasundar’s journey as a Design Engineering student isn’t just confined to Imperial’s halls.

As part of her programme, she had to take up a six-month internship, and she found her chance at one of the world’s most iconic sportswear brands, Adidas. 

“The role at Adidas matched the skills I’d developed in design engineering,” she says. “They wanted someone with multiple capabilities: design and engineering, with a creative spin on their thought process which matched what I’ve learned at Imperial.”

Funnily enough, Balasundar hadn’t expected to land the position.

For her interview, she told herself, “Look, you know you’re not going to get in, so just practise with this interview so you can do well in the other ones.” 

This detached attitude allowed her to approach the process with an open mind and no fear of failure or self-expression, especially since the application process was quite an interesting one. 

“They asked for a one-page document to express myself based on their motto, ‘Impossible is Nothing,’” she says. “I submitted a sketch showcasing my drawing skills. This led to three interviews, starting with HR and ending with two final interviews. I believe my alignment with the team and a bit of luck were crucial in securing the role of Product Development Intern.”

From brainstorming and interviews to prototyping in the Makerlab and presenting ideas for feedback, every moment at Adidas was a valuable learning experience. Source: Aishwarya Balasundar

At Adidas, product development means transforming design concepts into functional products. While designers create the initial concepts, Balasundar’s role involves exploring and implementing technologies. 

“I apply a lot of my design engineering skills here,” she says. “Design is also part of the job, but it’s not the sole focus. Unlike a product designer who mainly sketches and designs, our role involves developing the product, prototyping, and other related tasks.”

A highlight of her internship? Creating a final working prototype of a dance shoe that guides dancers by communicating pressure, compression, and tension without using electronics, helping them to maintain proper form and reduce injuries.

Now, with a fulfilling internship behind her, Balasundar only has to tackle earning her Master’s degree at Imperial’s Dyson School of Design Engineering for one final year.

After that, it’s off to solving complex problems with innovative solutions.

“I am passionate about designing for the field of healthcare. I want to get more involved, meet people, learn about their journeys, and maybe then devote myself to solving a problem I resonate with deeply when I find it one day.”