Alara Alkan details how she became a researcher at product design studio Birsel + Seck for the Dezeen Jobs careers guide.
While completing furniture design studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, Alkan became involved with numerous research-based initiatives and developed an interest in pairing scientific analysis with design-led problem-solving.
"I have always sought out environments that allowed me to transition between roles and responsibilities to better understand the matter as a whole," she told Dezeen Jobs.
"This came early on in my education where I immersed myself in disciplines such as neuroscience, sociology, anatomy, and behavioural economics."
Alkan spent a brief period of time developing her investigative ability as a design researcher at healthcare company Johnson & Johnson, before moving to New York to work at studio Birsel + Seck. The firm uses a systematic approach to conceptualise innovative product designs for a global portfolio of clients including Amazon and Toyota. She was initially attracted to work at the company's by co-founders Bibi Seck and Ayse Birsel's broad academic approach to design.
"I have always been drawn to multi-pronged approaches to design and Ayse's involvement in academia excited me," she said.

"I have found Birsel + Seck to be an environment where I can wear multiple hats and advance my skill set rapidly to accommodate the needs of the studio."
Alkan believes professionals with c...