Jefferson Patricio Piaún Sanchez

Jefferson graduated in 2019 with an Integrated Masters degree in Mechatronics and Robotics. He is currently a Product Designer working at The Making Rooms. He shares his experience studying at Leeds, as well as his industrial placement year at No Limit Designs.

Research-based learning

“I fell in love with the course because I enjoy the hands-on element of working with electronics and mechanics. For one of my projects, I designed a robotic arm for a drone that could pick up and place objects. In the future, we’ll be able to use drones like these to deliver packages instead of using cars and vans. For another project, I developed a telescope that automatically tracked the moon around the sky, similar to how telescopes used by NASA follow stars and planets automatically.

My lecturers were involved in the latest robotics research that impacts our lives in a big way – it’s an exciting area. I learnt the theory in the classroom and then I got to apply it practically in the lab.”

My lecturers were involved in the latest robotics research that impacts our lives in a big way – it’s an exciting area.

Year in Industry

Jefferson undertook an industrial placement year mainly because “I wanted to put into practice everything that was learnt on my past 3 years at university. I applied to several companies but I have a creative mind and I love fixing things so going to a small company where I can be part of a creative team and build products from scratch was the ideal option for me. The placement year was crucial as it gave me an insight into what the industry is like and what type of employment I might want to pursue in the future.”

For his placement year, Jefferson worked for No Limit Designs, a Cosplay Costume design company. They produce the highest quality specialist costumes and innovative products available on the market. They design, develop, print, mould and make every part of the designs by hand.   

Jefferson said, “My role can be varied, depending on the order that needs to be done. A normal day would be for me designing something that needs to be custom made for a customer for a suit or a face shell.

For example, I worked on the development of a mechanical shell to simulate how Spiderman from the movie Homecoming (2017) opens and closes his eye. I also worked on the assembly line, completing mechanical shells or doing research about mould making as some of the products take too much time to be 3D printed.

I initially started out working on the mechanical motorised face shell, revising and improving the current design. But gradually moved on to working on the development and design of the mechanical and robotic suits, using electrical and mechanical engineering skills, alongside responsibility for 3D design and printing.

I enjoyed being able to make the role my own and having a real input into the business. I took on responsibilities for the designs from conception to creation and everything in between. I was able to suggest ideas and implement them and the sky is the limit. As a company, No Limit Designs are passionate about supporting and developing the talents of their staff and want to offer a career, rather than just a job.”

I enjoyed being able to make the role my own and having a real input into the business.

“There are major opportunities to working with No Limit Designs, as they have links and connections to actual film studios, and to designers who have worked on major films. They have an excellent reputation and collaborate with huge companies designing and producing innovative products, and they plan to enter global market within the next 12 months, which will give me the chance to be recognised on the world stage.”

Advice and tips

“If you have a hobby and you want to have a sense of being a professional, then you should apply to do a placement year. The employability team are experts on this and can give you loads of advice before, within and after your placement as without them, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Over the next few years, robotics will change our society in big ways, whether it’s through drones or through things like automatic tractors to help make farming more efficient. I love thinking outside the box, so if you're enthusiastic and you really want to learn something new with cutting-edge technology, then Leeds is the place to be.

Over the next few years, robotics will change our society in big ways...so if you're enthusiastic and you really want to learn something new with cutting-edge technology, then Leeds is the place to be.

Find out more 

Discover more about our Undergraduate degree courses in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.