Lizzie McKeown left William Howard School in 2015, taking with her a strong foundation in creativity, curiosity and problem-solving that has shaped her career ever since.
During her time at school, Lizzie’s favourite subjects were Art and Design Technology. She loved the opportunity to be creative while also thinking practically. Design Technology allowed her to combine her passion for drawing and making with hands-on work and problem-solving. Lizzie took part in the Young Apprentice Scheme, where students set up and ran their own business. Through this experience, she developed skills in idea generation, planning, teamwork and presenting. It was here that she began to see how creativity could be transformed into something practical and commercially viable. One of her favourite school memories was a Design Technology trip to IKEA in Newcastle. With a long-standing interest in interior design, Lizzie was fascinated by IKEA’s functional, affordable, and sustainable designs.
After leaving William Howard School, Lizzie went on to study Design for Industry at Northumbria University. She recently spent three and a half years at TPXimpact as a Design Researcher and is now moving into a new role as a Senior Design Researcher at Methods. In her work, Lizzie helps large organisations and Government departments better understand their users. She conducts research to explore what people value in a service and where they face challenges. By identifying patterns and insights, she supports teams in designing and improving services, so they are more accessible, user-friendly and inclusive.
Her career path was supported by the subjects she studied at William Howard:
- Design & Technology sparked her love of creating and taught her the foundations of good product design and inclusive thinking.
- Psychology helped her understand how people think and how environments influence behaviour — an essential part of user-centred design.
- English Language strengthened her analytical skills and her ability to evaluate information, build strong arguments and communicate clearly with a range of audiences.
Lizzie loves that her role combines creativity with meaningful impact. She spends her days speaking with people from diverse backgrounds, learning about their experiences, and listening to what truly matters to them. She enjoys immersing herself in different organisations and subject areas, identifying patterns in what users share and turning those insights into real improvements. For Lizzie, it is important that her work makes services clearer, easier and fairer for the people who rely on them. No two days are the same, and that variety — along with the opportunity to solve complex problems that genuinely help people — makes her career both fulfilling and rewarding.
When Lizzie was at school, the role she now does did not even exist. With technology advancing rapidly, new careers are emerging all the time. Her advice to students is not to worry if they do not yet know exactly what they want to do. Instead, focus on developing skills you enjoy — creativity, problem-solving, communication and curiosity. She also encourages students not to underestimate the importance of softer skills. Being hardworking, resilient, and kind truly matters. Skills can be learned, but attitude and effort leave a lasting impression. Most importantly, Lizzie encourages students to try new things, stay open-minded and remember that journeys do not have to be linear. Opportunities often appear when you least expect them.
