Fintech and investment management company Citadel Securities hosts an internship that is well-known as one of the most difficult internships to get into. So difficult, in fact, that less than 0.5% of candidates who apply will get in. Little wonder that there is such demand, for these lucky interns will get eleven paid weeks of practical experience in one of the industry’s top firms.

The challenge Citadel Securities faced was finding a welcome gift for the winning applicants that would represent the Citadel brand in a playful way, while also alluding to the kind of problem-solving skills the intern skills would hone over the next eleven weeks.

Citadel Securities had seen the puzzle box Playwell Bricks created for Google, leading to a commission for a “3-dimensional puzzle that represented their logo when solved,” explains Playwell Bricks designer Petrus Gartler. “The hardest part was to find the sweet spot between three aspects: a) the building skills of the [recipients]; b) the time needed to solve the puzzle; and c) Citadel’s corporate design and core values.

Ultimately, the puzzle itself consisted of individually constructed sections that once built, the interns could solve to create Citadel Securities’ fortress logo.

To do this, “I had to put myself into the shoes of someone who had no idea how to solve the puzzle,” says Petrus. “To ensure that puzzle had the right amount of difficulty we had several people test building the design.”

The solution to the puzzle was included in the building instructions, tucked away behind a warning so the recipients wouldn’t accidentally spoil their fun.

If you’re searching for the perfect gift for your interns, team, or even clients, a custom Playwell Bricks set is always a good choice. Our team of designers will work with your ideas, goals, and branding to create a gift your recipients won’t be able to stop talking about. Contact us today!