Pros
The department recruits form a specific region in Asia which means that the design skills are exceptional and the work ethos is even higher still. This means you learn from some very talented designers. As a result your design skills increase dramatically to a very high level of quality, finishing and detail that is often seen at companies like Philips and Lenovo. Additionally as a result of the nature of the department's recruits and management style it constantly pushes you to work harder in order for you to remain competitive with others and to be valued more by others. This is truly a finishing school for designers. Additionally Top level management are exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled with a great deal of experience and insight into design, manufacture and business - which makes them an invaluable mentor.
Cons
The over whelming talent and skill of recruits means that you are constantly in competition for your designs. This often means working in excess of 65 to 70+ hours a week (including weekends) just to maintain the same level of quality. This obviously can take a toll on your health as well as your social life. Overtime within the department is not recognize which is a contradiction to the written company policy for over time. Over time within the department in never directly quoted - instead is implied by unrealistic deadlines by middle managers. Salary although not always a key motivational factor is still low in comparison for the number of hours a regular hard working recruit does. There is often no feedback form middle managers on a project by project basis or even on a personal annual review. Due to the competitive nature of the department, design is often done in complete isolation from other members following a very closed-innovation process approach with no collaboration work or input from other team members until a final review by top management. As a result of these factors turn over is very short 2 years at best.