DesignInternsReport.org
UW Design Students' Internships
You have questions and we have answers.
We asked 67 design students about their internship, so you don't have to.
1
2
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
Sponsored by D&AD
Where did you intern at? Would you recommend it? 5%
Startup
Number of employees ranging from 1–10. Inocuject, Rippl Rewards, Triplog
90% of UW design students recommend their internship The majority of students liked their internship, noting the environment and people there were nice. They expressed that the experience is worth it and you can come out of it with valuable skills.
25%
Small-size Company Number of employees ranging from 11–100. Anisopteraspa, Aquor Water Systems, BUiLT Design, Campus Tees, Chirp, Culminate Strategy Group, Dahlia Press, Fantasy, Industrial Alchemy, OkayBro, Parker Studio, Ricardo Beverly Hills, RORA Venture Design, Total Mount, Vishwa Robotics
63% were interested in working at the same company Most UW design students felt their internship was a good stepping stone to get real-life experience, but some didn’t find their company to be a right fit. Students noted a difference in style or felt restricted with their creativity. Others realized they weren’t interested in the design work the company focused on.
24%
Mid-size Company Number of employees ranging from 101–1,500.
Blend, Fujifilm Sonosite, FutureBrand, Game Show Network, Hulu, Knoll, Mindgrub, Outdoor Research, RPI Print, Seattle Space Needle, Semantic AI and Powerlight, Slalom, Sound Transit, Sureify, Teague
46%
Large-size Company Companies that have more than 1,500 employees. Adobe, Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Bank of America, Cruise, Deloitte Digital, Foster School of Business, General Electric Appliances, Intuit, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lucid Motors, Microsoft, Nike, Pacific NW National Laboratory, REI, Salesforce, Studio: ARCA (Pierce Labs), The New York Times, T Mobile USA, UW Press, UW First Year Programs, Warby Parker, West Monroe, Zendesk
“Yes — great team of peers and mentors, many opportunities to learn.” Former Intern @ Hulu
VCD
IxD
ID
“Yes, it was a great opportunity to hone my skills and get insight into life as a working designer.” Former Intern @ OkayBro
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
How long was your search? How many applications? Intern’s Employer Startup Students who found an internship at a startup applied to a significantly higher number of internships and took the longest out of all students to find an internship with an average of 5.6 months. They also averaged 75 applications per student.
Small-size Company Students who found an internship at a small company applied to significantly fewer internships than students who worked at other companies. They took an average of 3.2 months applying to internships and averaged 35 applications per student.
Mid-size Company Students who interned at a mid-size company spent 3.7 months, on average, looking for an internship and had a high number of applications submitted. They averaged 73 applications per student.
Large-size Company Students who found an internship at a large-size company had a lower number of applications submitted before choosing their internship company. They averaged 40 applications per student and spent the least amount of time searching for an internship, averaging 3 months.
Search Length N/A 1–3 months 4 months (average) 5+ months
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
Total app.
Rippl Rewards (IxD)
40
Inocuject (ID)
75
*RORA Venture Design (VCD)
5–75
Triplog (IxD)
150
*ARCA Research (IxD+ID)
20–120
BUiLT Design (ID)
1
Campus Tees (VCD)
1
Ricardo Beverly Hills (ID)
1
Dahlia Press (VCD)
5
*Industrial Alchemy (ID)
3–6
Aquor Water Systems (ID)
20
Okaybro (VCD)
21
Parker Studio (VCD)
30
Vishwa Robotics (ID)
40
Fantasy (IxD)
70
Culminate Strategy Group (VCD)
75
Anisopteraspa (IxD)
83
Chirp (ID)
100
Total Mount (ID)
N/A
Outdoor Research (ID)
1
Semantic AI and Powerlight (ID)
1
Sureify (IxD)
4
Seattle Space Needle (IxD)
15
FutureBrand (VCD)
24
Teague (ID)
25
Mindgrub (IxD)
30
Knoll (ID)
60
*Hulu — Walt Disney (VCD + IxD)
50
Sony Pictures Entertainment (VCD)
130
Sound Transit (VCD)
135
RPI Print (IxD)
400
Blend (VCD)
N/A
Fujifilm Sonosite (VCD)
N/A
Salesforce (IxD)
1
Foster School of Business (VCD)
5
REI (ID)
5
UW First Year Programs (VCD)
5
Slalom (IxD)
10
*Intuit (VCD)
15
Alaska Airlines (VCD)
18
West Monroe (VCD)
18
Bank of America (VCD)
20
*Microsoft (IxD)
2–25
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (IxD)
50
Pacific NW National Laboratory (IxD)
60
Adobe (IxD)
63
*Nike (VCD)
70
T Mobile USA (IxD)
75
General Electric Appliances (ID)
100
Cruise (IxD)
100
Lucid Motors (IxD)
103
*Amazon (IxD)
N/A
Warby Parker (VCD)
N/A
Zendesk (VCD)
N/A
The New York Times (VCD)
N/A
Deloitte Digital (VCD)
N/A
UW Press (VCD)
N/A
*more than one student interned here
3
4
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
How would you sum up your interns The radar charts are on a scale of 0–10 based on 4 qualities — Hourly Compensation, Company Culture, Increased likelihood of getting another job, and Creative Freedom. The range for Hourly Compensation is unique in that it is from unpaid (0) to $51 (10) as the maximum. The closer to the ends of each axis the higher the respondent felt that their internship provided them with that quality.
10 Higher
10
Lower
10
0
The New York Times
OkayBro
The New York Times, a prominent American newspaper, leads in journalism covering national, international news, politics, culture, and more. It offers digital subscriptions for accessing articles, videos, and interactive content alongside its renowned print publication.
OkayBro is a local Seattle Design studio focusing on brand design, strategy, positioning, advertising campaigns, branding & identity, and packaging for businesses. Business problems come in all shapes and sizes. Fortunately, they have lots of ideas.
VCD
VCD
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
10
T Mobile USA T-Mobile USA provides mobile plans, devices, and accessories with nationwide coverage and 5G advancements. They offer customer support, initiatives like T-Mobile Tuesdays, and engage in social responsibility, aiming for more reliable wireless services.
IxD
As stated by numerous students, despite how the experience went, the internship was valuable in helping them understand what they liked and didn’t like for their future careers. When asked if their internship would help them get a future job in design, almost all said that it has boosted their confidence in securing one.
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Microsoft Microsoft, a tech giant, excels in software like Windows and Office. They also branch into cloud computing, hardware, gaming, and professional networking, significantly influencing industries.
IxD
High pay ≠ Good experience
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Any experience is good experience
Many students wanted to find a job where they would be surrounded by people who valued and cared about them. This was the greatest factor in determining if the student wanted to come back to the company and work in the same type of role. For many students, the community was the highlight of their internship and compensation didn't necessarily make their experience any better.
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
General Electric
Ricardo Beverly Hills
Outdoor Research
General Electric spans aviation, healthcare, renewable energy, and manufacturing, offering products like aircraft engines, medical imaging, power systems, and renewable energy solutions.
Ricardo Beverly Hills crafts luggage and travel accessories, specializing in suitcases, carry-ons, totes, and other travel items, renowned for quality, durability, and innovative designs, meeting diverse traveler preferences.
Outdoor Research crafts high-quality outdoor gear and apparel for hiking, climbing, skiing, and more. Known for durability and innovation, their products withstand rugged conditions, trusted by outdoor enthusiasts globally.
ID
ID
ID
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
UW Design Students' Internship
ship experience as a whole? Take advantage of this opportunity
Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is an American carrier specializing in domestic and international flights. They serve destinations in North America, alongside cargo services and partnerships for enhanced travel.
VCD
Dahlia Press is a Seattle based letterpress greeting card design studio, specializing in hand illustrated art. Their work includes everything from stationary, to subscription boxes to greeting cards.
VCD
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Almost all students stated that they wish they took full advantage of the opportunities at their company: meet-and-greet, happy hours, shadowing others, and asking more questions. While students often feel intimidated entering a new environment, they realize that they only have a limited amount of time there. Therefore, they suggest being proactive during the internship and making the most of your time there.
Dahlia Press
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
You are more than just a designer UW design students can agree they are more than just designers in the studio. Respondents want to help students realize that an internship is a time to learn and that you don't necessarily have to work constantly like you do at school — unless your workplace has that culture. Take some time and indulge in activities that make you happy and sometimes it is nice to take your mind off design.
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Slalom
RPI Print
Fantasy
Slalom consults on technology, strategy, and business transformation, leveraging expertise in technology implementation, data analytics, and customer experience to drive growth and efficiency for its clients.
RPI makes high volume custom print products easily accessible on a global scale. Through the power of personalized printing services, RPI helps businesses across a variety of markets to maximize their potential.
Innovating at the intersection of AI, product strategy, and human-centered design, Fantasy is a Design Studio that realizes the unprecedented with the leaders of tomorrow.
IxD
IxD
IxD
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Creative Freedom
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Mentorship is vital When asked what an internship is, students determined an internship is a job with mentorship from a seasoned employee who can provide support and feedback when interns need it. When an intern doesn't have a seasoned employee to provide mentorship, they feel their experience was simply design employment instead of an internship.
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job
Teague
Stay curious
Teague is a renowned design consultancy excelling in aerospace, transportation, and product design. Their innovative work in aircraft interiors and transportation systems, collaborating with major companies, emphasizes user-centric designs for airlines, and technology sectors.
As a young designer, it is not expected that you know everything. When you are in your internship, it is important to focus on asking questions. The more you ask insightful questions the better prepared you are to navigate ambiguity as an intern. Don’t be that person who is clueless and afraid to ask questions, we are all growing together.
ID
Learn how to present In many, if not all of the responses from interns, presentations and pitching ideas was the number one takeaway and skill that they practiced during their internship. This is important because many of your co-workers might not have a background in design like you. Therefore, it is imperative to know how to present concepts effectively to persuade others.
Hourly Compensation
Hourly Compensation
Creative Freedom
View more stories Company Culture
Increased likelihood of getting another job DesignInternsReport.org
5
6
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
Sponsored by D&AD
What key lessons or insights did you gain from your internship? Real experience
89%
Past design interns felt like true designers when given project autonomy, free from constant guidance. They thrived in a professional setting where experienced colleagues, while intimidating, recognized and valued their impactful designs.
UX/UI & Research
67%
IxD and VCD students leaned into UX/UI design. Both collaborated on product design, covering user testing, interface design, prototyping, and research.
Designer mentality
65%
UW design students felt at home in their work environment, attributing their designer mindset to the design program's vigor. They also credited the program for preparing them successfully for their internships.
Self assessing
59%
UW design students wanted to improve their storytelling abilities, presentation skills, and collaboration. These were vital for evaluating their readiness for future projects in the workforce.
Design exploration
56%
ID students extensively explored ideas in their internships via sketching, brainstorming, prototyping, and pitching to clients and internal team members.
Branding VCD and IxD students tackled branding tasks, including company and product rebranding, alongside singular projects like posters, symbols, packaging, flyers, and campaign materials.
Presenting Design interns presenting design ideas involves extensive exploration, especially when pitching to non-designers and stakeholders. The design program's focus on developing and rationalizing reasoning behind design choices proved valuable in their jobs.
3D Software ID interns mainly used CAD or Rhino for 3D rendering, but they also used Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic design tasks.
“I learned how to communicate effectively to produce the best possible results.” Former Intern @ Rippl Rewards
53% 50% 44% “How to work independently with much fewer guidelines that you have at school.” Former Intern @ Aquor Water Systems
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
Any tips you would offer to current UW design students? Ask more questions While daunting at first, students regretted not asking more questions on the job. As a young designer and professional, it is understood that you are going to make mistakes. Embrace your opportunity to learn from seasoned designers.
63%
Network
50%
Although interns work for a company and are trying to reach a goal, they emphasized that this time is meant for you. Be sure to reach out and expand your network while you are there and remember that this is a great opportunity to launch your career.
Adapt to the setting
49%
Reflecting on their experiences, students expressed it was hard to navigate the professional space because of communication and developing new skills on the job. They wished they had dealt with and learned from these situations better.
Be accountable Even though students are supported by their mentors and co-workers, they needed to quickly learn how to be accountable and independent. They had to adapt to their environment, budget time, multi-task, prioritize, and implement ideas to projects.
Advocate for yourself Interns regretted not speaking up for their designs, showing their progress to their team, and having one-on-one check-ins with others. In retrospect, they believed it could have been beneficial to take a moment to explain and justify their decisions.
“Internships are great for getting to know different companies, team dynamics, and learning new skills that were not taught in school. Apply, apply, and keep applying.” Former Intern @ JPMorgan Chase & Co.
“Your first internship is rarely the best experience but it's great for experiencing the real world.” Former Intern @ Alaska Airlines
43%
40%
“Avoid comparing yourself to others! Scrolling through LinkedIn can trigger imposter syndrome. Remember, everyone has their unique path—it's okay if yours differs from others' expectations.” Former Intern @ Outdoor Research
“Be confident, don’t be afraid to fail. It’s okay to mess up and be curious.” Former Intern @ Salesforce
7
8
UW Design Students' Internship
December 11, 2023
Sponsored by D&AD
Reflecting on everything, what goals do you have for yourself? “I want to touch even more areas of design that I haven't gotten to yet, like 3D and publication. Since I enjoy variety, I want to be as well-rounded as possible, while still being able to create quality work in whatever field I go into.” Former Intern @ Parker Studio
Take a look at some UW clubs! There were several instances where past interns expressed that they wished they were better prepared at collaborating, communicating, and pitching ideas to non-designers. Seeing our peers' insights, we believed current design students could make good use of UW resources and join clubs related to design.
UW Career & Internship Center Open: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm Location: Mary Gates Hall Call: (206) 543-0535 Email: askcic@uw.edu
“Learn as much as possible regarding as many things as possible. Knowing a lot about your design field vs. tangential things (ie. manufacturing, engineering, asking questions outside of design, how can designers impact other processes).” Former Intern @ Inocuject
VCD
IxD
ID
Design For America
UX @ UW
UW Husky Robotics
Membership opens annually
Officer positions open annually, weekly meetings
Membership opens quarterly
Design for America at the University of Washington is a student-led initiative dedicated to using design thinking and collaborative problem-solving to address local and social challenges. Through innovative projects and interdisciplinary teamwork, members of UW Design for America work towards creating positive, impactful solutions that benefit both the campus community and the broader society.
UX @ UW is a dynamic program at the University of Washington focused on advancing User Experience design through collaborative research, education, and community engagement. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, it equips students and professionals with the skills needed to create impactful and user-centric digital experiences.
UW Husky Robotics is a dynamic student organization at the University of Washington that brings together a diverse group of students passionate about robotics. Through hands-on projects, collaborative design, and a commitment to innovation, the team works on creating cutting-edge robotic systems, providing members with valuable experiences in engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Printmaking Association
Alpha Theta Delta
UW Formula Motorsports
Email for membership information
Membership opens fall and spring quarter
Membership opens annually
The Printmaking Association at the University of Washington is a student organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant community of printmakers. Through workshops, collaborative projects, and exhibitions, the association provides a platform for students to explore and celebrate the art of printmaking, encouraging skill development and creative expression within the campus community.
Alpha Theta Delta is the world’s first professional design fraternity, originally founded on May 6th, 2018 at the University of Washington, Seattle. Focused on utilizing creativity and practices to solve contemporary design challenges, the fraternity pushes the limits of what is technologically and conceptually possible, honing the global forefront in design.
UW Formula Motorsports, a student organization at the University of Washington, focuses on designing and racing formula-style cars. With a hands-on approach, the team participates in global competitions, showcasing their engineering skills. Their endeavors include constructing high-performance vehicles and competing in events that assess both design and racing proficiency.
Attend career fairs
Build relationships
Tell your story
The UW Career & Internship Center sponsors seven job and internship fairs per year. Current design students should take advantage of these events to connect with recruiters actively looking for interns and offering part-time work for a range of roles. Visit the UW Career & Internship Center for more resources to prepare and stand out in these events.
Creating connections is crucial to understanding not only yourself but also your career goals. Take the time to talk with alumni, employees, faculty, friends of friends, and more. Through these connections, you could discover new careers, get advice to make yourself competitive, and learn about upcoming internships and job openings.
Having a compelling, concise application is an essential part of marketing yourself to potential employers. The UW Career & Internship Center can help assist you on your journey by connecting you to their coaches via online resume review, drop-in coaching, or mock interviews. Visit their website to make an appointment or learn more.