Design Internship Define your journey. Design your path.
2027–2028
Define your journey. Design your path. MIAD’s free, year-long Design Internship program empowers motivated high school students to explore creative careers through a series of meaningful, connected opportunities. Designed to build pathways into the world of design, the program combines accessibility, mentorship, and handson experience. Structured around accessibility, mentorship, and sustained engagement, students build foundational design skills through MIAD faculty-led workshops and tuition-free Summer and Weekend Pre-College courses. They also complete a 50-hour paid internship with a professional partner, gaining hands-on experience and industry insight. Mentorship opportunities provide additional access to the MIAD community, allowing students to experience Wisconsin’s premier art and design college and gain the tools to design a path from high school to college to career.
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Design Internship Professional Partners Past & Present
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Boelter + Lincoln Core Creative Cramer-Krasselt Engberg Anderson Architects Eppstein Uhen Architects Hanson Dodge Harley-Davidson HGA Architects and Engineers Hoffman York JWD Creative Luxury Shrink Maker LLC Milwaukee Brewers Ocupop Plunkett Raysich Architects Rinka Weyco Group
→ View our 2027–2028 Design Internship professional partners at miad.edu/designinternship. M I A D. E D U /D E S I GNI NT E R N S HI P
My favorite experience in the program [was] the Harley-Davidson internship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with people who ... appreciate design. It was really fun creating a collection and having full creative freedom in what I make. ... I got a peek into what an actual day-to-day looks like for designers. [I am] motivated to continue as a rising designer. Maximus Chavez (he/him) Marquette University High School, Class of 2027 Intern at Harley-Davidson Apparel and Licensing
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The internship showed me aspects of design that I didn't realize were as important as they are. My viewpoint on interior design specifically changed -- I learned about how spaces are made through the collaboration of designers, architects, brand representatives, contractors and clients. Ash Lawton (he/they) Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Class of 2027 Intern at Plunkett Raysich Architects
2027-2028 Programming The Design Internship program includes: • • •
A required Kickoff Session on February 20, 2027, at MIAD A required program orientation on April 17, 2027, at MIAD A free MCTS bus pass
May 2027
June 2027
July 2027
• Weeknight & afterschool training classes
• 2-week paid internship
• Free tuition to MIAD's Summer Pre-College Program
M I A D. E D U /D E S I GNI NT E R N S HI P
August 2027 – May 2028 • Free weekend classes • Workshops • End of year celebration in May 2028
How to Apply • •
Complete the free online Design Internship application at miad.edu/designinternship Include your statement expressing what excites you most about design and this internship program on your application.
→ View our 2027–2028 Design Internship professional partners at miad.edu/designinternship.
Important Dates • • •
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027 Kickoff Session (required): February 20, 2027 Program Dates: April 17, 2027 – May 1, 2028
I learned how to collaborate more efficiently to properly get my ideas across to my team members. In prior projects, I've ... had difficulty speaking up; this project helped me learn my creative strengths and how to exert confidence when discussing my ideas. Beyza Sinay (she/her) Sussex Hamilton High School, Class of 2028 Intern at Hanson Dodge
Jumpstart Nurture. Inspire. Grow. These are the cornerstones of MIAD’s Jumpstart Program. Jumpstart provides opportunities for creative high school students to learn from MIAD faculty, gain free access to MIAD Pre-College programs and engage with leaders in the design industry. Originally created in response to the tremendous interest in MIAD’s Design Internship program, Jumpstart is designed to support the development of creative and professional pathways on the same level as the Design Internship program.
The Jumpstart program includes: • • • • • • •
A professional, design project with MIAD faculty in May and June on campus. Free 2027 MIAD Summer Pre-College in July (full tuition & supplies) Tours of professional design firms in Milwaukee Free tuition to weekend Pre-College courses in fall 2027 and spring 2028 Free MIAD student Mentorship opportunities Invitations to Design Internship events during the academic year Networking with creative peers from various high schools
How to Apply Selected applicants from the Design Internship program are invited to participate in MIAD’s Jumpstart Program. •
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
M I A D. E D U /D E S I GNI NT E R N S HI P
MIA D. EDU/D E SI G NI NT E R NS H I P
Questions? Maeve Morris Youth & Community Outreach Coordinator 414-847-3337 maevemorris@miad.edu Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 273 E. Erie St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 miad.edu