Design Internship

Define your journey.
Design your path.

Developed to create pathways for high school students into creative careers, MIAD’s Design Internship is a free, year-long program for motivated high school students interested in design as a career option.

Application Deadline is February 1!  

What is Design Internship?

Structured around accessibility and repeat contact, students learn foundational skills in various design workshops from MIAD faculty and are immersed in a 50-hour, paid internship at one of MIAD’s professional partners to explore hands-on projects and gain industry experience.

With tuition-free access to MIAD’s Summer and Weekend Pre-College courses, interns may select from a variety of courses that range from introductory to advanced, investigative explorations. Fall and Spring mentorship opportunities provide additional access to be a part of the MIAD community and experience Wisconsin’s premiere art and design school, and gain the tools necessary to begin to design a path from high school to college to career.

Important Dates

MIAD’s Design Internship is a year-long program.

  • February 1, 2025 Design Internship applications due
  • February 15, 2025: Kickoff session at MIAD
  • April 26, 2025: Program orientation at MIAD
  • May 2025: After-school project at MIAD with MIAD faculty
  • June 2025: 50-hour paid internship*
  • July 2025: Free tuition to MIAD’s Summer Pre-College program
  • August 2025: Fall orientation
  • Fall 2025 and Spring 2026: Free tuition Pre-College courses
  • April 2026: End-of-program celebration
  • Year-long: Mentorship with MIAD students and/or alumni

*internship dates may vary across partner firms.