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.

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2026 applications now through February 1.

Students collaborating on design projects.
a student wearing black clothes next to a graphic designer in a gray shirt looking at a laptop in a bright room
student and designer setting up a photoshoot with white screens looking at the photos taken
looking down at a students illustrating on purple paper with pink and green posca markers making a base layer for a composition
three students and a graphic designer working with legos to problem solve
looking down to three students reviewing interior design materials
three students in a sun filled room working together on an ipad
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, 2026 Design Internship applications due
  • February 21, 2026: Kickoff session at MIAD
  • April 18, 2026: Program orientation at MIAD
  • May 2026: After-school project at MIAD with MIAD faculty
  • June 2026: 50-hour paid internship*
  • July 2026: Free tuition to MIAD’s Summer Pre-College program
  • August 2026: Fall orientation
  • Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: Free tuition Pre-College courses
  • April 2027: End-of-program celebration
  • Year-long: Mentorship with MIAD students and/or alumni

*internship dates may vary across partner firms. 

Design Internship

Learn more about our 2025-2026 professional partners:

Design Internship. Define your journey. Design your path.