Product Design Intern
Job Requirements
About the Role & Team:
As a Walt Disney Animation Studios Technology Intern, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a Disney mentor while exploring all aspects of technology in relation to filmmaking. This immersive program offers hands-on experience focused on individual craft and multidisciplinary team collaboration. Learn more about our filmmaking process here.
The Product Design team at Walt Disney Animation Studios closely collaborates with Engineers, Project Managers, Technical Directors, Artists, and other stakeholders to take on complex workflows and break them down into simple, elegant solutions for users within Walt Disney Animation Studios.
What You Will Do:
As a Product Design Intern, you’ll employ strong problem-solving and analytical abilities and will need to effectively articulate design rationale visually, orally, and in writing. Critical to success will be the ability to build relationships with technical and non-technical users to understand their needs. Through independent analysis and judgment, the Product Design Intern will deliver relevant solutions leveraging various user research methodologies, design tools, and prototyping techniques.
Projects Include:
- Work with engineering teams across the full product development lifecycle: from early discovery phases to software implementation
- Craft experiences and interfaces: from copy to motion design to business impact
- Participating in or leading user research sessions
- Create journey maps and process diagrams to visualize complex technical workflows, helping stakeholders identify key areas for improvement.
- Participate in, or lead, design critique sessions with peers and stakeholders to gather feedback and refine concepts.
- Contribute to the internal design system ensuring consistency and efficiency across studio software tools.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
Don’t have all the below qualifications? We still want to hear from you! If you meet some of the requirements and are eager to learn, we encourage you to apply:
- Ability to rapidly ideate and test design concepts and prototypes
- Ability to collaborate with team members across different disciplines, including directly interfacing with users & stakeholders to understand requirements
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
- Strong documentation skills
- Experience with interface and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch
- Portfolio including case studies of relevant work professional or school projects
- A passion for technology, animation, and storytelling.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with business to business (B2B) or enterprise software design
- Experience with designing for accessibility and knowledge of accessibility standards such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Experience with software development frameworks and programming languages such as Javascript (React/Vue.js), C++ and Python
- Interest in animation, film, or games
Education:
Currently enrolled in an accredited college/university with a major in Design, Architecture, Human Computer Interaction or Psychology or a related field.
At the time of application, must be enrolled in an accredited college/university taking at least one class in the semester/quarter (spring/fall) prior to participation in the internship program AND returning to school the semester/quarter following the internship OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:
Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program
- Possess unrestricted work authorization
Additional Information:
This posting represents an expression of interest for various roles within Walt Disney Animation Studios' technical teams. By applying, you will be considered for multiple opportunities that match your skills and interests. At Walt Disney Animation Studios, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where all voices are valued. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, to apply.