Define your journey. Design your path.
Previous interns present at Hanson Dodge
Designing your path through MIAD’s high school Design Internship program is more than just introducing students to careers in design. It is about a series of opportunities that lead to something more. Developed to create pathways for high school students into creative careers, the Design Internship at MIAD is a free, year-long program for motivated high school students interested in design as a career option.
Structured around accessibility and repeat contact, students learn foundational skills in various design workshops from MIAD faculty and are immersed in a two-week, paid internship at one of eight professional partners collaborating with MIAD 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.
Our professional partners for 2023-2024 include:
- Core Creative
- Cramer-Krasselt
- Engberg Anderson Architects
- Hanson Dodge
- HGA
- Maker LLC
- Plunkett Raysich Architects
- Rinka+
Our community partner for the 2023-2024 Design Internship program is the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Brighter Futures Program.
The yearlong Design Internship Program includes:
- An information session on February 11, 2023 at MIAD, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- A program orientation on April 29, 2023 at MIAD, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- An afterschool project at MIAD with MIAD faculty in May 2023
- A two-week paid internship, June 20-30, 2023
- Free tuition to MIAD’s Summer Pre-College program in July 2023
- Fall orientation on August 26, 2023
- Free tuition to Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Pre-College courses
- Mentorship with MIAD students and/or alumni
- An end of program celebration in April 2024
The program began in response to the Greater Equity 2030 challenge, an initiative which recognizes a lack of diversity in Milwaukee’s creative industries. As a shared interest among all partners, special consideration will be given to BIPOC students in support of increasing diversity in Milwaukee’s creative workforce.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Design Internship program are now closed. The application will open for 2024-2025 applicants in fall 2023. For questions, please contact designintern@miad.edu.