2026 Fall Co-Ops - UI Design - Demonware (Dublin)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: 2026 Fall Co-Ops - UI Design - Demonware (Dublin)

Company: Activision

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Job Type: INTERN

Category: UI/UX Design Operations

Date Posted: May 21, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design for live operations tools within the gaming industry, specifically at Demonware, a division of Activision.

• The role involves enhancing workflow interfaces to improve efficiency and usability, directly contributing to the evolution of internal tooling suites that power major gaming franchises.

• Successful candidates will collaborate closely with engineers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of designed elements, translating complex requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, collaborative technology environment, with the potential for code to go into production shortly after joining.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title specifies "UI Design," the core responsibilities and requirements clearly indicate a strong emphasis on UX principles, user-centered design, and workflow optimization, positioning this role firmly within the broader UI/UX Operations domain. The focus on internal tools for "live operations" suggests a need for robust, efficient, and user-friendly interfaces that support critical gaming services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineers and product managers, to design and optimize User Interfaces (UI) for live operations tools, with a keen focus on the end-user experience.

• Enhance workflow interfaces to improve efficiency, usability, and overall user satisfaction, contributing to the evaluation and evolution of the company's internal tooling suite.

• Work closely with software engineers to ensure seamless integration, functionality, and technical feasibility of UI/UX designs.

• Participate actively in design reviews, iterating on solutions based on user feedback, operational needs, and technical constraints.

• Maintain and evolve Demonware’s established design system, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and efficiency across all internal tools.

• Conduct usability research, user interviews, and feedback analysis to refine internal tool interfaces and identify areas for improvement.

• Support ongoing design initiatives, contributing fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and a user-centric perspective.

• Contribute to team Quality Assurance (QA) sign-off processes, ensuring that features delivered to the live environment are high-quality, bug-free, and meet design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of design execution, user research, system maintenance (design system), and collaborative problem-solving, typical of operations-focused design roles that bridge the gap between user needs and technical implementation in a live product environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program, preferably pursuing a Degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, HCI) or Computer Science with a User Experience (UX) focus.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in UI/UX design through academic projects, personal projects, or previous internships.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of UI/UX principles, interaction design, and responsive interface design.

• Proficiency with UI design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

• Understanding of user-centered design principles specifically applied to internal workflows and operational tools.

• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to balance aesthetics with critical usability and efficiency requirements.

• Ability to collaborate effectively on translating complex workflows into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly designs.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for effective cross-team collaboration and documentation.

• Proven ability to identify complex problems and devise simple, elegant solutions.

• Capability to clearly articulate technical concepts and design rationales.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts and technologies, including HTML, CSS, and frameworks like React.

• Exposure to data visualization frameworks and understanding of real-time analytics principles.

• Experience working within multi-team environments on internal tools or enterprise software.

• A demonstrable passion for understanding user behavior and optimizing digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "internal workflows," "live operations tools," and "efficiency" suggests that candidates with experience or a strong understanding of how design impacts operational processes will be highly valued. The preference for front-end development knowledge implies a need for designers who can bridge the gap with engineering.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is required for application, showcasing UI/UX design projects.

• Projects should demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centered design, interaction design, and visual design principles.

• Include case studies that detail the design process, from problem identification and user research to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI implementation.

• Showcase an ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive and efficient user interfaces, particularly for tools or systems.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio case studies should clearly document the design process, including initial problem statements, user research methodologies employed, and iterations made.

• Highlight how designs were tested, validated, and refined based on user feedback or operational needs.

• Illustrate the integration of designs within a broader system or workflow, explaining how the UI contributes to overall efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on tools for live operations, portfolios that include examples of internal tools, dashboards, workflow management interfaces, or systems designed for efficiency and data analysis will be particularly impactful. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and demonstrate measurable improvements is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As an internship position, compensation will be competitive and commensurate with industry standards for co-op/intern roles in Dublin, Ireland. While specific figures are not provided, expect a structured hourly or weekly rate.

• Estimated Range: €400 - €600 per week, depending on academic year and prior relevant experience. This is based on typical intern compensation data for technology roles in Dublin.

Benefits:

• City-center office location: Convenient access to amenities and public transport in Dublin.

• Paid annual leave: Accrued paid time off during the internship period.

• Work directly on features for video games: Opportunity to contribute to high-profile, globally recognized gaming franchises.

• Competitive pay: Financial compensation for the duration of the internship.

• Free games: Access to company titles and entertainment.

• Intern Team Events: Opportunities for networking, team-building, and social engagement with fellow interns and the wider Demonware team.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for some flexibility depending on team needs and project deadlines. The internship duration is a mandatory 8-12 months.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Competitive Pay" and "Intern Team Events" are significant benefits for interns, offering both financial support and valuable networking and social opportunities. The 8-12 month duration is longer than typical internships, suggesting a deep dive into projects and team integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on online services and data for the video game industry. Activision Blizzard is a global leader in interactive entertainment.

Company Size: Activision Blizzard is a large, publicly traded company with thousands of employees worldwide. Demonware operates with a "small-company culture" within this larger structure, offering a balance of big-company resources and a more agile, collaborative environment.

Founded: Activision was founded in 1979, and Demonware was established in 2003. This history provides a foundation of experience and stability in the gaming and technology sectors.

Team Structure:

• The UI Design team at Demonware is likely part of a larger engineering or product development department, comprising a mix of UI designers, UX researchers, and potentially product managers.

• The team operates within a hierarchical structure but emphasizes collaboration, with designers working closely with engineers, QA, and potentially other studios or departments within Activision.

Methodology:

• Demonware employs a technology-driven approach, valuing data-driven insights and collaborative problem-solving.

• The design process involves user research, iterative design, and close collaboration with engineering teams to ensure practical implementation and ongoing optimization of tools.

• Emphasis is placed on agility, with interns often seeing their contributions integrated into production systems quickly, reflecting a lean and efficient development methodology.

Company Website: https://careers.activision.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The "small-company culture" within a large corporation like Activision Blizzard suggests an environment where interns can have significant impact and visibility. The focus on technology and data for "live operations" implies a dynamic and performance-oriented workplace.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role designed for students pursuing degrees in Design or Computer Science with a UX focus. It serves as a foundational experience in applying design principles to real-world operational tools within the demanding gaming industry.

Reporting Structure: Interns will report to a designated manager or senior designer within the Demonware UI Design team. They will work collaboratively with engineers and other team members, receiving guidance and mentorship throughout their placement.

Operations Impact: Interns will contribute directly to the enhancement and optimization of live operations tools that are critical for supporting major Activision franchises. Their work will have a tangible impact on the efficiency and usability of systems used by internal teams, potentially affecting the delivery and maintenance of online services for millions of players.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen understanding and practical application of UI/UX principles, interaction design, and design systems within a professional context. Gain experience with industry-standard design tools.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for the video game industry, specifically for live operations and backend services. Gain exposure to cutting-edge engineering practices and technology.

• Professional Networking: Build relationships with experienced designers, engineers, and other professionals within Activision Blizzard, potentially leading to future opportunities.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Create substantial, real-world projects that can significantly bolster a personal portfolio for future job applications.

• Potential for Future Employment: While not guaranteed, strong performance and a good cultural fit can open doors for future internships or entry-level positions within Activision Blizzard.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extended internship duration (8-12 months) offers a significant opportunity for in-depth learning and contribution, providing a more substantial growth experience than a typical short-term internship. The emphasis on "designing for complex systems" and "translating complex engineering requirements" points to significant skill development in problem-solving and technical communication.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Demonware office located in a city-center location in Dublin. This suggests a professional office environment conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Dublin, Ireland, specifically in a city-center setting, implying accessibility via public transport and proximity to urban amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities for direct interaction with team members, engineers, and managers.

• Access to necessary design tools, software, and technology infrastructure will be provided to support the intern's work.

• The environment is likely dynamic and fast-paced, reflecting the demands of the gaming industry and live operations support.

Work Schedule: The internship requires a commitment of 8-12 months, with standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week). While the core hours are fixed, there may be some flexibility offered by teams within project deadlines, allowing for effective management of design tasks and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: A city-center office location often implies a vibrant work atmosphere and good connectivity. The emphasis on on-site work suggests a culture that values in-person collaboration and mentorship, which is beneficial for interns learning and integrating into the team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Resumes, transcripts, and the required portfolio will be screened for suitability.

• Screening Interview: A preliminary interview, likely with a recruiter or junior team member, to assess basic qualifications, communication skills, and availability.

• Technical/Design Interview: This will involve a deeper dive into UI/UX principles, design process, and problem-solving abilities. Candidates may be asked to walk through their portfolio, discuss specific projects, and present case studies.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: An opportunity to meet with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and overall suitability for the team and the company.

• Potential Design Challenge: Candidates may be given a small design challenge or problem to solve, either as a take-home assignment or during an interview, to evaluate their practical skills and approach.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your UI/UX skills and relevant experience (e.g., workflow design, internal tools, complex systems).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, the design process you followed, the challenges you encountered, and the outcome or impact of your design. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design thinking, user research methods, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration stages. Show how you gathered feedback and made design decisions.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Clearly state the tools used (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) and any technical skills (HTML, CSS, React) relevant to the role.

• Focus on Operations Context: If possible, include projects that demonstrate an understanding of workflow optimization, efficiency improvements, or designing for internal operational needs, as this is a key aspect of this role.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Include a link to your portfolio prominently on your resume.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target users (internal operators), and desired outcomes (efficiency, usability).

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your design process: define the problem, research (even if brief), ideate solutions, select a direction, and present your solution with rationale.

• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to user needs, operational goals, and design principles.

• Time Management: Practice working within time constraints if it's a timed challenge. Prioritize key aspects of the design.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thought process, design decisions, and potential next steps for iteration or further development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "live operations tools," "internal workflows," and "efficiency" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate an understanding of sophisticated systems and how to make them user-friendly for internal teams, not just external consumers.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI Design Software: Proficiency in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch is explicitly required. These tools are essential for wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity UI designs.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with built-in prototyping features of the design software or standalone tools for creating interactive user flows.

• Design System Management: Familiarity with concepts of design systems, style guides, and component libraries for ensuring consistency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly required, familiarity with data visualization tools or frameworks is a "nice-to-have," suggesting potential exposure to dashboards or reporting interfaces used for live operations.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI design role, but an understanding of how design integrates into broader operational workflows and systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is strong proficiency in industry-standard UI design and prototyping tools. The "nice-to-haves" related to front-end development (HTML, CSS, React) and data visualization suggest that candidates who understand the technical implementation side or how data is presented will have an advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centric Thinking: A primary value, focusing on understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, whether internal operators or external players.

• Strong Communication Skills: Essential for collaboration across diverse teams and disciplines within a large organization. Open and clear communication is encouraged.

• Good Prioritization & Time Management: Critical in a fast-paced industry where deadlines are common and multiple projects may be active simultaneously.

• Proactive & Collaborative: Team members are expected to take initiative, contribute ideas, and work effectively with others to achieve common goals.

• Attention to Detail: Crucial for ensuring the quality, consistency, and usability of design work, especially in complex systems.

• Fostering a Positive & Respectful Environment: Emphasis on teamwork, mutual respect, and open communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with engineers, product managers, and QA, requiring a collaborative approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

• Iterative Feedback Loop: Designs are subject to regular feedback and iteration, necessitating an open-minded and adaptable collaboration style.

• Knowledge Sharing: The culture supports sharing ideas, best practices, and learnings, particularly valuable in a learning environment like an internship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of individual contribution (proactive, attention to detail) and strong teamwork (collaboration, communication, respect), all within a context of delivering high-quality operational tools for a demanding industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Requirements: A core challenge is to take intricate engineering specifications and operational needs and transform them into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Ensuring that designs are not only visually appealing but also highly functional, efficient, and meet strict operational requirements.

• Working within a Design System: Adhering to and contributing to an existing design system while still allowing for creative problem-solving and innovation.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of the gaming industry and the demands of live operations support, where changes can occur quickly.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering High-Level Design Thinking: Developing advanced skills in problem-solving, user research, and strategic design execution.

• Exposure to Industry-Leading Tools & Methods: Gaining hands-on experience with the software and processes used by a major gaming company.

• Developing a Strong Design Voice: Refining personal design style and professional communication skills through practical application and feedback.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Engineering Practices: Understanding how UI/UX integrates with modern software development lifecycles in a AAA gaming context.

• Designing for Complex Systems: Learning to manage complexity and create order through thoughtful UI design.

• Learning Engineering Culture & Workflow Tools: Gaining insight into the operational aspects of software development and how teams collaborate.

• Translating Complex Engineering Requirements into Usable Interfaces: A specific skill development opportunity highlighted in the role description.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are heavily focused on practical skill development within a specialized operational context (gaming live ops tools), offering a rich learning experience for ambitious design students.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex workflow you've had to design for. What were the key challenges, and how did you simplify it for the user?" Prepare to discuss a project from your portfolio that showcases your ability to break down complexity into intuitive UI elements. Focus on your process, user research, and the impact of your design.

• "How do you ensure consistency and usability when working with an established design system?" Be ready to discuss your understanding of design systems, component libraries, and how you'd maintain brand consistency while still innovating.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for live operations tools within the gaming industry, specifically at Demonware?" Research Demonware's role in Activision's ecosystem (online services, data) and articulate your interest in this specific niche. Connect it to your career aspirations.

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and other team members on projects?" Discuss your communication style, how you integrate feedback, and your understanding of the iterative design-to-development process.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with an Overview: Briefly introduce yourself and your overall design philosophy.

• Select Key Projects: Choose 3-4 projects that best align with the role's requirements (UI/UX, internal tools, workflow design).

• For Each Project:

  • Context: What was the problem or goal?
  • Your Role: What specific contributions did you make?
  • Process: How did you approach the problem (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing)?
  • Challenges: What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?
  • Solution: Showcase the final UI/UX design and explain its key features.
  • Outcome/Impact: What was the result? (e.g., improved efficiency, better usability, positive feedback).

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Explicitly point out how your projects demonstrate proficiency in the required tools (Figma, etc.) and concepts (user-centered design, design systems).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges, and technical understanding.

• Enthusiasm: Show genuine passion for design and the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and preparation tips are geared towards assessing a candidate's practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and their capacity to integrate into a professional, collaborative team environment focused on operational efficiency and user experience within a specific industry context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the Activision careers website.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Carefully select and refine 3-5 of your strongest UI/UX design projects. Prioritize those that demonstrate experience with complex workflows, internal tools, or a strong user-centered approach. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online (e.g., via a personal website or Behance).

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, technical skills (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), and any experience related to user-centered design, interaction design, or workflow optimization. Ensure your expected graduation date and availability for the 8-12 month internship are clearly stated.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on articulating your design process, problem-solving methodology, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss specific design decisions and challenges.

• Research Demonware and Activision: Understand Demonware's role within Activision Blizzard (online services, data infrastructure for games like Call of Duty) and the company's broader mission and values. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.