[2026 Internship] Application UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: [2026 Internship] Application UI Designer

Company: General Motors

Location: Incheon, South Korea

Job Type: Internship

Category: UX/UI Design, Automotive Technology

Date Posted: October 29, 2025

Experience Level: Entry Level (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the design and development of user interfaces for General Motors' cutting-edge in-vehicle infotainment systems.

• You will be immersed in a professional automotive design environment, working on tangible product features that impact the driver and passenger experience.

• The role emphasizes practical application of UI design principles, user-centered design, and cross-functional collaboration within an automotive technology context.

• Successful interns will gain valuable experience in automotive HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design, prototyping, and validation within real-world vehicle environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is an internship role focused on UI Design within the automotive sector, specifically for in-vehicle infotainment systems. The role requires a blend of design skills, technical understanding of embedded systems, and strong collaboration abilities. The "2026 Internship" designation clearly indicates this is for individuals graduating in or before February 2026.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing application interfaces for in-vehicle infotainment systems, adhering to automotive HMI standards.

• Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Collaborate closely with UX researchers to understand user needs and translate research findings into actionable design solutions.

• Work in tandem with software engineers to ensure the feasibility and efficient implementation of UI designs, providing clear design specifications.

• Validate UI deliverables by testing them in actual vehicle environments, identifying usability issues, and providing constructive feedback for iterative improvements.

• Maintain consistency with General Motors' brand guidelines and established design language across all infotainment applications.

• Participate in design reviews and contribute to discussions on design strategy, user experience enhancements, and product innovation.

• Stay updated on the latest trends in UI/UX design, automotive technology, and human-computer interaction to bring fresh perspectives to the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with a strong emphasis on the automotive context, including validation in physical vehicles and adherence to HMI standards. Collaboration with engineering and UX research is a key component.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science with a design focus, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• While this is an internship, foundational experience in UI design principles and practical application through academic projects or previous internships is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Design Proficiency: Strong foundational knowledge of UI design principles, visual design, and user-centered design methodologies.

• Design Tools: Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and researchers.

• Language Proficiency: TOEIC score of 700 or higher (or equivalent like OPIC IM2+ or TOEIC Speaking Level 6+). Graduates from overseas universities are exempt from TOEIC score submission.

• Academic Standing: Minimum cumulative GPA of B (3.0 on a 4.5 scale) or higher.

• Availability: Must be available for a full-time internship commitment.

Preferred Skills:

• Automotive HMI: Familiarity with automotive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) standards, guidelines, and best practices.

• Embedded Systems Design: Experience or understanding of designing for embedded systems or resource-constrained environments.

• Android Infotainment: Prior experience designing for Android-based infotainment systems or similar platforms.

• Usability Testing: Understanding of user-centered design principles and experience with usability testing methodologies.

• Prototyping & Motion Design: Knowledge of motion design principles and proficiency with prototyping tools to create interactive and dynamic user experiences.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working in an Agile development environment.

• Visual Design & Brand Consistency: Ability to interpret and apply brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all product interfaces.

• Feedback Interpretation: Aptitude for interpreting and acting upon feedback from real-world testing and user evaluations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly distinguish between foundational design skills and preferred, more specialized automotive/embedded system experience. Language proficiency and GPA are critical eligibility criteria for this role in South Korea.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UI Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed UI design projects that demonstrate your design process from concept to final UI. These should highlight problem definition, user research (if applicable), ideation, wireframing, visual design, and prototyping.

• Tool Proficiency: Include examples of work created using Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar industry-standard tools.

• User-Centered Approach: Projects should clearly illustrate how user needs and usability principles guided your design decisions.

• Visual Design Execution: Demonstrate a strong sense of visual design, including layout, typography, color theory, and iconography, relevant to application interfaces.

• Interaction Design: Showcase interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and interaction patterns.

Process Documentation:

• Within your case studies, clearly document your UI design process, including:

  • Problem Statement & Goals: Define the challenge you aimed to solve and the objectives of the design.
  • User Research & Analysis: Outline any user research conducted and how insights informed the design.
  • Information Architecture & Wireframing: Present low-fidelity wireframes and explain the structural design.
  • Visual Design & UI Elements: Detail the visual design language, including style guides, component creation, and rationale.
  • Prototyping & Validation: Explain how prototypes were used for testing and iteration, and any feedback received.

• Automotive Context (Preferred): If possible, include projects related to automotive interfaces, embedded systems, or complex application design, demonstrating an understanding of specific constraints and user contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong UI design portfolio is critical for this role. The emphasis is on demonstrating the design process, tool proficiency, user-centricity, and visual design execution, with a preference for automotive or embedded system-related projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is an internship position, a stipend will be provided in accordance with company policy, based on actual internship days. Specific figures are not disclosed in the posting but are standard for corporate internships in South Korea.

• Estimated Stipend Range: Based on industry benchmarks for similar internships in South Korea, interns can expect a monthly stipend ranging from approximately ₩1,000,000 to ₩2,000,000 KRW, depending on the company's internal policy and the intern's qualifications.

Benefits:

• Stipend: A competitive monthly stipend to support living expenses during the internship.

• Work Experience: Invaluable hands-on experience in the automotive industry with a globally recognized company.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to learn from experienced UI designers, engineers, and product managers.

• Networking: Exposure to a professional corporate environment and opportunities to build connections within GM.

• Potential Conversion: This is a conversion-track internship, meaning successful performance may lead to an offer for full-time employment upon completion of the internship.

• Onboarding & Training: Structured onboarding process with access to relevant training and GM resources.

Working Hours:

• Full-time internship, typically 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday.

• Specific daily working hours will be confirmed upon onboarding but are generally aligned with standard business hours (e.g., 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM KST) with a lunch break.

📝 Enhancement Note: An estimated stipend range is provided based on general market rates for internships in South Korea, as specific compensation is not detailed. The primary "benefit" is the experience and potential for full-time conversion.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is a global leader in automotive design, manufacturing, and technology, focusing on innovation towards a future of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. General Motors is a Fortune 500 company with a vast global presence, employing tens of thousands of individuals worldwide. This scale offers extensive resources, diverse career paths, and exposure to complex, large-scale projects.

Founded: 1908. With over a century of automotive innovation, GM has a rich history and deep expertise in the industry, driving forward technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: Interns will likely report to a Lead UI Designer or a UX/UI Manager within the infotainment or digital design division.

• Collaboration: The UI Design team operates within a cross-functional product development structure, collaborating closely with UX Researchers, Software Engineers, Product Managers, and potentially HMI engineers.

• Environment: Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment where collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making are valued. The culture emphasizes a "one General Motors team" approach, encouraging inclusivity and shared purpose.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The product development process likely follows Agile methodologies, involving iterative cycles of design, development, testing, and feedback.

• User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis is placed on understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive and effective designs.

• Data-Informed Design: Design decisions are informed by user research, usability testing, and performance metrics from real-world applications.

Company Website: https://www.gm.com/ (Global) / https://www.gm.com/careers/korea (Korea-specific careers, if available)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes GM's scale, history, and forward-looking vision in automotive technology. The team structure highlights a collaborative, cross-functional environment typical of large tech and automotive companies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position, specifically designed for students or recent graduates to gain foundational experience in UI Design within the automotive sector. It represents the initial step in a potential career path in UX/UI design at General Motors.

Reporting Structure: Interns will report to a designated mentor or manager within the design team. This provides direct guidance and supervision, facilitating learning and development. The structure allows for close interaction with experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: While interns contribute to specific projects, their primary impact is through learning and applying design principles to enhance the user experience of in-vehicle infotainment systems. Successful contributions can directly influence the usability and appeal of GM vehicles.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI design, prototyping, and potentially specific areas like motion design or automotive HMI.

• Industry Exposure: Gain firsthand experience in the automotive industry and understand the unique challenges and opportunities in designing for vehicles.

• Full-Time Conversion: The primary growth opportunity is the potential to convert to a full-time role upon successful completion of the internship, offering a clear career path within GM's design organization.

• Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship by experienced designers, providing guidance on career development and skill enhancement.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Understand the broader product development lifecycle by collaborating with engineering, product management, and research teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis focuses on the internship's role as a stepping stone, emphasizing skill development, industry exposure, and the significant opportunity for full-time conversion.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring the intern to work from General Motors' facilities in Bupyeong/Cheongra, Incheon. The work environment will be a professional office setting within a large automotive company.

Office Location(s): Bupyeong ASSY, STPG, TOOL, GPS, TECH - HQs, Incheon, South Korea. This location is a significant hub for GM's operations in Korea.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect access to modern office spaces designed for collaboration, including meeting rooms and team areas.

• Tools & Technology: The workspace will be equipped with the necessary hardware and software for UI design, including high-performance computers and access to design software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with the design team, mentors, and cross-functional colleagues, fostering a learning-rich environment.

• Vehicle Access: Potential access to test vehicles or simulators for UI validation, providing a unique aspect of the automotive design experience.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, aligning with standard business hours (e.g., 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM KST).

• The schedule is designed to facilitate integration into project timelines and team workflows, allowing for effective collaboration and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description emphasizes the on-site nature of the internship, the professional office setting in Incheon, and the collaborative, technology-rich atmosphere typical of a major automotive R&D facility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit application, resume, cover letter, and UI design portfolio by November 9, 2025. Use the provided resume template and complete the personal information consent form.

• Document Screening: Initial review of applications, resumes, and portfolios to assess qualifications against job requirements.

• Phone Screening & Video Assessment: A preliminary interview to gauge communication skills, basic qualifications, and cultural fit. May include a short design-related task or assessment.

• Competency Interview: A more in-depth interview, potentially including technical questions, behavioral questions, and a detailed review of the candidate's portfolio. This stage may involve English.

• Offer & Onboarding: Successful candidates will receive an offer and proceed through the onboarding process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest UI design projects that best showcase your skills relevant to automotive infotainment. Prioritize projects demonstrating a clear process, user-centricity, and strong visual design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the outcome. Use visuals effectively to guide the interviewer through your work.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, from research and ideation to prototyping and iteration. Show how you solve problems and make design decisions.

• Tool Showcase: Be prepared to discuss the tools you used (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and why you chose them.

• Automotive Relevance: If you have any projects related to automotive, embedded systems, or complex interfaces, highlight them prominently. Even conceptual projects demonstrating an understanding of these areas are valuable.

• Clarity & Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and concise. A link to an online portfolio (e.g., Behance, personal website) is often preferred over large file attachments.

• Prepare for English: Be ready to present and discuss your portfolio in English, as interviews may be conducted in English.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you approach design problems and think critically about user needs and business goals.

• Technical Acumen: Understand the basic constraints of designing for embedded systems and infotainment platforms.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Think about how you would collaborate with engineers and product managers to bring your designs to life.

• Feedback Integration: Be ready to discuss how you receive and incorporate feedback into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is multi-stage, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review. Candidates should prepare to discuss their design process and work in English.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI/UX Design: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (or similar industry-standard vector design and prototyping tools). Proficiency in at least one is essential.

• Prototyping: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie, or built-in prototyping features within Figma/Sketch/XD for creating interactive mockups.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or internal GM communication platforms for team interaction.

• Project Management: Familiarity with Agile tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Trello for tracking tasks and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI Design role, but understanding how user data informs design is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are those used for UI/UX design and prototyping. Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools common in tech environments is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Driving forward with new ideas and technologies to shape the future of mobility.

• Inclusivity: Fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can contribute their best work.

• Excellence: Committing to high standards in design, engineering, and overall product quality.

• Collaboration: Working together across teams and functions to achieve common goals and deliver exceptional products.

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing the needs and experiences of customers in all design and development decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team actively collaborates with engineering, product management, research, and marketing to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing among team members.

• Iterative Process: Embraces an iterative design approach, where continuous feedback and refinement are key to achieving optimal outcomes.

• Team-Oriented: Emphasizes a collective responsibility for project success, valuing teamwork and mutual support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values align with modern, large-scale tech and automotive companies, emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and strong collaborative practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Automotive HMI Complexity: Designing for the unique and often constrained environments of in-vehicle infotainment systems, considering safety, driver distraction, and diverse user needs.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating the complexities of aligning design vision with technical feasibility and business objectives across multiple departments.

• Real-World Validation: Translating digital designs into physical vehicle environments and effectively addressing feedback from real-world testing.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of automotive development and the need for quick, effective design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UI design, HMI principles, and automotive infotainment systems.

• Industry Experience: Gain invaluable experience working for a global automotive leader, understanding its processes and culture.

• Networking: Build professional connections within the automotive and design industries.

• Career Path Exploration: Understand the potential career trajectory within UX/UI design at General Motors, with a clear path towards full-time employment.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced professionals, accelerating learning and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the automotive design context, and the growth opportunities highlight the internship's value for skill acquisition and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a UI design project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, the tools you used, and the outcome?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to present your chosen portfolio piece in detail, focusing on your thought process, problem-solving skills, and user-centric approach.

• Collaboration: "How do you handle disagreements with engineers or product managers regarding design decisions?"

  • Preparation: Prepare examples demonstrating your ability to communicate design rationale effectively, compromise when necessary, and find solutions that balance user needs with technical constraints.

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine you need to design a new feature for a car's navigation system. What are the first steps you would take?"

  • Preparation: Outline your design thinking process, including identifying user needs, defining requirements, sketching, and prototyping.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in an internship at General Motors, and specifically in automotive UI design?"

  • Preparation: Research GM's vision (Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion), its current vehicle offerings, and its commitment to technology and user experience. Connect your passion for design with GM's mission.

• Team Fit: "How do you contribute to a team environment?"

  • Preparation: Highlight your collaborative skills, willingness to learn from others, and ability to provide constructive feedback.

• Learning Aptitude: "How do you stay updated on the latest UI/UX design trends?"

  • Preparation: Mention resources like design blogs, industry conferences, online courses, and following thought leaders.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Visual Storytelling: Use your portfolio as a visual aid to guide the conversation. Ensure high-quality visuals and clear annotations.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your designs, not just the final output. Detail your problem-solving steps and user considerations.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your projects had measurable outcomes (e.g., improved usability in testing), highlight those results.

• Concise Explanations: Be prepared to explain each project within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 5-10 minutes per project).

• Be Ready for English: Practice presenting your portfolio and answering questions in English, as this may be part of the interview.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating design thinking, collaboration skills, and a genuine interest in GM and automotive UI design, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation in English.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the GM Careers website by the deadline of November 9, 2025.

• Portfolio Customization: Carefully select and curate 2-3 of your strongest UI design projects for your portfolio. Ensure they clearly demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and visual design capabilities, with a preference for automotive or complex interface-related work.

• Resume Optimization: Utilize the provided GM resume template and tailor your resume to highlight relevant UI design skills, tools proficiency (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), academic achievements (GPA), and any prior design experience or projects. Integrate keywords like "UI Design," "User Experience," "HMI," "Prototyping," and "Automotive Infotainment."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and presenting your portfolio. Prepare to discuss your motivations for joining GM and your understanding of automotive UI design challenges. Rehearse answering common interview questions in English.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research General Motors' mission, values, and its commitment to future mobility technologies (Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion). Understand their current infotainment systems and design language to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

• Complete Consent Form: Ensure you complete the personal information consent form sent to your email after submission.

⚠️ 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.

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