UX Design Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Intern

Company: The Walt Disney Company

Location: New York, NY, USA

Job Type: FULL_TIME, INTERN

Category: Design - Growth+

Date Posted: 2025-10-29

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the design of large-scale, global digital products within Disney Entertainment & ESPN Product & Technology (DEEP&T).

• You will gain hands-on experience applying user-centered design principles to create intuitive, accessible, and delightful user experiences across Disney's diverse portfolio.

• The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, including design, research, engineering, and product management, to translate user needs and business goals into innovative solutions.

• Interns will actively participate in user research, usability testing, and the creation of design deliverables such as wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• This position is ideal for students passionate about technology, storytelling, and the intersection of user needs, creative vision, and business objectives within the entertainment industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically an internship, indicating a focus on learning, development, and contribution under mentorship, rather than independent project ownership. The emphasis on "Growth+" in the business segment suggests a focus on user acquisition, engagement, and retention.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support and apply a user-centered, data-informed design process to understand audience motivations and behaviors.

• Design intuitive, accessible, and delightful solutions that help users meet their goals across Disney's digital platforms.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (design, research, engineering, product management) to explore and develop creative, practical solutions to user problems.

• Contribute to user research and usability testing activities, translating findings into actionable design insights and opportunities for improvement.

• Create design deliverables, including sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, to effectively communicate design intent and gather feedback.

• Work within established design systems and brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency and contributing ideas for documentation and component improvements.

• Participate in design critiques and feedback sessions, iterating on designs based on input from mentors and team members.

• Embrace iteration, collaboration, and ambiguity, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate an intern's role, focusing on supporting existing teams, learning processes, and contributing to specific tasks under guidance. The emphasis on user research and usability testing highlights the importance of data-driven design decisions within the team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently enrolled undergraduate student in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree in Product Design, UX Design, Human–Computer Interaction, Visual Communications, Interaction Design, or a related field.

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated understanding of user-centered design principles and UX fundamentals, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Experience with design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar.

• Ability to create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that effectively communicate design intent.

• Strong visual design sense and attention to detail, including typography, layout, and hierarchy.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a willingness to learn from feedback and iterate on designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or working within established Design Systems.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• A portfolio showcasing design projects, demonstrating problem-solving skills and design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The education requirement specifies undergraduate status and a need to return to school, typical for internships. The skills list is comprehensive for a junior UX role, with a strong emphasis on foundational UX principles and tool proficiency. A portfolio is implicitly expected for a design role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 well-documented UX design projects that demonstrate your understanding of the design process from research to final design.

• Projects should highlight your ability to solve user problems, articulate design decisions, and showcase your visual design skills.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of user research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing) and how you translate research findings into design solutions.

• Showcase your ability to create user flows, journey maps, and information architecture diagrams.

• Provide examples of how you iterate on designs based on feedback and testing.

• Illustrate your proficiency with design tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Cloud for creating detailed mockups and interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a portfolio is a standard requirement for design internships. The enhancement focuses on what a strong UX portfolio for this role should contain, emphasizing process and demonstrable skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package.

• Benefits include Medical, Financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Working Hours:

• Full availability from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week for the entire program duration (12 weeks).

• Specific program duration: May/June - August/September 2026.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided hourly rate is specific to New York City. The benefits listed are general and require further verification for intern-specific offerings. The working hours are clearly defined as full-time, on-site for the internship duration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment, Media, Technology, Consumer Products

Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees) - The Walt Disney Company is a global conglomerate.

Founded: 1923 - Disney has a long-standing legacy and a deeply ingrained culture of storytelling, innovation, and creating magical experiences.

Team Structure:

• The DEEP&T Design team is part of Disney Entertainment & ESPN Product & Technology.

• It comprises talented designers, researchers, content strategists, design systems experts, UX engineers, and leaders.

• This team is structured to foster cross-functional collaboration, pushing boundaries in creativity and user experience.

Methodology:

• User-centered design is a core methodology, emphasizing understanding user motivations and behaviors.

• Data-informed design is also critical, utilizing research and testing to guide design decisions.

• Collaboration across design, research, engineering, and product management is fundamental to developing practical solutions.

• Iteration and feedback are integral to the design process, fostering continuous improvement.

Company Website: https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Disney's culture is renowned for its focus on storytelling, innovation, and creating memorable experiences. The DEEP&T Design team aligns with this by focusing on user delight and pushing technological boundaries in media and entertainment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intern (Entry-level, learning and development focused)

Reporting Structure: Interns typically report to a dedicated mentor or manager within the Design team, who provides guidance and oversees their work. They will also collaborate with various cross-functional team members.

Operations Impact: While interns contribute to projects, their primary impact is through learning, skill development, and assisting the team in delivering user-centered experiences for Disney's vast consumer base. They help inform design decisions that affect millions globally.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning in UX fundamentals, design tools (Figma, Adobe CC), user research, prototyping, and design systems.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining practical experience in a leading entertainment and technology company, understanding the product development lifecycle in a large-scale environment.

• Networking: Building connections with industry professionals, mentors, and fellow interns, which can lead to future opportunities.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Contributing to real-world projects that can significantly strengthen a professional portfolio.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful interns may be considered for future internships or entry-level positions within Disney.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly an internship, so growth is centered on learning and skill acquisition rather than immediate career advancement. The "Growth+" business segment suggests a focus on user engagement and retention, areas where UX design plays a critical role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site (7 Hudson Square, New York, NY). This suggests a traditional office environment conducive to in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY, USA. This is a major hub for creative and technology industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, implying an open office layout or dedicated team spaces designed for interaction.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud) will be provided or expected for use.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to work closely with experienced designers, researchers, engineers, and product managers, fostering mentorship and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time (40 hours per week), Monday to Friday.

• Requires full availability throughout the 12-week program duration.

• A consistent and reliable work schedule is necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like New York suggests a dynamic, collaborative workspace. The emphasis on collaboration and team interaction is key for an intern to absorb knowledge and contribute effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, cover letter (if required), and portfolio link through the Workday careers portal.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed for alignment with educational background, required skills, and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be assessed based on the quality, process, and outcomes demonstrated in their design portfolio.

Expect to showcase projects that highlight user-centered design thinking and problem-solving.

• Interviews: Typically involves multiple rounds:
  • Hiring Manager/Recruiter Screen: To assess overall fit, motivation, and basic qualifications.
  • Team Interviews: With designers, researchers, and potentially product managers to evaluate technical skills, design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration potential.
  • Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio, focusing on your process, rationale, and ability to articulate design decisions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-4 projects that best represent your skills and the type of work done at Disney.

• Show Your Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research conducted, design iterations, rationale behind decisions, and the final outcome or learnings. Use visuals (sketches, wireframes, prototypes, user flows).

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives that highlight your problem-solving journey.

• Tailor to Disney: If possible, highlight projects related to media, entertainment, or large-scale consumer products.

• Ensure Clarity and Polish: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the UX Process: Be ready to discuss your approach to research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly explain your design decisions and the reasoning behind them.

• Focus on Collaboration: Show how you incorporate feedback and work with others.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach common UX challenges in the entertainment/media space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for design internships typically involves a strong emphasis on portfolio review. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their design process and problem-solving skills through their work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools for creating wireframes, user flows, journey maps, and potentially tools like Miro or Mural for ideation and workshops.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Typically not directly relevant for a UX Design Intern role, but understanding how design impacts user journeys within a CRM context can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is a dominant tool in modern UX design, so proficiency here is a significant advantage. The Walt Disney Company likely utilizes robust design systems, so familiarity with those principles is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Storytelling: A core Disney value, applied to crafting compelling user narratives and experiences.

• Innovation: Pushing creative and technological boundaries to deliver unique and magical experiences.

• User Centricity: Deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs and desires of the audience.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve common goals.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in design and execution.

• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Designing experiences that are welcoming and usable by everyone.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork between design, research, product management, and engineering.

• Open to feedback and iterative design processes, encouraging constructive critique.

• Knowledge sharing is encouraged, with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Disney's culture is built around creating magic and joy. The DEEP&T Design team translates this into user experiences that are intuitive, engaging, and emotionally resonant, driven by strong collaboration and a commitment to excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Goals: Learning to integrate user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints into cohesive designs.

• Working with Large-Scale Products: Understanding the complexities of designing for millions of users across diverse platforms and regions.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Adapting to evolving project requirements and finding creative solutions in uncertain situations.

• Incorporating Feedback: Effectively processing and integrating constructive criticism from various stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX designers and leaders.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen skills in specific areas like user research, interaction design, or visual design.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to cutting-edge UX methodologies and tools used in a leading entertainment company.

• Networking: Building professional relationships within the industry.

• Portfolio Building: Creating impactful projects that enhance future career prospects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Internships are designed to present challenges that foster growth. For a UX Design Intern at Disney, these challenges are rooted in translating the company's brand and user expectations into functional, delightful digital experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your design process for [a project in your portfolio]. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?"

• Problem Solving: "How would you approach designing a [specific feature, e.g., a personalized content recommendation system for Disney+]?" Focus on your methodology and considerations.

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you received difficult feedback on your design. How did you handle it?"

• Tool Proficiency: "What are your preferred design tools and why? How do you leverage them for prototyping and user testing?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX design at Disney?"

• "What does 'creating magical experiences' mean to you in a digital product context?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, your solutions (show visuals!), and the outcomes/learnings.

• Storytelling: Present your projects as compelling narratives that highlight your design thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your design choices and rationale in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of UX principles, a clear design process, effective communication, and a genuine passion for Disney's mission and products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Workday careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX design projects that showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and visual design abilities. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible via a link on your resume or application.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any design tool proficiency (especially Figma, Adobe CC). Use keywords from the job description such as "user-centered design," "prototyping," "wireframing," and "collaboration."

• Prepare for Interviews: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss your motivations for wanting to intern at Disney and your understanding of user experience in the entertainment industry.

• Research Disney's Products: Familiarize yourself with Disney's digital offerings (Disney+, ESPN app, etc.) and consider how UX design contributes to their success and user engagement.

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

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