Product Designer – 4-month Internship/Co-op (Fall 2026)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer – 4-month Internship/Co-op (Fall 2026)

Company: Intact FC

Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Internship/Co-op

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: May 4, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (Internship)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the design of user-friendly, engaging, and visually appealing mobile applications within a leading digital, data, and tech team.

• The role focuses on the end-to-end product design process, from ideation and conceptualization to creating functional mockups, prototypes, and UI assets.

• Successful candidates will advocate for user-centered and data-driven design principles, influencing the evolution of design guidelines and contributing to robust Design System libraries.

• This position is ideal for students seeking to gain practical experience in a dynamic tech environment, collaborating with experienced designers and developers on real-world projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly align with a UX/UI focused internship. The role emphasizes mobile application design, prototyping, and asset generation, fitting a specialized design track rather than a broader product management scope. The requirement for "business analysis and documentation processes" suggests an integration point with GTM or operational workflows, though the primary focus remains design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, engaging, and visually compelling user interfaces for mobile applications across various brands.

• Develop clear, functional mockups and interactive prototypes to visualize and test design concepts effectively.

• Lead and participate in ideation workshops and design reviews to explore diverse creative solutions and gather feedback.

• Generate UI assets (icons, graphics, etc.) and collaborate closely with development teams to ensure accurate implementation of design specifications.

• Leverage and contribute to existing Design System libraries and brand-specific design guidelines, advocating for new standards.

• Champion user-centered design methodologies and data-driven insights to inform design decisions and enhance user experience.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and business analysts, to align design with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Conduct user research and usability testing (as applicable within internship scope) to validate design hypotheses and identify areas for improvement.

• Maintain a keen awareness of mobile design principles, accessibility standards (WCAG), and emerging UX/UI trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a practical, execution-focused design role. The inclusion of "business analysis and documentation processes" in the requirements, coupled with "advocate for new guidelines and feed libraries in the Design System," suggests that while the primary output is design, there's an expectation to understand the underlying business needs and contribute to the standardization of design assets. This is particularly relevant for operations professionals looking to understand how design integrates with broader GTM strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution pursuing a degree in UX/UI Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field.

Experience: No prior professional work experience required, but a strong portfolio demonstrating foundational UX/UI design knowledge is essential. The role is an internship, so academic projects and personal projects are highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Solid understanding of UX/UI design principles, including user flows, wireframing, and information architecture.

• Knowledge of mobile design principles, best practices, and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, typography, and layout.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and collaborate effectively within a team environment.

• Ability to manage multiple design projects and priorities concurrently in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.

• Meticulous attention to detail and a genuine passion for creating high-quality, user-centric experiences.

• Bilingualism (English and French) is required for candidates located in Quebec due to frequent interaction with colleagues across Canada.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies such as HTML and CSS.

• Understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies and experience working in an Agile development environment.

• Exposure to business analysis and documentation processes.

• Experience with design systems and contributing to their growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, mobile design, and accessibility is standard for UX/UI roles. The "business analysis and documentation processes" requirement is a key differentiator, suggesting that candidates who can demonstrate an understanding of how design supports business objectives, or who have experience documenting design processes, will be highly competitive. This is a valuable skill for operations-minded designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of design projects that clearly demonstrate your understanding and application of UX/UI principles.

• Showcase projects that highlight your ability to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive and visually appealing designs.

• Include examples of mobile application design, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI mockups.

• Demonstrate your proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, through the presentation of your design process.

Process Documentation:

• For each project, provide a brief explanation of the design process undertaken, including research, ideation, iteration, and final output.

• Clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your design approach, the rationale behind your decisions, and the outcomes achieved.

• If applicable, discuss how you leveraged Design System components or contributed to design guidelines.

• Highlight any collaboration with developers or other stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an internship, the portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase aesthetic skills but also the candidate's thought process and ability to articulate their design decisions. The mention of "business analysis and documentation processes" in qualifications implies that explaining the why behind design choices, and how those choices align with business goals, will be a significant advantage. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for documenting design requirements and rationale.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $57,000 - $71,200 CAD per year (based on a 35-hour workweek).

Benefits:

• Opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in product design within a leading digital and tech organization.

• Mentorship from experienced designers and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.

• Access to tech-driven learning platforms for personal and professional development.

• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with product managers, developers, and business analysts.

• Potential to contribute to impactful projects that serve millions of people.

• Networking opportunities within Intact's diverse Digital, Data, and Tech community.

• Paid internship, providing financial compensation for your contribution.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with a defined schedule from September 8 to December 18, 2026.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is annualized. For a 4-month internship (approximately 16-17 weeks), the gross compensation would be approximately $11,000 - $13,800 CAD. The benefits listed are typical for internships and focus on learning and development rather than traditional employee benefits like health insurance, as is common for co-op programs. The fixed dates for the internship are crucial for applicants to plan their academic schedules.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance, Financial Services, Technology. Intact FC is a leader in digital transformation within the insurance sector, leveraging technology and data to provide innovative solutions.

Company Size: Over 3,000 Digital, Data, and Tech experts, indicating a large and well-established technology division within a larger organization.

Founded: Intact Financial Corporation has a long history, but its focus on digital, data, and tech is a more recent, strategic growth area. This suggests a culture that values innovation, agility, and forward-thinking within a stable corporate framework.

Team Structure:

• The Digital, Data, and Tech team is substantial, comprising over 3,000 professionals, allowing for specialization within design, development, data science, and operations.

• The Product Design Intern will likely be part of a dedicated UX/UI design team or embedded within a specific product squad, reporting to a Design Lead or Manager.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity & Data-Driven Design: The team emphasizes understanding user needs and using data to inform design decisions, ensuring solutions are both effective and valuable.

• Agile/Scrum: While preferred, familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies indicates a likely adoption of iterative development and collaborative project management practices.

• Design Systems: A strong focus on Design Systems suggests standardized components, guidelines, and a collaborative approach to maintaining a consistent brand experience across products.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Intact's culture appears to balance innovation with stability. The emphasis on "Digital, Data, and Tech experts" points to a modern, forward-thinking environment where technology is central to business strategy. For a design intern, this means an opportunity to work on real-world challenges with a structured approach to product development and design governance (via Design Systems). The company's mission "to help people, businesses, and society prosper" suggests a purpose-driven culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position designed for students. It serves as a foundational step into the product design field within a corporate technology environment.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Digital, Data, and Tech team. This structure provides direct mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is usually focused on specific project contributions, the role is designed to support the development of products that serve millions of people. Successful design work can directly influence user engagement, satisfaction, and adoption rates, indirectly contributing to business objectives and customer retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience in UX/UI design, prototyping, user research, and working with Design Systems using industry-standard tools like Figma.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about the product development lifecycle in the insurance and financial services sector, understanding how design integrates with business goals and technical constraints.

• Networking: Build professional connections with experienced designers, developers, and product managers, which can be invaluable for future career prospects.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop significant project work to add to a professional portfolio, showcasing practical skills and real-world application.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful interns may be considered for future roles or return internships, depending on business needs and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is a critical stepping stone. The growth opportunities are heavily focused on skill acquisition and practical application. The "business analysis and documentation" aspect, while listed as preferred, could be a significant growth area for an intern who demonstrates aptitude here, positioning them for roles that bridge design and operational requirements more effectively.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site" in Montréal, Quebec. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration and in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): Montréal, Quebec, Canada (specifically at 2020 Robert-Bourassa). This is a prime business district location in Montréal.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature implies a workspace designed to foster teamwork, spontaneous discussions, and direct mentorship. This is beneficial for interns learning from senior team members.

• Tools and Technology: Interns will have access to the necessary design software (Figma) and likely company-provided hardware and collaboration tools, enabling them to execute their design tasks effectively.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with design peers, developers, and product managers will be readily available, facilitating learning and integration into the team.

Work Schedule: A fixed schedule of 35 hours per week from September 8 to December 18, 2026. This structured schedule ensures consistency and allows for immersive participation in team projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in a major business hub like Montréal suggests a professional, structured work environment. For an intern, this provides maximum exposure to workplace norms, professional communication, and direct mentorship, which are often more challenging to replicate in a fully remote setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, university/college transcript, and portfolio. Applications are accepted until May 22, 2026.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed for alignment with academic requirements, portfolio quality, and required skills.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated review of the candidate's portfolio to assess design skills, process, and problem-solving abilities.

Expect to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Interviews: Typically involves one or more rounds, potentially including:

  • An initial conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess general fit and motivation.
  • A technical interview or design challenge focused on UX/UI skills, problem-solving, and design thinking.
  • Interviews with team members (designers, developers) to evaluate collaboration style and cultural fit.

• Offer: A final offer extended to the selected candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your design solutions, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Demonstrate your mastery of Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.

• Showcase Process: Explain your design thinking, user research (if any), iteration, and rationale behind key decisions.

• Address Business Context: If possible, touch upon how your designs aimed to meet business objectives or user needs, aligning with the "business analysis" requirement.

• Ensure Accessibility: Make sure your portfolio is easily navigable and accessible online.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercises: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve a hypothetical problem, a design critique, or a task to improve an existing interface.

• Problem-Solving: Focus on your approach to understanding the problem, brainstorming solutions, and justifying your design choices.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Be ready to present your work and answer questions about your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process strongly emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to "walk through" their portfolio, explaining their design journey for each project. The mention of "business analysis and documentation processes" might translate into interview questions about how they approach understanding project requirements or documenting design decisions, even at an intern level.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design and prototyping tasks. Proficiency is a must-have.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities are key, but familiarity with other tools like Adobe XD or Sketch could be beneficial.

• Design System Libraries: Experience working with or contributing to Design Systems is a significant plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role, but awareness of how design impacts user journeys within CRM or automated workflows is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a requirement. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills within Figma, including its collaborative features, prototyping capabilities, and component-based design workflows. Understanding the concept of Design Systems is also critical, as it's a core part of Intact's approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Valuing diversity and inclusion, creating an accessible workplace where unique perspectives are encouraged.

• Doing Your Best Work: Striving for excellence and continuous improvement in all tasks.

• Open to Change: Embracing new ideas and adapting to evolving technologies and business needs.

• Investing in Your Career: Demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth.

• User-Centricity & Data-Driven: A strong focus on understanding and serving the user, supported by empirical evidence.

• Collaboration: Working effectively as part of a team to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with product managers, developers, and business analysts, emphasizing communication and shared understanding of project goals.

• Feedback Exchange: Open to design reviews and constructive feedback to iterate and improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, tools, and insights within the design community and broader tech team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Intact's stated values, particularly "respect" and "open to change," combined with the emphasis on diversity and inclusion, suggest a supportive and forward-looking work environment. For a design intern, this means an opportunity to learn and grow in a culture that values contributions from all team members and encourages continuous learning and adaptation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Vision with Business Constraints: Learning to create innovative designs while adhering to brand guidelines, technical limitations, and business objectives.

• Navigating a Large Corporate Structure: Understanding how design decisions are made and implemented within a large organization with multiple stakeholders and brands.

• Contributing Effectively as an Intern: Making a tangible impact and demonstrating value within a limited timeframe, while still learning the ropes.

• Adapting to Real-World Project Demands: Shifting from academic projects to the fast-paced, iterative nature of professional product development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX/UI designers and team leads.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile design, Figma, and prototyping.

• Industry Insights: Gain exposure to the insurance sector's technology landscape and product development cycles.

• Professional Networking: Build connections that can support future career advancement.

• Design System Contribution: Understand the principles and practice of contributing to and utilizing Design Systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an internship but are framed positively as opportunities for learning. The "business analysis and documentation" aspect can be a unique growth area for a design intern, allowing them to develop skills that bridge design creativity with operational clarity and business understanding, making them more valuable in future roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, your role, the challenges, and the outcome?" (Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow.)

• User-Centricity: "How do you ensure your designs are user-centered? What methods do you use to understand user needs?"

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you collaborated with others on a design project. How did you handle feedback or disagreements?"

• Problem-Solving: "If you were tasked with designing X feature for a mobile insurance app, how would you approach it?" (Focus on your thought process, not just the final design.)

• Business Acumen: "How do you think design contributes to Intact's business goals?" (Think about user retention, engagement, efficiency.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Intact and this specific internship role?" (Research Intact's mission, values, and recent tech initiatives.)

• "How do you align with our values of respect and openness to change?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically. Start with a brief introduction, then present 3-5 key projects.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a compelling story that highlights your design journey, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Annotate key decisions.

• Process Explanation: Clearly articulate your thought process, research methods, and design rationale.

• Figma Demonstration: Be ready to explain your Figma setup, component usage, and prototyping techniques.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present your most impactful work efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss not just what they designed, but why they designed it that way, and how it aligns with user needs and potential business objectives. Demonstrating an understanding of how design supports operational efficiency or customer satisfaction will be a significant advantage, given the company's context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Design internship position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required documents are attached.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight academic achievements, relevant coursework (UX/UI, graphic design), and any personal projects or volunteer work that showcase design skills and a strong work ethic. Use keywords like "UX/UI Design," "Figma," "Mobile Design," "Prototyping," and "User-Centered Design."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your best projects that demonstrate your Figma proficiency, mobile design capabilities, and understanding of UX/UI principles. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome. Prepare to articulate your design decisions and rationale.

• Prepare for Interviews: Research Intact FC, its mission, values, and recent tech initiatives. Practice articulating your design process and problem-solving approach, focusing on user needs and potential business impact. Be ready to discuss your collaborative style and how you handle feedback.

• Understand the Role: Clearly articulate why you are interested in this specific internship at Intact, demonstrating an understanding of the responsibilities and the company's focus on digital innovation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding specific interview stages and portfolio expectations, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application process. The provided salary range is annualized and should be prorated for the internship duration.