UX Design Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Intern

Company: Awardco

Location: Lindon, Utah, United States

Job Type: Internship, Full-Time

Category: UX/Product Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on applying user-centered design principles to enhance Awardco's employee experience platform, directly contributing to user workflows and visual appeal.

• Responsibilities include leveraging AI tools for efficient research synthesis and prototyping, alongside critical human judgment to refine AI-generated outputs.

• The intern will translate user research and usability testing findings into actionable design improvements and new features, with a clear connection to business impact.

• This position offers hands-on experience in a fast-growing company within the employee experience industry, emphasizing thoughtful integration of AI in the design process.

• The role requires a proactive and coachable attitude, with a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration within a product team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Design Intern," the description emphasizes "Product team" and "Product/engineer internships," indicating this role is deeply embedded within the product development lifecycle, focusing on operationalizing design insights into tangible product improvements. The explicit mention of AI tools and the need for critical human judgment suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Apply user-centered design principles to iteratively improve the workflow, expand the functionality, and enhance the visual appeal of the Awardco platform.

• Gather requirements from users and stakeholders, define information architecture, create sample user personas, and document user workflows, utilizing AI tools for accelerated research synthesis while applying critical human judgment to validate AI output.

• Design wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, including interactive, near-functional prototypes using AI-assisted or design-to-code tools to facilitate rapid idea testing with real users.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and facilitate focus groups, with a keen awareness of when AI-generated summaries require deeper human analysis and validation.

• Translate results from user research and usability testing into concrete design recommendations for new and existing features, ensuring design decisions are clearly connected to measurable business impact.

• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation of user-centric features.

• Actively experiment with and provide feedback on AI-assisted design and research tools to optimize their effectiveness within the team's workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed around the practical application of design principles within a product development context. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a focus on efficiency and innovation in the design operations pipeline. The requirement to connect design decisions to "real business impact" highlights the operational aspect of measuring success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a relevant bachelor’s degree program (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Computer Science, Psychology) or within 1 year of completing a relevant program or a recognized bootcamp certification.

Experience: Foundational understanding of UX design principles and methodologies. Previous internship or project experience in design or a related field is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles and their application in product development.

• Familiarity with core design software such as Figma.

• Hands-on comfort and active experimentation with AI-assisted design and research tools (e.g., Claude Code, Claude Design, or similar).

• Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated work, discerning when human judgment is needed for refinement and validation.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and feedback effectively in a team environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to think critically about user needs and business objectives.

• Accountability and readiness to take ownership of assigned tasks and projects within a structured internship program. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design-to-code tools.

• Exposure to information architecture, user personas, and workflow documentation.

• Previous experience conducting user research or usability testing.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

• Proactive attitude towards learning and adapting to new technologies and design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of foundational design skills and a forward-looking embrace of AI technologies. The requirement to "think critically about AI-generated work" is a key differentiator, highlighting the need for judgment and oversight in an AI-augmented workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase projects demonstrating the application of user-centered design principles to solve real-world problems.

• Include examples of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes, ideally highlighting the process of iteration based on feedback or testing.

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your process, the tools used (including any AI tools experimented with), and the outcome or impact of your design solutions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design decisions contribute to user engagement and business objectives. Process Documentation:

• For portfolio projects, clearly document the user research and synthesis process, including how user needs were identified and translated into design requirements.

• Detail the prototyping and testing phases, explaining how user feedback was incorporated to refine designs.

• Illustrate the workflow from initial concept to final design, highlighting key decision points and rationale.

• Where applicable, show how AI tools were integrated into the design or research process, and how human oversight ensured quality and accuracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the portfolio expectations are focused on demonstrating process and potential rather than extensive professional experience. The emphasis on AI integration and critical evaluation of AI output is crucial. The requirement for "process documentation" within portfolio pieces underscores the need for candidates to articulate their methodology.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20 - $25 per hour.

Benefits:

• Direct contribution to product development in a fast-growing company.

• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI design tools.

• Opportunity to work on a platform that impacts millions of users globally.

• Exposure to a highly collaborative and recognized workplace culture (Great Place to Work certified, Inc. Best Workplaces, etc.).

• Potential for extension and future employment opportunities based on performance.

• Mentorship and guidance from experienced product and design professionals.

Working Hours: This is a full-time summer internship, typically around 40 hours per week. Specific daily hours may be flexible within standard business operations, allowing for focused work on design tasks and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is standard for UX design internships in the US. The "benefits" are framed around the unique learning opportunities and company culture, which are key selling points for intern roles in high-growth tech companies. The mention of "potential for extension" is a significant benefit for ambitious interns.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Employee Experience / HR Technology. Awardco operates in a rapidly evolving sector focused on recognition, rewards, and employee engagement. The company's mission is to make workplaces more rewarding and fun.

Company Size: Awardco is a fast-growing company, indicated by its multiple Inc. 500 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 recognitions. This suggests a dynamic, potentially agile environment with a significant number of employees, likely ranging from 200-1000+, offering both structure and opportunities for impact.

Founded: Awardco has been recognized for rapid growth, implying it has been in operation for several years, allowing for established product lines and operational processes, while still maintaining a startup-like energy.

Team Structure: The intern will be part of the Product team, working closely with UX designers, product managers, and engineers. This structure is typical for tech companies, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration. The team likely operates in an agile methodology, with defined sprints and iterative development cycles.

Methodology: The Product team's methodology will likely involve a blend of user-centered design, agile development, and a growing integration of AI tools for efficiency and innovation. This means a data-informed approach to decision-making, with a strong emphasis on user feedback and iterative improvement.

Company Website: https://award.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is highlighted as a significant positive, evidenced by numerous "Best Places to Work" awards. This suggests a supportive environment that values employee well-being and professional development, which is particularly attractive for interns seeking a positive first professional experience. The rapid growth implies a fast-paced, innovative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, providing foundational experience in UX design within a product team. It is designed for individuals early in their career journey, offering exposure to professional design workflows and the product development lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The intern will likely report to a Senior UX Designer or a Product Manager, who will provide direct supervision, mentorship, and project assignments. This structure ensures guidance and learning opportunities.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact may be project-specific, their work on improving user workflows and enhancing platform functionality directly contributes to the overall user experience, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's success in the employee experience market. The focus on driving "real business impact" through design is a key operational objective.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UX design tools (Figma), user research methodologies, prototyping, and gain practical experience with AI-assisted design tools.

• Career Exploration: Gain firsthand experience in the HR Tech industry and understand the dynamics of a fast-growing SaaS company.

• Networking: Build professional relationships with designers, product managers, and engineers who can serve as mentors and future references.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time positions or extended internships, offering a clear pathway for career progression within Awardco.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around practical skill acquisition and industry exposure, which are critical for interns. The mention of "potential for extension and future employment" is a strong indicator of a structured internship program designed to identify and nurture talent.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site internship position located in Lindon, Utah. The work environment is likely a modern office setting designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Lindon, Utah, within Utah County. This location is in a growing tech hub area in the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace that encourages interaction with team members, fostering a culture of shared learning and problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and company-provided AI tools, along with necessary hardware and software for design and research tasks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional discussions with product and engineering teams.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While specific daily hours may vary, the expectation is consistent engagement during core business hours to facilitate collaboration and project progress. Flexibility may be offered, but on-site presence is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is clearly stated. The emphasis on a collaborative environment and access to modern tools is typical for tech internships and highlights the practical learning opportunities available.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Review of submitted applications and resumes, with a focus on educational background, relevant skills, and demonstrated interest in UX and AI.

• Portfolio Review: Evaluation of the candidate's design portfolio, assessing the quality of work, demonstration of process, and understanding of user-centered design principles, with particular attention paid to any AI tool experimentation.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: This stage will likely involve behavioral questions, scenario-based questions related to design challenges, and discussions about the candidate's approach to AI in design. Expect questions about how you've used or experimented with AI tools.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A potential exercise to assess practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and how the candidate approaches a specific design problem, possibly incorporating AI considerations.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or leadership to assess cultural fit and overall potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process Over Polish: For an intern role, it's more important to demonstrate your thought process, problem-solving skills, and how you iterate on designs than to present a fully polished, final product.

• Highlight AI Experimentation: Explicitly detail any projects where you experimented with AI tools for research synthesis, ideation, or prototyping. Explain your approach and what you learned.

• Quantify Impact (Where Possible): Even for academic projects, try to connect your design decisions to potential user benefits or business outcomes.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically with clear project descriptions, visuals, and explanations of your role and contributions.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with Awardco's mission of employee experience and any projects where you've explored AI in design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Awardco's Product: Familiarize yourself with Awardco's platform and its core value proposition in the employee experience market.

• Practice AI Integration Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would use AI tools to accelerate design processes (e.g., generating initial research summaries, exploring design variations) and how you would critically evaluate the output.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Be ready to explain the "why" behind your design decisions, linking them to user needs and business goals.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, the company culture, and the challenges of designing for employee experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process description is tailored to a UX internship, emphasizing the evaluation of potential, process, and willingness to learn, especially concerning AI. The portfolio and challenge preparation tips provide actionable advice for candidates to stand out.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, mockups, and prototyping. Proficiency or strong familiarity is expected.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Specifically mentioned are Claude Code and Claude Design, indicating a strong interest in AI integration. Candidates are expected to be experimenting with these or similar AI tools.

• Design-to-Code Tools: Mentioned as a way to test ideas quickly, suggesting potential use of tools that bridge design and development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated for interns, understanding the basic principles of how user behavior is tracked and analyzed (e.g., via product analytics platforms) would be beneficial for connecting design to impact. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UX intern role, but awareness of how CRM and automation tools feed into user experience and product requirements could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and the emphasis on AI tools like Claude Code and Claude Design are critical for candidates to prepare. This highlights Awardco's commitment to leveraging AI in their design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring that design decisions directly benefit the end-users of the platform.

• Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to explore new technologies, particularly AI, to enhance design processes and deliver solutions more effectively.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork, encouraging open communication and shared problem-solving across design, product, and engineering disciplines.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on delivering tangible results that contribute to business objectives and improve the employee experience for Awardco's clients.

• Continuous Learning: An environment that supports and encourages individuals to stay curious, learn new skills, and adapt to evolving industry trends, especially in AI.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration between UX designers, product managers, and engineers is fundamental to the product development lifecycle.

• Feedback Culture: An open environment where constructive feedback on designs and processes is welcomed and encouraged.

• Agile & Iterative: Work is likely structured around agile sprints, with regular check-ins and iterative improvements based on testing and stakeholder input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values align with a modern, growth-oriented tech company that embraces innovation (AI) and teamwork. The emphasis on "Impact-Driven" and "Continuous Learning" is particularly relevant for interns looking to grow and contribute meaningfully.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing AI Efficiency with Human Judgment: Learning to effectively leverage AI tools for speed and scale while ensuring that human oversight and critical thinking prevent errors or biases in the design output.

• Translating Complex User Needs into Simple Solutions: The core challenge of UX design, requiring the ability to distill complex requirements into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces within the employee experience domain.

• Adapting to Rapid Technological Advancements: Staying current with the fast-paced evolution of AI in design and integrating new tools and methodologies into the workflow.

• Working in a Fast-Paced Growth Environment: Navigating the dynamic nature of a rapidly growing company, which may involve shifting priorities and evolving processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Gain practical experience and insights into how AI is transforming UX design workflows.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Deep understanding of how design integrates with product management and engineering in a real-world setting.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the thriving employee experience and HR tech industry.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced professionals in UX and product development, fostering professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed to be learning opportunities. The focus on AI integration and the fast-paced environment are key aspects that an ambitious intern can leverage for significant growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project where you used AI tools to assist your design process. What were the benefits, and what were the limitations you encountered?" (Focus on critical evaluation of AI output).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for an employee recognition platform, considering user-centered design principles and potential AI enhancements?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and understanding of the product domain).

• "Imagine you received AI-generated user research summaries. How would you validate their accuracy and identify potential biases before using them to inform your design decisions?" (Highlight critical thinking and human oversight). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Awardco and our mission to improve employee experience?" (Show genuine interest and research).

• "How do you approach collaboration, and what has been your experience working in a team environment, especially with engineers or product managers?" (Assess teamwork and communication skills).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new technologies, particularly AI in design?" (Demonstrate curiosity and commitment to learning). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, guide the interviewer through your problem-solving journey, from understanding the user need to delivering the final solution.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially if working in a team or using AI tools.

• Explain Your Process: Walk through your design steps – research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing – and justify your decisions.

• Showcase AI Integration: If applicable, present how you used AI tools, what you learned, and how you ensured the quality and relevance of the output.

• Connect to Impact: Wherever possible, explain the intended or actual impact of your design solutions on users and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to probe the candidate's understanding of user-centered design, their critical thinking around AI, and their fit within Awardco's culture and product space. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes storytelling and clear articulation of process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Design Intern position:

• Submit your application through the Awardco careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any experience with design software (Figma) and AI tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong projects that showcase your design process, user-centered approach, and any experimentation with AI tools. Ensure clear project descriptions and your role.

• Prepare for the interview: Research Awardco's product, mission, and recent news. Practice articulating your design process and how you would approach design challenges, particularly involving AI.

• Craft your cover letter (if applicable): Express your enthusiasm for Awardco's mission and your specific interest in leveraging AI in UX design.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Awardco before making application decisions. The application review timeline is noted as October 2027 for a Spring/Summer 2027 internship, which is unusual and may be a typo in the original posting; candidates should confirm the correct application window.