UX Designer Intern- Summer 2026

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Intern - Summer 2026

Company: Hy-Vee, Inc.

Location: West Des Moines, IA, United States

Job Type: Part-Time / Internship

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / IT

Date Posted: March 24, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level / Intern (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers hands-on experience in User Experience (UX) Design within the IT department of Hy-Vee's corporate office.

• The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to craft intuitive and visually appealing digital interfaces, focusing on user-centered design principles.

• Interns will gain practical exposure to the entire design lifecycle, from user research and journey mapping to wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• A key aspect of this role includes contributing to the development and maintenance of design systems and style guides, ensuring consistency and scalability of digital products.

• The position emphasizes learning and application of design thinking methodologies, accessibility standards, and responsive design principles in a real-world business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Designer Intern," the core responsibilities and required skills align with entry-level UX/UI design roles. The emphasis on collaboration with IT Product Management and the AVP of UI/UX indicates a strong connection to product development and strategic design initiatives. The company's focus on "a helpful smile in every aisle" suggests a customer-centric approach that will likely translate into the digital experiences designed.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and marketing, to design intuitive and visually engaging digital experiences for Hy-Vee's platforms.

• Assist in conducting user research, creating user personas, developing journey maps, and building wireframes and interactive prototypes to support product development lifecycles.

• Participate actively in usability testing sessions, meticulously documenting user feedback and synthesizing findings into actionable design recommendations for product improvements.

• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of comprehensive design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure brand consistency and design scalability across all digital touchpoints.

• Utilize industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch to build interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Support the creation of UX documentation, including user flows, wireframes, and interaction specifications, and present design concepts and rationale to team members and stakeholders.

• Learn and apply principles of accessibility (WCAG), responsive design, and design thinking methodologies through practical application in project work.

• Provide prompt, efficient, and friendly customer service in all interactions, embodying Hy-Vee's commitment to helpfulness and care.

• Work collaboratively with co-workers as a cohesive team to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain a positive and productive work environment.

• Adhere to reporting to work on time and as scheduled, demonstrating reliability and commitment to the internship program.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list a blend of core UX design tasks and general internship/company expectations. The "customer service" and "teamwork" bullet points, while important for any role, are framed within the context of supporting the overall mission and work environment. The emphasis on "accessibility, responsive design, and design thinking principles" highlights the modern UX practices expected.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

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

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and design thinking methodology.

• Proficiency in at least one major design and prototyping tool such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills for effective teamwork and stakeholder engagement.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.

• Enthusiasm for creating seamless, accessible, and impactful user experiences.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.

• Well-organized with the capability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with user research techniques, journey mapping, and usability testing methodologies.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and how designs translate to web development.

• Experience with design systems, style guides, or component libraries.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and responsive design principles.

• Experience with data analysis to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly target students in design-related fields with a foundational understanding of UX principles and tools. The inclusion of "analytical skills" and "problem-solving" alongside design skills indicates that the company values a data-informed and strategic approach to UX. The preference for HTML/CSS knowledge suggests that the intern may be expected to understand the technical feasibility of their designs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing academic projects, personal work, or previous internship contributions that demonstrate UX design skills.

• Prototypes and case studies should clearly articulate the problem, the design process undertaken, user research conducted, and the final solution.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes built using tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

• Demonstrations of how user feedback and usability testing informed design iterations and improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of understanding and applying user-centered design processes from ideation to prototyping.

• Documentation of design thinking methodologies used in problem-solving.

• Examples of how design decisions were made based on user needs and business objectives.

• Contributions to or understanding of design systems and style guide principles for maintaining design consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern position, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating potential and foundational skills rather than extensive professional experience. The focus should be on the thought process, the application of UX principles, and the ability to use design tools effectively. The emphasis on process documentation highlights the company's interest in how candidates approach design challenges.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a paid internship, compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and educational level. Based on industry standards for UX Design Internships in the Midwest region for Summer 2026, a typical range would be $18 - $25 per hour.

Benefits:

• Paid internship experience providing valuable professional development.

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a corporate IT environment with a well-established company.

• Flexible hours to accommodate academic schedules.

• Exposure to a wide range of digital product development processes.

• Networking opportunities with IT professionals and leadership at Hy-Vee.

Working Hours:

• Part-time, flexible hours are available, designed to accommodate academic schedules.

• The role is anticipated to be approximately 40 hours per week during the summer period.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on typical intern compensation for UX roles in similar geographic locations and industries. The benefits are tailored to what an intern would typically gain from such a program, focusing on experience, learning, and flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Grocery) and related services. Hy-Vee operates a large chain of supermarkets, with a growing focus on digital services, e-commerce, and in-store technology.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (50,000+ employees). Hy-Vee is a significant employer with a widespread presence across multiple states.

Founded: 1930. Hy-Vee has a long history, evolving from a small general store to a major regional supermarket chain, indicating a stable and established business culture.

Team Structure:

• The internship is within the IT department, specifically reporting to the AVP of IT Product Management, UI/UX.

• This suggests the UX intern will be part of a product-focused team that bridges technology and user experience within the broader IT structure.

Methodology:

• Hy-Vee emphasizes a "helpful smile in every aisle" customer-centric approach, which is likely reflected in their digital product development.

• The core competencies listed (Partnerships, Growth mindset, Results oriented, Customer focused, Professionalism) highlight their values.

• The IT department likely employs agile or hybrid methodologies for product development, integrating design into the workflow.

Company Website: https://www.hy-vee.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Hy-Vee's strong retail roots and customer-first philosophy are key cultural drivers. The IT department's focus on product management and UI/UX indicates a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience, both in-store and online. The internship's placement under an AVP suggests exposure to leadership and strategic thinking.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, designed for students to gain foundational experience in UX Design. It serves as an initial step into the field of User Experience and Digital Product Design.

Reporting Structure: The intern reports directly to the AVP of IT Product Management, UI/UX. This provides direct access to leadership and a high-level view of design strategy and product management.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is developmental, their contributions to user research, wireframing, and prototyping can influence design decisions that ultimately shape the user experience of Hy-Vee's digital products, impacting customer engagement and satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen understanding and practical application of UX/UI design principles, user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Industry Exposure: Gain practical experience in a corporate IT setting within the retail industry, understanding how design integrates with business goals and technology.

• Professional Networking: Build connections with experienced professionals in UX, UI, and IT product management, which can be invaluable for future career opportunities.

• Potential for Future Employment: Successful interns may be considered for future full-time roles or subsequent internships within Hy-Vee, depending on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is purely developmental. The primary "growth" is in learning and skill acquisition. The direct reporting line to an AVP is a significant advantage for an intern, offering mentorship and exposure to higher-level strategic discussions relevant to operations and product development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office setting. The internship is based at the Hy-Vee Corporate office in West Des Moines, IA.

Office Location(s): Corporate Office-West Des Moines, IA, United States.

Workspace Context:

• Likely a modern office environment conducive to collaboration and focused work.

• Access to standard office equipment and potentially specialized design software and hardware.

• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with team members and other interns.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible part-time hours to accommodate student schedules, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week during the summer.

• The role is on-site, requiring physical presence at the corporate office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for internships, allowing for direct mentorship and team integration. The "fast work pace" and "handling multiple jobs/situations" indicate an environment that encourages learning through active engagement and problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review to assess educational background, relevant coursework, and initial fit.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing their design work. This is a critical step to evaluate practical skills and design thinking.

• First Interview: Typically conducted by the hiring manager (AVP IT Product Management, UI/UX) or a senior UX designer. This may include behavioral questions and a discussion of portfolio projects.

• Second Interview (Potential): May involve a technical assessment, a design challenge, or an interview with other team members or cross-functional stakeholders to gauge collaboration and fit.

• Final Decision: Offer extended to the selected candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your UX/UI skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your design decisions, and the outcome or learnings.

• Showcase Process: Emphasize your thought process, not just the final visual design. Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and any research or testing artifacts.

• Highlight Tools: Clearly state the tools you used (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, etc.) and your proficiency.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for academic projects, try to articulate how your design aimed to solve a specific user need or achieve a business goal.

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

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to common UX challenges, such as designing for accessibility, handling conflicting user feedback, or iterating on a design based on limited resources.

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the prompt, asking clarifying questions, outlining your approach, and presenting a well-reasoned solution, even if it's not perfectly polished.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for an internship heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to discuss their projects in detail, demonstrating their understanding of UX principles and their ability to apply them. The process is designed to assess potential and foundational skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (proficiency in at least one required).

• Collaboration: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook), potentially Microsoft Teams or similar internal communication platforms.

• Project Management: Familiarity with systems like Jira or Asana may be beneficial for understanding team workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Basic understanding of how UX design supports customer-facing platforms is beneficial, though direct CRM/automation tool experience is not explicitly required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement revolves around design software. Proficiency in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch is essential. Familiarity with broader product development tools and concepts will enhance the candidate's overall profile.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focused: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the needs of Hy-Vee customers, both in-store and digitally.

• Growth Mindset: Encouragement of continuous learning, adaptation, and embracing new challenges and technologies.

• Results Oriented: A drive to achieve tangible outcomes and contribute to the company's success through effective design solutions.

• Professionalism: Maintaining high standards in work ethic, communication, and conduct.

• Partnerships: Valuing collaboration and teamwork across departments to achieve common goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, working closely with IT Product Management, developers, and potentially other departments.

• Open communication and feedback exchange are expected to foster innovative design solutions.

• A team-oriented approach to problem-solving and project execution is inherent in the company's culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated core competencies directly translate into their operational values and preferred collaboration style. For a UX intern, demonstrating these values through their work and interactions will be crucial for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academic and Internship Demands: Managing time effectively to meet both academic requirements and internship responsibilities.

• Navigating a Large Corporate Environment: Adapting to the processes, hierarchies, and communication styles of a large organization.

• Translating Theory to Practice: Applying academic knowledge of UX principles to real-world business constraints and project requirements.

• Working with Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating design ideas and incorporating feedback from individuals with different technical backgrounds and priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from the AVP of IT Product Management, UI/UX, and potentially other senior designers.

• Practical Skill Acquisition: Hands-on experience with industry-standard UX/UI tools and methodologies.

• Industry Insight: Gaining an understanding of how UX design contributes to business objectives in the retail sector.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building tangible projects and case studies to strengthen future job applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an intern, focusing on adaptation and learning. The growth opportunities are substantial, emphasizing practical skill development and industry exposure within a reputable company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your design process for a project in your portfolio. How did you approach understanding the user needs and translating them into a solution?"

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you encountered a design challenge or received critical feedback. How did you address it?"

• Tool Proficiency: "Which design tools are you most comfortable with, and why? Can you demonstrate a specific feature or technique you use?"

• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with team members on design projects? How do you handle differing opinions?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hy-Vee and this specific UX Design internship?"

• "How do your personal values align with Hy-Vee's core competencies (Customer Focused, Growth Mindset, etc.)?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prepare a Concise Narrative: For each project, have a 2-3 minute summary ready that covers the problem, your role, process, and solution.

• Focus on "Why": Be ready to explain the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, have your interactive prototypes readily available to demonstrate.

• Be Honest About Limitations: It's okay to discuss challenges or areas where you had less experience, especially if you explain what you learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a foundational understanding of UX principles, a willingness to learn, strong communication skills, and a genuine interest in Hy-Vee's mission. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing technical aptitude.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer Intern position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Hy-Vee careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and any prior internship experience that demonstrates your UX/UI design skills and understanding of user-centered principles. Integrate keywords from the job description (e.g., Figma, wireframing, user research).

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, accessible (e.g., via a link), and clearly showcases 3-5 of your strongest design projects. Each project should detail the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse discussing your portfolio projects concisely and effectively, focusing on your design thinking and problem-solving approach. Be ready to articulate your "why" for design decisions.

• Research Hy-Vee: Understand Hy-Vee's business, their customer base, and any digital initiatives they have. Consider how your UX skills can contribute to their mission of "a helpful smile in every aisle."

⚠️ 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.