UX Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Intern

Company: TomTom

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Job Type: Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-04

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on exploring and implementing AI-native design workflows within a UX team, aiming to accelerate the design process and enhance product experiences.

• The role involves hands-on contribution to real UI design deliverables for web and product surfaces, under the guidance of senior designers.

• A key aspect is conducting structured experiments with AI tools across various design stages, from ideation to research synthesis, with a focus on practical application and value.

• The intern will be responsible for documenting learnings, sharing insights with the broader UX group, and presenting their work to both the team and a wider audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "UX Intern", the description strongly emphasizes a focus on the practical application of AI in design workflows, bridging UX/UI design with emerging AI technologies. This suggests the role is specifically geared towards candidates who are not only proficient in design fundamentals but also have a proactive and experimental mindset towards AI integration. The role is positioned as a hands-on opportunity to contribute to live projects, not just a theoretical exploration, indicating a need for practical design skills alongside AI curiosity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct structured experiments with various AI tools to identify practical applications and efficiency gains across the design workflow, including ideation, asset variation, prototyping, copy drafting, and research synthesis.

• Contribute to the design and development of live UI deliverables for web interfaces and product surfaces, ensuring high standards of craft and usability.

• Collaborate with senior designers to integrate AI-assisted workflows into existing design processes, documenting learnings and best practices.

• Synthesize findings from AI experiments into clear, concise write-ups and demos to be shared with the wider UX team, fostering collective learning and adoption.

• Present experimental results, design decisions, and project outcomes to the UX team and at least one broader audience, honing communication and presentation skills.

• Assist in the maintenance and evolution of the design system by exploring AI's role in component generation, documentation, or variation.

• Participate actively in design critiques and team discussions, providing feedback and incorporating constructive criticism into design iterations.

• Support user research activities by exploring AI's potential in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are framed around experimental application of AI in design, direct contribution to UI deliverables, and knowledge sharing. This indicates a role that balances creative exploration with tangible output and team enablement, requiring a proactive and analytical approach to design challenges.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Design (e.g., UX Design, UI Design, Graphic Design, Interaction Design), Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience through academic projects, personal work, or previous internships in UX/UI design.

• Foundational understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and the product development lifecycle. Required Skills:

• AI-Native Workflow Mindset: Actively uses or is eager to experiment with AI tools (e.g., Generative AI for ideation, text generation, image creation) within a design context.

• Systems Thinking & Reasoning: Ability to understand and contribute to design systems, critically evaluate AI outputs, and articulate design decisions and trade-offs.

• Product UI/UX Fundamentals: Strong visual design sensibility, proficiency in clean interface design, understanding of component-based design, and a keen eye for detail.

• Builder Mentality: Comfortable with rapid experimentation, prototyping, and translating ideas into tangible designs, potentially leveraging low-code or AI-assisted tools.

• Clear Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas, design rationale, and findings clearly.

• Proactive & Collaborative: A team player who is respectful of different disciplines, open to feedback, enthusiastic about learning, and takes initiative.

• Thoughtful AI Perspective: Possesses curiosity, opinions, or has begun experimenting with how AI impacts the design and building of products.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or actively using a design system in personal or academic projects.

• Basic prototyping skills using tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Exposure to motion design, interaction design, or animation principles.

• Familiarity with research synthesis techniques, content design, or AI-assisted content workflows.

• Prior exposure to working within cross-functional teams (e.g., with engineers, product managers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" are heavily weighted towards a blend of core design craft and a proactive, critical engagement with AI. The "AI-Native Workflow Mindset" and "Thoughtful Perspective on AI in Design" are key differentiators. The "Builder Mentality" suggests an expectation of practical output and a hands-on approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 well-documented design projects that demonstrate your UX/UI design process from problem definition to final solution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to conduct user research, ideate solutions, create wireframes and prototypes, and iterate based on feedback.

• Include examples of how you've applied design systems or component thinking in your work.

• For this specific role, ideally, include any projects or experiments where you've explored the use of AI tools in your design process, even if they are exploratory or personal projects. Clearly articulate the AI tool used, the problem it aimed to solve, the process followed, and the results or learnings.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of visual design principles, typography, color theory, and layout. Process Documentation:

• For each project in your portfolio, clearly outline the design process followed, including any methodologies used (e.g., Design Thinking, Lean UX).

• Detail the research methods employed, the insights derived, and how these insights informed design decisions.

• Showcase your prototyping skills and explain the rationale behind the chosen fidelity and interactivity.

• Document any iterations or pivots made based on user feedback, usability testing, or stakeholder input.

• If AI tools were used, clearly explain the workflow integration, the specific prompts or parameters used, and the impact on efficiency or creativity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are crucial for this role. Candidates must not only demonstrate strong foundational UX/UI skills but also provide evidence of their engagement with AI in design. This means explicitly showcasing AI-assisted projects, detailing the process, and articulating the value or learnings derived from using AI tools. The emphasis is on a documented, experimental approach to AI integration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As an intern position in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a competitive internship stipend is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for UX/UI internships in major European tech hubs, a range of €600 to €1,000 per month is a reasonable estimate. This can vary based on the specific duration of the internship, the candidate's academic year, and the extent of responsibilities. Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation Package (Intern Stipend)

• Personal Development Budget for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• Paid Learning Days to dedicate time to professional development activities.

• Access to E-learning Resources such as O’Reilly and LinkedIn Learning for skill acquisition.

• Enhanced Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave to support work-life balance.

• Paid Volunteer Leave to contribute to local communities.

• Home Office Setup Budget and a Monthly Home Office Allowance to support hybrid work.

• Option to Work From Abroad for a set number of days annually.

• Competitive Holiday Plan with an additional day off for your birthday.

• Participation in Annual Events like Hackathon and DevDays for innovation and networking.

• Inclusive Global Culture with opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team.

• Additional local benefits tailored to the Amsterdam location. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time internship hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• Hybrid work model: Employees are expected to come to the office two days a week, with the remaining three days flexibly worked from either the office or home.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical internship compensation in the Netherlands tech sector. The benefits listed are directly from the input data and highlight TomTom's commitment to employee development, well-being, and work-life balance, which are attractive for interns seeking a supportive learning environment. The hybrid work arrangement is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology, Mapping, Navigation, IoT, Software Development. TomTom is a leader in location-based technology, providing high-definition maps and navigation solutions for automotive, enterprise, and consumer markets.

Company Size: Over 3,300 employees globally. This size indicates a stable, established tech company with established processes and a global reach, offering opportunities for structured learning and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: 1991. With a long history, TomTom has evolved significantly, from pioneering portable navigation devices to developing real-time maps and advanced location technologies. This longevity suggests resilience, innovation, and a deep understanding of the market.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is an integral part of the product development cycle, working in close partnership with Product Managers, engineers, and the Marketing design team.

• This collaborative structure ensures that design considerations are integrated early and throughout the development process.

• The team likely comprises senior designers, designers with specialized skills (e.g., visual, interaction, research), and potentially UX researchers.

• The intern will be mentored by a Senior Designer, indicating a structured support system for early-career professionals. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on understanding user needs and product outcomes, suggesting that design decisions are informed by data and user insights.

• Agile Development: Common in tech companies like TomTom, implying iterative development cycles, close collaboration with engineering, and a focus on continuous improvement.

• Design System Integration: Active use and contribution to a design system, promoting consistency, efficiency, and scalability across products.

• AI Exploration: A forward-thinking approach, actively inviting exploration and experimentation with AI as a tool to enhance design workflows and product value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: TomTom's position as an established leader in mapping technology, coupled with its forward-looking embrace of AI, creates a unique environment for a UX intern. The company culture values collaboration, innovation, and a data-informed approach. The team structure ensures mentorship and integration into core product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, specifically designed for individuals in the early stages of their design career. It provides a foundational understanding of professional UX/UI workflows within a major tech company. The focus on AI integration offers a unique specialization path in a rapidly evolving field.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a Senior Designer, who will provide mentorship, guidance, and day-to-day oversight. This direct reporting line ensures focused support and clear learning objectives. The intern will also collaborate closely with other members of the UX team, Product Managers, and Engineers.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact is typically developmental, this role is positioned to contribute to "real product and UI deliverables." The experiments conducted with AI tools have the potential to influence future design workflows and efficiency, thereby indirectly impacting product development speed and quality. Sharing learnings contributes to the collective knowledge base and innovation capacity of the UX team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI-Native Design: Deep dive into how AI can be practically applied in UX/UI, developing a niche skill set highly relevant for future roles.

• Hands-on Experience with Live Projects: Gain practical experience in designing for real-world products and contributing to a design system, building a strong portfolio.

• Mentorship and Skill Development: Receive direct guidance from experienced designers, accelerating learning in craft, process, and professional collaboration.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work alongside engineers and product managers, understanding the broader product development ecosystem.

• Presentation and Communication Skills: Develop the ability to articulate design rationale and project outcomes to diverse audiences.

• Networking: Build professional connections within TomTom's international UX community.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is framed as a significant learning and development opportunity. The "Growth Opportunities" are tailored to an intern's career stage, emphasizing skill acquisition, practical application, and mentorship, with a unique emphasis on emerging AI design trends.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: TomTom operates with a hybrid work model, meaning the office environment is a key component for collaboration and focused work. The office is designed to facilitate interaction, team meetings, and potentially specialized design studio spaces.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Amsterdam, The Netherlands. TomTom has a significant presence in Amsterdam, offering access to a vibrant tech ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is intended for collaboration, team syncs, and knowledge sharing, which is essential for design teams. The hybrid model means that office days are likely prioritized for these interactive activities.

• Tools and Technology: Interns will have access to standard design software, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized AI platforms or tools that the team utilizes. Access to company resources like design systems and project management tools will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the UX team, including mentorship sessions, team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional project discussions. The office provides a natural setting for spontaneous design discussions and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role follows a hybrid model, requiring presence in the office for two days per week, with the remaining three days offering flexibility to work remotely or from the office. This structure allows for a balance between in-person collaboration and focused, individual work. Standard business hours apply, with flexibility often available depending on team needs and manager approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment emphasizes the hybrid model and the importance of collaboration. For an intern, this means understanding the purpose of office days (collaboration, team interaction) versus remote days (focused work, individual tasks) and how to best leverage both.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submission of resume and portfolio. The portfolio will be the primary tool for assessing design skills, process, and AI engagement.

• Recruitment Screen: A brief call with the recruitment team to discuss your background, interest in the role, and logistics.

• Hiring Manager/Senior Designer Interview: A more in-depth interview focusing on your design philosophy, experience, understanding of UX/UI principles, and your approach to AI in design. This stage will likely involve discussing your portfolio projects in detail.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your problem-solving skills, design process, and how you've incorporated AI.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: An opportunity to meet other team members and assess cultural fit and collaboration style. Questions will focus on teamwork, communication, and your proactive approach.

• Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final discussion with a lead or manager, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI skills and, crucially, any experience or exploration with AI tools in design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the design decisions you made (and why), the tools used (including AI tools), and the outcome or learnings.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you have specific AI experiments, dedicate clear sections to them. Explain the AI tool, your prompt engineering (if applicable), the results, and your critical assessment of its effectiveness.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, wireframes, prototypes, and mockups. For AI-generated assets, show how you refined or integrated them.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, not just the polished final product. Explain your rationale and how you iterated.

• Be Prepared to Discuss Trade-offs: Especially regarding AI, be ready to discuss the benefits, limitations, ethical considerations, and potential biases of the tools you used.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Prompt: Carefully read and understand any design challenge given. Clarify any ambiguities.

• Time Management: Allocate your time wisely across understanding the problem, ideation, design, and presentation.

• Focus on Process: Even in a short challenge, demonstrate your UX thinking. Document your assumptions and rationale.

• AI Integration (if applicable): If the challenge allows, consider how AI could ethically and effectively assist in solving the problem.

• Presentation Clarity: Prepare to present your solution concisely, highlighting key decisions and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process strongly emphasizes the portfolio, particularly any AI-related design work. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process, rationale, and critical thinking, especially concerning the use of AI tools. The interview process is designed to assess both design craft and an innovative, AI-curious mindset.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and collaboration features), Sketch, Adobe XD.

• Design System Tools: Figma (component libraries), Zeplin, Storybook (potentially for documentation).

• AI Tools for Design: Generative AI platforms for ideation (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion for image generation), AI writing assistants for copy drafting (e.g., GPT-based tools), AI tools for research synthesis (e.g., Dovetail AI, specialized analysis tools).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a UX intern, exposure to analytics tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel might be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch.

• Internal TomTom analytics platforms for product performance monitoring. CRM & Automation:

• Less relevant for this specific UX intern role, but understanding how user feedback or product usage data flows into CRM systems (like Salesforce) can provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes common UX/UI design tools, with a significant emphasis on the integration of AI tools. Candidates should be familiar with industry-standard design software and demonstrate a willingness and ability to explore and utilize emerging AI technologies within the design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Experimentation: A core value for this role, encouraging exploration of new technologies like AI and testing innovative approaches.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: Commitment to high standards in design, ensuring usability, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) to achieve shared goals.

• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design decisions, driven by research and empathy.

• Impact & Outcomes: Focusing on design that delivers tangible value and achieves business objectives.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing new knowledge, skills, and technologies to stay at the forefront of the design field.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active participation in multidisciplinary teams, contributing design expertise to product development.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive criticism and providing feedback respectfully to foster growth and improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing insights, best practices, and learnings from experiments (especially AI-related ones) to benefit the entire team.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing an agile and iterative approach, where designs are refined based on feedback and evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is geared towards innovation and collaboration, with a strong emphasis on experimentation, particularly with AI. The values align with a forward-thinking UX team that values both creative output and practical application, fostering an environment where interns can learn and contribute meaningfully.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging AI Hype and Practicality: Navigating the rapid evolution of AI tools to identify genuinely useful applications that enhance, rather than complicate, the design process. This requires critical evaluation and experimentation.

• Integrating AI into Existing Workflows: Seamlessly incorporating AI tools into established design processes and systems without disrupting efficiency or quality.

• Demonstrating ROI of AI Experiments: Quantifying the benefits of AI-assisted design work in terms of time saved, improved quality, or enhanced user experience.

• Maintaining Design Craftsmanship: Ensuring that AI-generated elements or AI-assisted workflows still meet high standards of usability, aesthetics, and brand consistency.

• Navigating Ambiguity: As an intern exploring a new area, there will be inherent ambiguity. Learning to work effectively with unclear parameters and defining one's own experimental direction is key.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Develop expertise in leveraging AI tools for ideation, content generation, research synthesis, and prototyping.

• Design System Contribution: Gain practical experience contributing to a professional design system, understanding its architecture and maintenance.

• Professional UX/UI Craft: Hone visual design, interaction design, and prototyping skills under the mentorship of senior designers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Learn to effectively communicate and collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• Presentation Skills: Develop the ability to articulate design rationale, project outcomes, and experimental findings to diverse audiences.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insight into how a global tech company like TomTom approaches product development and design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the cutting-edge nature of the role, focusing on the practical application of AI. The growth opportunities are designed to equip the intern with highly relevant skills for the future of UX/UI design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• AI Integration Strategy: "How would you approach experimenting with AI tools to improve our design workflow for [specific product area, e.g., in-car navigation interface]? What criteria would you use to evaluate success?" (Prepare by thinking about specific AI tools and how they could address potential pain points in the design process of a mapping/navigation product.)

• Design System Thinking: "Describe a time you worked with or contributed to a design system. How does AI potentially impact the creation or use of design systems?" (Be ready to discuss component thinking, reusability, and how AI might generate variations or documentation.)

• Problem-Solving & Trade-offs: "Imagine you're tasked with designing a new feature for our [product]. How would you start, and what AI tools might you consider using at different stages? What are the potential trade-offs?" (Focus on demonstrating a structured design process and a critical, balanced view of AI.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• TomTom's Mission: "What excites you about TomTom's mission to create the smartest map on the planet?" (Research TomTom's vision and current initiatives. Connect it to your interest in design and AI.)

• AI's Role in Navigation: "What are your thoughts on the role of AI in shaping future navigation and mapping experiences?" (Showcase your understanding of the industry and forward-thinking ideas.)

• Collaboration Style: "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with individuals from different disciplines. How did you ensure effective communication and alignment?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• AI Project Spotlight: Dedicate a significant portion of your presentation to any projects where you've used AI tools. Clearly explain the objective, your process (including prompts and AI tool choices), the results, and your critical reflections.

• Process Over Polish: While visuals are important, emphasize your thought process, decision-making, and how you iterated based on insights or feedback.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, quantify the benefits of your AI experiments (e.g., "saved X hours," "generated Y variations"). If not quantifiable, articulate the qualitative benefits clearly.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Structure your presentation logically and deliver it clearly and concisely, leaving time for Q&A. Practice your timing.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Understand the limitations and capabilities of the AI tools you mention. Be prepared to discuss ethical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of core design skills, a proactive approach to AI experimentation, and an understanding of TomTom's domain. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process, rationale, and critical thinking, especially concerning AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the TomTom careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your UX/UI design fundamentals, any experience or exploration with AI tools in design, your systems thinking capabilities, and your builder mentality. Ensure any AI-related projects are clearly documented with process and learnings.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly state your academic pursuits and highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any previous internship or work experience. Use keywords such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "AI-Native Workflow," "Design Systems," "Prototyping," and "User Research."

• Interview Preparation: Review common UX interview questions, prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, and practice articulating your thoughts on AI's role in design and the future of navigation. Anticipate questions about collaboration and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TomTom's products, mission, and recent news. Understand their position in the automotive and mapping technology sectors, and consider how AI is likely to influence their offerings.

⚠️ 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.