IDEO Internship 2025 | Innovation & Design Thinking Roles

If you’re passionate about design, innovation, and creative problem-solving, an IDEO internship might just be the perfect opportunity for you. Known for revolutionizing human-centered design, this company works on everything from product design and business strategy to social impact and digital experiences. Their internships offer hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to work on real-world projects that shape industries.

Interning at IDEO isn’t like a typical corporate internship where you’re stuck doing busy work. Instead, you’ll be brainstorming, prototyping, and collaborating with some of the best minds in design. Whether you’re an aspiring UX designer, researcher, strategist, or engineer, there’s a spot for you in their IDEO internship summer program. And yes, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from salary expectations to whether you can work remotely. Ready? Let’s go!

💡 For More Private Internships: Click Here

IDEO Internship in USA | Summer Program Application

About IDEO

The company name IDEO comes from the term “idea” with a design twist, representing innovation, creativity, and human-centered problem-solving. Founded in 1978, the company has grown into one of the most respected design and consulting firms in the world, shaping how businesses approach creativity and strategy. It is known for pioneering the design thinking process, which has influenced countless industries.

From tech companies and healthcare providers to startups and Fortune 500 businesses, IDEO helps organizations reimagine products, services, and business models. Some of their most famous projects include designing Apple’s first mouse, creating Airbnb’s user experience strategy, and even working on global social impact initiatives. The company operates worldwide, with IDEO office locations in San Francisco, New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, and Shanghai, among others.

IDEO Summer Internship Program

If you’re looking for an internship that goes beyond just learning, the IDEO internship summer program is where it’s at. This 10 to 12-week immersive experience allows interns to work on actual client projects, develop their skills, and collaborate with IDEO’s design experts. Unlike some design internships where you’re limited to assisting with small tasks, IDEO ensures that interns are fully involved in the creative process.

Whether it’s user research, prototyping, storytelling, or digital product development, interns contribute ideas and help shape real-world solutions. It’s a fast-paced, exciting environment where you’ll gain experience, meet industry leaders, and possibly secure a full-time role in the future. This internship is ideal for students and recent graduates who are studying graphic design, UX/UI, industrial design, business strategy, or engineering. If you’re someone who loves solving problems through creativity and wants to work in an open, collaborative setting, this program is perfect for you.

Types of Internships

IDEO is all about innovation, creativity, and problem-solving, and their internships reflect that. Unlike typical corporate internships where you might get stuck doing minor tasks, IDEO interns are fully involved in real projects, working alongside some of the best designers, researchers, and strategists in the industry. The company offers several different types of internships, each tailored to specific skills and interests. Whether you are into user experience design, business strategy, or research, there is an internship that fits your passion. Here are the top seven internships that students and recent graduates can apply for.

1. UX/UI Design Internship

If you have ever used an app or website that felt effortless and intuitive, you have UX/UI designers to thank for that. The UX/UI Design Internship at IDEO is all about creating digital experiences that are both functional and visually appealing. Interns in this role focus on user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing, making sure that digital products are not just good-looking but also easy to use.

Interns get hands-on experience working on real client projects, helping to refine user flows, improve accessibility, and enhance digital interactions. The work often involves using tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and InVision to design interfaces that align with human-centered principles. Research is also a big part of the job, meaning you will conduct user interviews and usability tests to gather insights and improve designs.

This internship is perfect for design students, computer science majors, and anyone with a passion for digital product design. Having experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a plus but not always required. If you are someone who loves creating smooth and engaging digital experiences, this role will give you the perfect launchpad into the world of interaction design and UX strategy. Check IDEO’s careers page for UX/UI internship openings.

2. Industrial Design Internship

The Industrial Design Internship at IDEO is for those who love designing physical products that people actually use in real life. From home appliances and furniture to wearable tech and medical devices, industrial designers at this company develop innovative solutions that blend aesthetics with functionality. As an intern, you will be involved in sketching concepts, 3D modeling, prototyping, and testing.

The goal is to create products that are not just beautiful but also solve real-world problems. IDEO is known for its hands-on approach, meaning interns get to experiment with different materials, test design durability, and refine product shapes until they get the perfect balance between usability and style. You will be working with tools like SolidWorks, Rhino, KeyShot, and Fusion 360 to bring your ideas to life.

Interns may also collaborate with engineers, strategists, and researchers to make sure that their designs align with market needs and user preferences. If you are studying industrial design, product engineering, or 3D modeling, this internship is a dream opportunity. You will get to see your concepts turn into actual products, work alongside expert designers, and develop skills that will set you apart in the industry.

3. Business Design Internship

IDEO is not just about making things look good, it is also about solving big business problems through design thinking. The Business Design Internship is for those who are interested in strategy, innovation, and user experience research. Interns in this role help companies rethink how they operate, design new business models, and develop better customer experiences.

Here, you might be analyzing market trends, creating financial models, or testing new service concepts to help businesses grow. One of the coolest things about this internship is that you get to work with actual clients, helping them figure out how to stand out in competitive markets. The company loves hiring interns who can think like entrepreneurs. Business students, economics majors, marketers, and product managers can find real-world applications for creative problem-solving here.

4. Interaction Design Internship

Design is no longer just about making things look good. It is about making them feel interactive, engaging, and immersive. The Interaction Design Internship at IDEO is all about digital storytelling, animation, and creating intuitive user experiences. As an intern, you will work on motion graphics, micro-interactions, interactive websites, and smart device interfaces. Whether it is designing a fluid app transition or crafting an interactive exhibit, your job will be to make digital experiences more dynamic and engaging.

IDEO uses a human-centered approach to interaction design, meaning that you will conduct user testing to see how people interact with digital elements and refine designs based on their responses. If you love working with After Effects, Cinema 4D, Unity, or WebGL, this is the internship for you. It is perfect for students studying graphic design, animation, or front-end development, especially those who enjoy bringing static designs to life through animation and interaction.

5. Human-Centered Research Internship

IDEO’s entire approach to design is built on understanding people first, and that is exactly what the Human-Centered Research Internship is all about. This role is designed for interns who love digging deep into user behaviors, conducting interviews, and analyzing data to uncover insights that drive innovation. Interns in this role spend a lot of time in field studies, usability tests, and ethnographic research.

The goal is to understand how people think, behave, and interact with products or services so that IDEO’s design teams can build solutions that truly resonate with users. You will learn how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods to create user personas, journey maps, and data-driven recommendations. If you are someone who loves psychology, sociology, or anthropology, this internship will give you a chance to apply those skills in a real-world business and design setting.

6. Service Design Internship

Not all design is about physical products or digital interfaces. The Service Design Internship focuses on creating seamless customer experiences in industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality. It is all about mapping out how a service works, identifying pain points, and redesigning customer interactions to make them more efficient and enjoyable.

As an intern, you might be working on designing better check-in experiences at hotels, improving the way customers interact with banking services, or enhancing the patient experience in hospitals. This role involves journey mapping, prototyping service interactions, and testing real-world experiences. It is an amazing opportunity for students interested in business innovation, customer experience design, or strategic consulting.

7. Design Engineering Internship

If you love building things, coding prototypes, and experimenting with new tech, the Design Engineering Internship is the perfect mix of creativity and technical problem-solving. This role sits at the intersection of design and engineering, meaning you will work on everything from interactive prototypes and smart devices to AI-driven interfaces and robotics.

Interns in this role get to work with hardware and software, developing proof-of-concept models and testing how new technologies can enhance human experiences. If you are into Arduino, Raspberry Pi, machine learning, or front-end coding, you will have plenty of opportunities to experiment and create cutting-edge prototypes. This internship is perfect for computer science, electrical engineering, or mechatronics students who want to apply their technical skills in a creative, design-focused environment.

Remote Internship – Work From Home

If you are wondering whether you can do an IDEO internship remotely, the answer is yes, but only for certain roles. IDEO is known for its collaborative, hands-on design process, which means a lot of their work thrives in a studio environment where brainstorming sessions, rapid prototyping, and in-person feedback loops drive innovation. However, as remote work has become more common, IDEO has adapted some of its internships to be available for work-from-home candidates.

The most common remote internship roles are in UX/UI design, business design, human-centered research, and digital strategy. These roles do not require interns to be physically present since most of the work can be done using design tools, data analysis software, and virtual collaboration platforms. Interns working in industrial design, service design, or interaction design may have to be in-office more often since those positions require access to prototyping labs, physical materials, and user testing spaces.

There are both pros and cons to working remotely as an IDEO intern. On the positive side, you get more flexibility in managing your schedule, you do not have to relocate, and you can work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Remote internships also allow you to develop strong virtual communication skills, which are essential in today’s digital-first work environment. However, one downside is that you might miss out on the in-person networking experience and the fast-paced collaboration that happens in an IDEO studio. Design is often a tactile, interactive process, and some of that energy is lost when working remotely.

Companies Like IDEO: Alternative Design Internships

If you don’t get into IDEO, do not worry. There are plenty of other companies that offer amazing design internships in human-centered innovation, UX/UI, industrial design, and business strategy. Here are some great alternatives to consider:

When Do IDEO Internships Open?

If you want to land an internship at IDEO, timing is everything. These internships do not stay open year-round, so knowing when applications open and close can make or break your chances of getting in. Most internship applications open in late fall or early winter, with the main recruitment period happening between October and February. If you are applying for the IDEO internship summer program, you should start preparing your application in November or December since deadlines usually close in January or February. Some roles, especially in research and strategy, might have later application windows, but the majority of internships follow this general timeline.

As for specific deadlines, they can vary depending on the role and office location. Since IDEO is a global company with offices in different countries, each region might have slightly different internship schedules. The best way to stay updated is by subscribing to IDEO’s job alerts, following its LinkedIn page, and checking its official careers portal regularly. Internship positions at IDEO are highly competitive, so applying as early as possible is always a good idea. If you miss a deadline, you may have to wait an entire year for the next application cycle.

Internship Salary

One of the best parts about interning at IDEO? It pays well. Unlike many design internships that only offer unpaid experience, the company makes sure that its interns are fairly compensated for their work. The average internship salary ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, depending on the role, location, and experience level. Interns in technical roles like UX/UI design, business design, or digital strategy tend to earn higher wages, while those in human-centered research and service design may earn slightly less. Here is a general salary breakdown by department:

Beyond the hourly wage, it also provides additional perks, such as networking events, mentorship programs, and potential full-time job offers for top-performing interns. While stipends and bonuses are not common, some IDEO offices may offer relocation assistance if an internship requires you to move.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you start working on your application, it is important to check if you meet the eligibility criteria. To apply, you must be a current student or recent graduate. IDEO internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students, typically in design, business, engineering, psychology, or related fields. Most interns are in their junior or senior year, but some positions may be available for first-year students as well.

There is no official age limit, but most IDEO interns are between 18 and 25 years old. While prior work experience is not required, having a strong portfolio, personal projects, or academic research will significantly improve your chances of getting selected. IDEO values diversity and inclusion, meaning they encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The company prioritizes candidates who demonstrate creativity, problem-solving skills, and a passion for human-centered design.

How to Apply for an IDEO Internship?

Landing an IDEO internship takes more than just sending in a resume. The application process is highly competitive, and you need to make sure you stand out. From crafting a strong portfolio to preparing for interviews, every step matters. If you are serious about securing a spot, follow these steps carefully to maximize your chances of getting selected.

1. Find openings on IDEO’s Careers page or IDEO’s job listings on LinkedIn.
2. Prepare your resume with relevant design, business, or research experience.
3. Build a strong portfolio showcasing case studies, prototypes, or user-centered projects.
4. Write a personalized cover letter highlighting your passion for IDEO and design thinking.
5. Submit your application through IDEO’s website or official job listing platforms.
6. Prepare for the interview, which may include a portfolio review, case study challenge, or behavioral questions.
7. Receive your offer, complete onboarding, and start your internship at IDEO.

Apply Here

Summary

An internship at IDEO is a great opportunity for students and graduates to gain hands-on experience in design, innovation, and business strategy. With roles in UX/UI, industrial design, research, and more, interns work on real projects alongside top industry professionals. The program offers competitive pay and some remote opportunities, with applications opening in late fall or early winter. Since the process is highly competitive, having a strong portfolio, an impressive resume, and interview preparation is key. If you are passionate about human-centered design, this internship can be a great step toward a future in the field.