HomeBlogWeb DevelopmentHow to Get a UI/UX Design Internship in 2024? [Step-by-Step Guide]

How to Get a UI/UX Design Internship in 2024? [Step-by-Step Guide]

Published
27th Mar, 2024
Views
view count loader
Read it in
9 Mins
In this article
    How to Get a UI/UX Design Internship in 2024? [Step-by-Step Guide]

    With the growing popularity of digital resources worldwide, the demand for UX designers has skyrocketed over the years. UX (User Experience) design is a very challenging, and one can gain real-world hands-on experience through internships and apprenticeships.

    If you have finished your design course and are wondering how to get a UI/UX internship in India, we shall provide you with a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a UX designing intern, the benefits of doing an internship, and how to apply for one.

    By securing a UI/UX internship, you will get informed guidance from experienced professionals, all while enhancing your design skills, portfolio expansion, and more.

    What Does a UI/UX Intern Do?

    A UI/UX design intern is a temporary "employee" of a company wherein he/she gains real-world knowledge of the intricacies of user interface and user experience design.

    The primary responsibility of a UI/UX intern involves designing web pages, applications, and software to make them more user-friendly and efficient. However, before knowing how to get an intern job as a UI/UX designer, you should have a clear-cut idea about the different roles and responsibilities of an Intern.

    Some of their primary responsibilities include:

    1. Research: You may be asked to conduct interviews, surveys, or usability testing to identify the needs and preferences of the target customer base. UX interns are also often included in core research plans to analyze data patterns and identify areas of improvement.
    2. Prototype Building: Before searching for a UI/UX internship, you must be aware of some essential tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma to design proper prototypes for the stakeholders. These prototypes will help them to analyze the usability and functionality of the final product.
    3. Virtual Designing: Though you may not be directly associated with virtual designs, UX interns are often needed to collaborate with other designers to create visually appealing interfaces.
    4. Testing: You may be entrusted to create various test scenarios, moderate the test sessions, and provide feedback on the usability of the finished product.
    5. Documentation: Interns may be asked to record the complete design process of the product to maintain proper documentation. These documents help the company to communicate the concepts and future requirements to the stakeholders without wasting time.

    Benefits of a UI/UX Design Internship

    Some of the benefits of doing a UI/UX design internship after your course are:

    1. Real-World Experience: As a UX design intern, you will work under the mentorship of experienced professionals while working on live projects. This will help you implement theoretical knowledge to combat actual challenges, thus increasing your problem-solving acumen.
    2. Proper Guidance: You will gain unparalleled knowledge and guidance from experienced design professionals. You can also get insights into the best industry practices that will be beneficial throughout your professional journey.
    3. Portfolio: One of the critical aspects of doing a UI/UX design internship is the opportunity to build your portfolio. Throughout your internship, you will work on a wide range of projects that you can add to your CV, which will demonstrate your skills, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities.
    4. Skill Development: During your internship, you will gain knowledge about various techniques and tools used in UI/UX designing. You will also be exposed to different aspects of the designing process, such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

    Types of UI/UX Internships to Consider

    Before knowing how to get a UI/UX internship, you must have a clear idea of the different types of internships from which you can choose.

    Some of the UI/UX internships that would be highly beneficial for your career include:

    1. Product Design Internship

    Product designing internships focus on building/creating user-centric digital products. You will need to work closely with engineers, product managers, and other fellow designers/interns to conceptualize and/or develop prototypes & wireframes for various websites, applications, and software interfaces.

    Skills required: Sketch or Figma

    2. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Design Internship

    One of the fastest-growing and most demanding internships worldwide, AR/VR interns create and design experiences within augmented and virtual reality environments. You will need to work on 3D interfaces to create immersive and storytelling experiences within the VR world.

    Skills required: Unity or Unreal Engine

    3. Interaction Design Internship

    You will be responsible for creating wireframes and prototypes of how a user will interact with the designed interface.

    Skills required: Adobe XD or Axure; if you do not have these skills, you can search for KnowledgeHut's UI UX Design course near me to choose from a wide variety of options.

    4. Visual Design Internship

    If you choose to be a virtual design intern, you will be required to create interactive and efficient visual designs. You will be working on aspects like color schemes, typography, and iconography to enhance the overall look and feel of an application/product.

    Skills required: Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator

    5. User Research Internship

    If you are interested in pursuing a research internship, keep in mind that you will be required to critically analyze user behavior patterns and market preferences and identify the pain points using various qualitative and quantitative research methods.

    Skills required: Strong analytical skills

    6. UX Writing Internship

    UX writer interns create clear and concise content for digital interfaces. If you wish to proceed with a writing internship, keep in mind that you will need to make copies of the interface that ensure efficient usability.

    Skills required: Excellent writing skills and in-depth understanding of various UX principles

    7. Accessibility Design Internship

    You will be responsible for creating digital products that can be used by users of all abilities. You will need to conduct accessibility audits while designing accessible interfaces that users all over the globe can use, irrespective of their limitations.

    Skills required: WCAG

    Steps to Get a UI/UX Internship

    If you are not aware of how to get a UI/UX internship, follow the steps given below to secure an internship opportunity that complements your education/skills and is beneficial to your career.

    1. Understand the basic requirements

    First, familiarize yourself with the basics of UI/UX designing. Gain in-depth knowledge about the various design principles, methodologies, prototyping tools used, and the most used software available on the market.

    2. Create a portfolio

    The second and perhaps the most essential step to getting a UI/UX internship is building a solid portfolio. Showcase some of the most exciting and complex projects you completed either during your course or afterward. We recommend that your portfolio be thoroughly detailed and consist of prototypes, wireframes, visual designs, workflows, etc.

    3. Gain the relevant skills required

    For fast and excellent interning opportunities, we recommend you gain knowledge in Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, or InVision. Additionally, always be keen to know more about the research techniques, interaction design principles, and various usability testing methods.

    4. Enroll in some online courses or attend boot camps

    We recommend you enroll yourself in some online courses or attend boot camps and workshops that primarily focus on UI/UX designing. There are various platforms, like KnowledgeHut Upgrad, that offer a complete Web Development course that includes application designing, among other things.

    5. Keep networking

    Regularly attend meetups, conferences, or events to get more real-world case studies on UX design. Additionally, you can connect with the professionals attending them to create a vast networking opportunity that will help you in career advancement and referrals.

    6. Create a robust resume/application

    One of the most essential aspects you should remember when getting a UI UX internship is creating a solid yet crisp application. Don’t create long resumes; instead, only highlight the important things relevant to the type of internship and your qualifications. Ensure that your cover letter highlights your passion and future aspirants in the UI/UX designing field with the relevant skills and experiences. 

    7. Ask for feedback

    Even if you are not selected, we recommend asking HR for feedback. Understand your flaws and find new avenues for improvement.

    What Skills are Required for a UI/UX Intern Job?

    UI/UX interns need to have a wide range of skills depending on the type of internship they are applying for. Some of the basic skills required are:

    • Designing principles
    • Visual designing skills
    • Prototyping and wireframing
    • Understanding interactive design
    • Tool proficiency
    • Front-end development basics
    • Research skills
    • Problem-solving abilities

    Where to Find a UI/UX Internship Job?

    Finding a proper UX design internship can be daunting and may prove to be useless if done by MSMEs. Some of the reliable and trusted sources to get paid / unpaid internships are:

    1. Indeed: Indeed is one the most significant job search engines operating worldwide. They have a specific section dedicated to UI/ UX jobs and internships. The most user-friendly internship searching portal allows you to look for opportunities based on your location, preferred company, or specific type of internship.
    2. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is one of the most well-respected professional networks connecting professionals from all domains worldwide. You can search for internship opportunities based on your location and the preferred internship type and working model (hybrid, WFH, or WFO).
    3. Online Courses: There are various online courses offered in India that provide internship opportunities after their completion. You can search for UI/UX Design course near me to get a glimpse of all the best-reviewed institutions providing a wide range of courses. However, before selecting a course, we recommend you check for the advantages and compare them with other courses to find the most profitable one.
    4. Glassdoor: One of the reliable answers on how to get a UI/UX internship, Glassdoor is a job-related website that comprises company reviews, salaries, and interview processes given directly by currently working employees.

    How Much Do UI/UX Interns Make?

    The annual or monthly salary that a UI/UX intern can make depends on various factors. The remuneration depends on the area of the job, related industry, experience level, and even company compensation regulations.

    While the average annual salary for UI/UX interns in the USA is about $98,878 (Source: Glassdoor), in the UK, the salary as per Indeed ranges from £24,260 per year to £30,000. In the US, sometimes interns also get paid onhourlyp to $48.

    Monthly stipends in India range from about ₹15000 to ₹20000 on average and can even range up to ₹70000 depending on your previous experience, portfolio, and efficiency. Although uncommon, some interns from top-tier engineering colleges even get additional benefits like access to mentorship programs, effective networking opportunities, and even a pre-placement offer.

    A pre-placement offer, or PPO, is when the company you are interning with offers you a full-time employment offer upon completing the internship duration. So, after you have completed understanding how to get a UI/UX internship, the next thing you should always research as to where to go for a good UI/UX internship.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, landing a UX design internship in India offers aspiring professionals a wide range of benefits. As explained above, it allows freshers to gain real-world insights into their theoretical knowledge and cultivate their skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.

    After searching for ways how to get a UI/UX internship, you must be proactive in shortlisting the best internship types depending on your overall goals and objectives. By utilizing online job portals and networking sites, you can get notified about various internship opportunities from reputed companies worldwide.

    Ultimately, completing a UC design internship will open many avenues for your learning and career goals in the always-expanding digital field. With continuous dedication and perseverance, you can carve a successful career in UX design with a proper UX internship.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. Where can I find UI/UX internship opportunities?

    You can find many internship opportunities from various platforms like Glassdoor, Linkedin, etc. Alternatively, you can enroll in any online course to get an internship or placement assistance.

    2. What qualifications do I need for a UI/UX internship?

    You should have a bachelor's degree in various areas like graphic design, interaction design, human-computer interaction, or 3D imaging to be eligible for a UI/UX internship. If you do not have any relevant skills, you can enroll in an online course to get in-depth guidance and placement assistance.

    3. Is it necessary to have a degree in design to get a UI/UX internship?

    Although preferred, few companies hire interns even if they do not have any degree in design. To secure an internship offer, you must have a good portfolio with relevant UX-related working experience.

    Profile

    Sachin Bhatnagar

    Program Director, FSD

    With 20+ yrs of industry experience in media, entertainment and web tech, Sachin brings expertise in hands-on training and developing forward-thinking, industry-centric curricula. 30k+ students have enrolled in his tech courses.

    Share This Article
    Ready to Master the Skills that Drive Your Career?

    Avail your free 1:1 mentorship session.

    Select
    Your Message (Optional)

    Upcoming Web Development Batches & Dates

    NameDateFeeKnow more
    Course advisor icon
    Course Advisor
    Whatsapp/Chat icon