Motion Design Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide
Motion design internships offer invaluable opportunities to budding designers, providing a crucial bridge between academic learning and the professional world. These internships allow students and recent graduates to apply their design knowledge, gain practical experience, and develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Let's explore the requirements, expectations, and benefits of motion design internships, drawing from various perspectives and examples.
Introduction: The Value of Motion Design Internships
An internship expands your educational experience into the professional world of design, increasing your chances of securing a professional position in your chosen field. Students should try to gain professional work experience early and often, beyond the requirement. The more students understand the role of the designer in the work environment, the more they can leverage their learning. Motion design internships are particularly valuable, offering hands-on experience in a rapidly evolving field.
Core Requirements and Eligibility
Academic Standing
Many motion design internship programs are tailored for students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs. Some programs also consider recent college graduates. For instance, CCA’s Communication Design internship program is only open to students currently enrolled at California College of the Arts. To be eligible, students must have successfully completed all required Level 3 courses at CCA. Students who intern before they complete their required Level 3 courses may not use the experience for credit.
Portfolio Submission
A portfolio is often a critical requirement for motion design internship applications. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered for this position. The portfolio should showcase a range of design projects, demonstrating the applicant's skills in animation, video editing, 3D design, and other relevant areas. The quality and creativity of the portfolio are key factors in the selection process.
Technical Proficiency
Interns are generally expected to have a basic knowledge of industry-standard software and hardware. Knowledge of programs, apps, and hardware is necessary. This typically includes Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and potentially other tools depending on the specific role.
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Availability and Work Schedule
Internship programs often have specific requirements regarding availability and work schedule. Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship. For example, some internships may require full-time availability during specific dates. The approximate dates of this internship are January 2026 through June 2026. Fully available from Monday through Friday, 10am to 7pm PT for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week.
Program Structure and Expectations
Project Involvement
Motion design interns often work on a variety of projects, ranging from small tasks to collaborative efforts on larger campaigns. You will later work on smaller projects and collaborate with your project group, which is normally comprised of a Vice President, Producer, Creative Director, Art Director, Senior Designer, and a designer and/or an animator. The scope of work can include creating marketing spots, online content, digital assets, and more.
Team Collaboration
Collaboration is a key aspect of many motion design internships. You will kick off your day by attending our department check in meetings to share insights into projects, artist availabilities, cool and innovative spots, and social events. Interns are expected to work closely with other designers, art directors, producers, and other team members.
Learning Objectives
Internships are structured to provide valuable learning experiences. After securing an intern position at an approved internship site, students must log a minimum of 150 hours at the site. The internship counts for two credits and is generally completed during the summer between junior and senior year. As part of the internship, students often work with their supervisors to define learning objectives and expectations. After an internship offer is made, students work with their site supervisor to complete the Learning Agreement found in the Graphic Design Internships Moodle site; negotiating the terms, learning objectives, and expectations of the internship.
Compensation
Compensation is a mandatory requirement of our internship program. Unpaid internships devalue the contributions of our students; beyond school, unpaid work is not a sustainable model for professional graphic designers. The pay rate for this role in California is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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Key Skills and Responsibilities
Executing Motion Design Projects
A primary responsibility of a motion design intern is to execute motion design projects from conception, design, through execution. This involves bringing abstract concepts to life through animation, video editing, 3D, and augmented reality.
Producing Deliverables
Interns are expected to produce deliverables for online and multimedia platforms. This includes creating assets for digital campaigns, social media content, and video productions.
Understanding Business Strategies
Understanding IBM’s business strategies and goals. Interns should strive to understand the company's objectives and how their work contributes to achieving those goals.
Applying Design Principles
The right candidate should have conceptual skills with identity systems, and experience working across media. Work will include a range of assets and projects, including online, digital, data visualization, print, social, video, and events. Interns are expected to apply design principles to create visually appealing and effective motion graphics. The professional must have a strong attention towards strategic, simple, smart design, and a keen eye for a modernist approach to typography and information design.
Examples of Internship Opportunities
FX Networks Motion Design & VFX Internship
FX Networks, LLC PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This internship focuses on creating marketing spots for FX produced shows, collaborating with the Content and Editorial team. The intern will report directly to the Creative Director of Motion & Content Design. If you are an innovative thinker and have a desire to learn and grow as a designer, then this Motion Designer & VFX role is for you!
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IBM Marketing Internship
As an IBM Marketing Intern, you’ll work collaboratively, driving work that addresses a strategic business challenge facing our team: helping to turn our vast collection of content into an easily understandable system that supports our visitors’ key needs. The motion designer role supports our internal creative team, Blue Studio, which is responsible for the strategic evolution and expression of the IBM brand across every experience and encounter, internally and externally.
Video Production Internship
As a Motion Design Intern, you’ll assist in creating compelling video content that helps our clients connect with and influence their audience. This internship requires someone with a passion for creating compelling video content and animation skills using their design knowledge to bring an idea to life. You’ll spend your days in Adobe After Effects, working on your own and assisting on assigned projects and paying close attention to detail - making sure pre-established templates are used properly, files are tidy and your edits are client-ready.
Securing an Internship and Post-Internship Procedures
Site Approval
Prior to starting work, students must obtain site approval from the program’s Internship Coordinator. Early verification of the internship site is critical to obtaining credit for the internship, especially if the site is located outside of the United States. To receive credit for internships located outside of the United States, obtaining site approval from the Internship Coordinator is required. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed. Site approval is based upon the quality of learning experience the internship site will provide as well as the kind of work students will be asked to produce.
Documentation and Evaluation
Post-InternshipStudents should use the Communication Design Internships Moodle site to track their internship hours on an Internship Hours Log, submit an Internship Reflection document, and send their supervisor a digital evaluation form.
The Broader Context: Diversity and Inclusion
FX Networks, LLC PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. At Disney, we are committed to creating a better world. A world of belonging where each person feels seen, heard, and understood.
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