Walt Disney Animation Studios Product Design Intern, Summer 2027

Walt Disney Animation Studios; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA is seeking a Product Design Intern to work with engineers, PMs, TDs, and artists to translate complex workflows into accessible interfaces during the full product lifecycle.

This 12-week program pairs you with a Disney mentor for hands-on experience in research, prototyping, and design systems, with opportunities to contribute to studio software tools and lead sessions.

Qualifications

• Ability to ideate and test design concepts quickly.
• Collaborate with diverse teams including users and stakeholders.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Experience with interface and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch.
• Portfolio with relevant work projects.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineering teams across the full product development lifecycle.
• Craft experiences and interfaces from copy to motion design and business impact.
• Participate in or lead user research sessions.
• Create journey maps and process diagrams to visualize complex workflows.
• Participate in design critique sessions with peers and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the internal design system ensuring consistency across studio tools.

Skills

Ideation

Cross-functional work

User research

Communication

Documentation

Prototyping tools

Portfolio

Education

Design/HCI/Psychology major

Tools

Figma

Sketch

Job description

Job Requirements About the Role & Team

As a Walt Disney Animation Studios Technology Intern, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a Disney mentor while exploring all aspects of technology in relation to filmmaking. This immersive program offers hands‑on experience focused on individual craft and multidisciplinary team collaboration. Learn more about our filmmaking process here .

The Product Design team at Walt Disney Animation Studios closely collaborates with Engineers, Project Managers, Technical Directors, Artists, and other stakeholders to take on complex workflows and break them down into simple, elegant solutions for users within Walt Disney Animation Studios.

What You Will Do

As a Product Design Intern, you’ll employ strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities and will need to effectively articulate design rationale visually, orally, and in writing. Critical to success will be the ability to build relationships with technical and non-technical users to understand their needs. Through independent analysis and judgment, the Product Design Intern will deliver relevant solutions leveraging various user research methodologies, design tools, and prototyping techniques.

Projects Include

• Work with engineering teams across the full product development lifecycle: from early discovery phases to software implementation
• Craft experiences and interfaces: from copy to motion design to business impact
• Participating in or leading user research sessions
• Create journey maps and process diagrams to visualize complex technical workflows, helping stakeholders identify key areas for improvement.
• Participate in, or lead, design critique sessions with peers and stakeholders to gather feedback and refine concepts.
• Contribute to the internal design system ensuring consistency and efficiency across studio software tools.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Ability to rapidly ideate and test design concepts and prototypes
• Ability to collaborate with team members across different disciplines, including directly interfacing with users & stakeholders to understand requirements
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong documentation skills
• Experience with interface and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch
• Portfolio including case studies of relevant work professional or school projects
• A passion for technology, animation, and storytelling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with business to business (B2B) or enterprise software design
• Experience with designing for accessibility and knowledge of accessibility standards such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Experience with software development frameworks and programming languages such as Javascript (React/Vue.js), C++ and Python
• Interest in animation, film, or games

Education

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college/university with a major in Design, Architecture, Human Computer Interaction or Psychology or a related field.
• At the time of application, must be enrolled in an accredited college/university taking at least one class in the semester/quarter (spring/fall) prior to participation in the internship program AND returning to school the semester/quarter following the internship OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age

Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program Possess unrestricted work authorization Location: Burbank, CA Program Length: June 7, 2027 - August 27, 2027 (12 weeks)

Fully available from M-F, PST for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week Able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Los Angeles, CA area.

Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work.

Additional Information: This posting represents an expression of interest for various roles within Walt Disney Animation Studios' technical teams. By applying, you will be considered for multiple opportunities that match your skills and interests. At Walt Disney Animation Studios, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where all voices are valued. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, to apply.

At Walt Disney Animation Studios, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where all voices are valued. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans, to apply.

Pay transparency

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, CA is $39.00 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. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here.

Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Disability accommodation for employment applications

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. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs . We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.