Disney Internship Helps Graphic Design Student Expand Skill Set

Austin Jackson, a Graphic Design student at Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design, spent a semester interning at Walt Disney World. The experience was designed to help him grow his skill set beyond traditional design work.

Jackson worked as a vendor in the Pecos Bill area of Frontierland from January through May. He notes that the internship wasn't about doing day-to-day work, but rather about exposure and networking with the company.

Disney's general program for interns includes career classes and interactions with executives and performers across various Disney brands.

Jackson found that Disney's design process is deliberately collaborative between creatives and park engineers. This requires months of vision boarding and concept reviews to reimagine spaces while managing expectations.