Breaking into the world of product design can feel overwhelming without the right experience or connections. That’s where product design apprenticeships come in. These structured, real-world learning programs offer hands-on training, mentorship, and a chance to build a strong portfolio—all while working alongside experienced design teams. Whether you’re a recent graduate or making a career switch, a product design apprenticeship can be a powerful stepping stone to success.
What Is a Product Design Apprenticeship?
A product design apprenticeship is a temporary role—typically lasting 3 to 12 months—that allows emerging designers to learn from seasoned professionals while contributing to real projects. Apprentices are usually paid and often considered for full-time roles after the program ends.
Unlike traditional internships, apprenticeships usually include formal training, clear learning objectives, and dedicated mentorship. These programs are designed to help you build essential skills in areas like user experience (UX), user interface (UI), user research, wireframing, prototyping, and more.
Benefits of a Product Design Apprenticeship
Product design apprenticeships offer more than just job shadowing—they are immersive, career-launching experiences. Here’s what makes them valuable:
- Real-World Experience: Apprentices work on actual design projects that contribute to the company’s product goals.
- Mentorship Opportunities: You’ll learn from seasoned designers who can offer guidance, feedback, and industry insights.
- Portfolio Development: By the end of the program, you’ll have strong case studies that reflect real design challenges and solutions.
- Career Advancement: Apprenticeships often serve as a stepping stone to full-time positions, either at the host company or elsewhere.
- Industry Exposure: You’ll gain experience working with cross-functional teams like product managers, engineers, and researchers.
Top Companies Offering Product Design Apprenticeships
Many top tech and design-forward companies now offer apprenticeship programs specifically designed to nurture the next generation of product designers. These apprenticeships are highly competitive but provide excellent opportunities to learn, grow, and gain real industry experience. Below are some of the most respected companies offering product design apprenticeships:
1. Figma Design Apprenticeship
Figma offers a 12-week design apprenticeship aimed at developing early-career designers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Based either remotely or in their San Francisco office, this program places apprentices on real product teams where they work on features, design systems, and user experience improvements. Figma’s collaborative environment and mentorship-focused structure make it ideal for those looking to break into tech design.
2. Google UX Design Apprenticeship
Google’s UX Design Apprenticeship is a highly structured 20-month program designed to provide foundational skills in UX research, prototyping, and product strategy. It combines classroom learning with practical, on-the-job experience in multiple Google teams. This program is particularly well-suited for those without a traditional college degree but with a strong interest in UX and digital design.
3. Airbnb Design Internship/Apprenticeship
Airbnb frequently offers internships and apprenticeships within its design department, giving participants an opportunity to work on user-facing features and help shape the Airbnb experience. These roles are typically located in San Francisco and are open to students, recent graduates, and self-taught designers. Apprentices are paired with mentors and work alongside cross-functional teams to deliver real product improvements.
4. IBM Design Apprenticeship
IBM’s Design Apprenticeship is a 6–12 month program that recruits career-switchers, veterans, and non-traditional designers. Apprentices receive training in IBM’s Enterprise Design Thinking approach and participate in real enterprise and consumer product design projects. The program is available globally and emphasizes both hard skills and soft skills such as collaboration and storytelling.
5. Spotify Design Internship
Spotify offers a competitive design internship that closely mirrors the structure of an apprenticeship. Participants spend 10–12 weeks working on product features alongside Spotify’s design team. The program includes internal workshops, mentorship sessions, and hands-on design work. Available in New York, Stockholm, or remotely, this program is an excellent choice for designers seeking experience at a fast-moving tech company.
How to Land a Product Design Apprenticeship
Breaking into these programs is competitive, but not impossible. Here are a few tips to help you stand out:
- Build a strong portfolio—even if it includes personal, academic, or speculative projects
- Customize your resume and application to each company
- Write a thoughtful cover letter that expresses your passion for design and your interest in the company
- Connect with current or former apprentices on LinkedIn for advice or referrals
- Continue learning through online courses, certifications, or design challenges to stay sharp
Conclusion
Product design apprenticeships are more than just a foot in the door—they are a launchpad for a meaningful, sustainable design career. They combine mentorship, real-world experience, and career-building support into one powerful opportunity.
Whether you’re aiming for a spot at a tech giant or a design-driven startup, the experience you gain through an apprenticeship can set you apart in a competitive job market. Start exploring programs today, and take that first confident step toward becoming a professional product designer.
Key Takeaways:
- Product design apprenticeships provide hands-on, real-world experience for aspiring designers, often with paid opportunities and structured mentorship.
- These programs are ideal for recent graduates, career-switchers, and self-taught designers seeking industry exposure and portfolio development.
- Apprenticeships focus on skill-building in UX, UI, research, prototyping, collaboration, and product thinking.
- Key benefits include working on real projects, receiving guidance from experienced mentors, improving your design portfolio, and increasing your chances of full-time employment.
- Top companies offering product design apprenticeships include Figma, Google, Airbnb, IBM, and Spotify.
- These programs are competitive but valuable, often combining classroom instruction with real design work across product teams.
- To land an apprenticeship, candidates should build a strong portfolio, tailor applications, network with past apprentices, and continue learning through online resources or personal projects.
- A product design apprenticeship is a powerful launchpad toward a successful career in design, offering exposure, experience, and mentorship in a professional environment.
Consider taking the Parsons Product Design Essentials online course and certificate program offered by Yellowbrick to further enhance your skills and excel in the dynamic field of product design.
