News & Events
News & Events
KIDP calls for companies to participate in the Global Design Internship Program 2025
- Application Deadline: 21 March 17:00 KST
Global Design Internship(GDI) is an internship program funded and supported by the Korean government and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP). Our goal is to provide young and competent Korean designers an international and multi-cultural working/learning experience at design consultancies, in-house design teams, or start-ups outside Korea.
* The Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) is a non-profit organization affiliated to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Korean industries and to improve the quality of people's lives through promoting a better use of design.
In 2024, we successfully supported 102 internships at 65 companies in 15 countries. This year, GDI is prepared to fund and support Korean entry-level designers for a global internship opportunity.
★★★Why GDI?★★★
Matching of Qualified Design Interns
KIDP will match adequate design interns that best match your business needs. Potential design interns will go through a screening process of 2 stages (preliminary + English proficiency) both overseen by KIDP. You will be provided with a pool of candidates that have passed both screening stages to choose from.
Financial Support by KIDP
KIDP will support companies and interns alike throughout the internship program to achieve maximum impact while saving your time and effort. Selected interns will be provided with a financial package that differs according to their internship track: travel & living expenses for on-site internships and a virtual internship package of working space, compensation and/or design tools for virtual internships. Interns will also be provided with mentoring sessions and educational programs when needed.
Find Your Next Designer!
Korean designers have been known for their sophisticated design techniques.
But recently, more and more companies are focusing on the creative aspects of their skills.
And by expanding the value of K-Creative, Korea has developed a soft power that is changing the trend of the global market. Participating companies from around the globe will have the opportunity to work with enthusiastic design interns who will help pave the way into the Korean market, which plays a major role as an economic hub for Asia.
You will also be able to diversify your design team(s) and find THE designer for your company.
Comments from GDI Participants (Interns)
"GDI opened a path for me to work overseas, and I gained some confidence that I could work abroad. I got practical work experience in the field I wanted, and also indirectly experienced the industry and the ways of the actual professionals."
"GDI was a meaningful learning experience. I learned things that can only be experienced at a design agency, such as how to approach concept planning and design, and how to communicate with clients, developers, and stakeholders. Furthermore, gaining project experience across a variety of industries helped me understand what I valued, what job I wanted, what my strengths were, and what interests me."
"The experience as a foreigner working in a foreign country, gaining a more global perspective, and practical work experience in that setting was a critical gain. It was a chance to look into a company’s culture and work process, broadening my thoughts on overseas employment. I plan to use my GDI experience to springboard into more overseas job opportunities."
"The overseas internship helped me gain a more global perspective in solving problems at the project level. The company’s global culture and the cross-border sensibilities of my co-workers shed light on my narrower perspective. The company culture of willing engagement of diverse opinions, as well as openness to other cultures, made me reflect on my project communication skills, and to take better positions to think and act with greater initiative."
★★★Program Brief ★★★
Application Deadline: March 21, 2025 (17:00 KST)
1. Eligibility
● Design consultancies, in-house design teams, start-ups, design organizations, etc. willing to offer internships to Korean designers
● Design Field: All fields of design
2. Internship Period
● Up to 4 months until November 2025
3. Internship Type
● On-site internship: The intern designer stays and works in the company's region.
● Virtual internship: Internships that are done remotely. (Interns are placed and work in Korea)
4. What are the benefits supported by KIDP?
● Matching of qualified Korean design interns
● Financial Support from KIDP
** For interns we provide:
- Onsite Internship: Round-trip air flight, insurance(illness&accident), living expenses, visa application (if necessary), mentoring sessions
- Virtual Internship: per diem allowance, mentoring sessions, work space in a shared office
5. Documents to be submitted
● Application form: Company profile, Introduction of company
● Job Description: Preferred number of interns, Preferred design field, Internship type, etc.
6. The Process (Please see attached)
Apply: Registration through Google link and submit the application via e-mail
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Review: (By KIDP) Document Review on Company identity, working conditions, position, etc.
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Evaluation: (By KIDP) Evaluation of the adequacy of the company based on application document reviews
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Participation confirmed: Finalize the selection of participating companies, and proceed with the agreement.
7. How to apply (Please see attached)
Application Via online (https://intern.kidp.or.kr/)
● Create a new account and Login the website as a companies overseas
● Click “Application”
★Deadline:
March 21, 2025 (17:00 KST)
★Contact:
Ms. MiJin Song
Program Manager / Korea Institute of Design Promotion
E. designinternship@kidp.or.kr