Internship: Interior

The Interior, Exterior and Color & Material Design teams at Volvo Cars are now recruiting student interns for Autumn 2022.
Deadline to apply is April 30. Applications must be submitted via the online application process, applications sent by email will not be considered. The selection will be decided by mid-May. Those who are interested can apply via these link.

You want to make a difference
Volvo Design offers a contemporary luxury experience that is created around people with strength in every sense. The development of all Volvo products and services must spring from the needs of people and end with their satisfaction. When you are a part of the Design department you are also a part of the experience that they offer to the customers.

What Volvo offer
Design is a crucial part of creating a brand and a product identity for the customer to relate to. The design of our cars is strongly influenced by our Scandinavian origins of elegance, function and the purity of lines as strong design elements. Volvo offer you an exciting challenge in an international and growing company with a strong culture and great development opportunities. You will have the opportunity and responsibility to actively contribute to the growth of their business through people. Volvo is looking for a student intern to join their Interior Design team in Autumn 2022 (August/September to December/January).

What you’ll do
You will be an active part of the interior design team supporting our design vision with 2 missions:

  1. Assistance Design:
    Support mission on ongoing production or concept projects.  Work can range from complete interiors proposals to details such as steering wheel, console, seats, doors and smaller components.
  2. Personal Project:
    Creating an innovative and fresh vision for futuristic products, evolving the Volvo Design language into the next level. This involves conceptual phase, sketching, 3-D modeling and high-quality renderings.

Do you fit the profile?
You must be enrolled as a student at the time of internship and the internship should be requested as a mandatory educational part from a school (university, vocational school, etc.) and have a clear learning content, it is a part of an exam.
We are looking for candidates who are strong team players with great collaboration skills who have the passion, energy and enthusiasm to turn their hand to any number of tasks – you need to be versatile, resourceful and proactive. Social understanding, cultural trends and an emphasis on sustainability is desired. Advanced skills within Adobe CC are required. You need to be inquisitive, structured and be able to present your ideas in a clear and inspirational way using your excellent visual and verbal communication skills.

Additional skills include:
•    Car passion with focus on design
•    Communication skills and ability to work in a group
•    Ability to understand product development process
•    Ability to create internal network
•    Skills within relevant required IT tools/applications
•    English verbal and written

Show, don’t tell 
Applicants must provide a portfolio of work as a PDF or website link.

Who are we?
Volvo Cars is a company on a mission; to bring traditional car manufacturing into a connected, sustainable and smart future. Since 1927, we have been a brand known for our commitment to safety, creating innovative cars that make life less complicated for our consumers. In 2010, we decided to transform our business, resulting in a totally new generation of cars and technologies, as well as steady growth and record sales. Today, we’re expanding our global footprint in Europe, China and the US, and we’re on the lookout for new talent. We are constantly pushing our own skills and abilities to drive change in the automobile industry like never before. We are looking for innovative, committed people to join us in this endeavor and create safe, sustainable and connected cars. We believe in the power of people and will challenge and support you to reach your full potential. Join us and be part of Volvo Cars’ journey into the future.

About Volvo
Volvo Cars is a company on a mission; to bring traditional car manufacturing into a connected, sustainable, and smart future. Since 1927, Volvo have been a brand known for our commitment to safety, creating innovative cars that make life less complicated for their consumers. In 2010, we decided to transform our business, resulting in a totally new generation of cars and technologies, as well as steady growth and record sales. Today, we’re expanding our global footprint in Europe, China and the US, and we’re on the lookout for new talent. We are constantly pushing our own skills and abilities to drive change in the automobile industry like never before. Volvo is looking for innovative, committed people to join them in this endeavor and create safe, sustainable and connected cars. They believe in the power of people and will challenge and support you to reach your full potential. Join them and be part of Volvo Cars’ journey into the future.

MOVEAWARD is a digital platform for students, young graduates and brands to connect.

Looking for an another internship a thesis place or a job at a different brand or industry? Upload your profile to our Talentpool.

IRFENDY MOHAMAD | Winner 2016

Interview with Irfendy Mohamad
Education: MA Transportation Design
How did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?
As a student in Umea Institute of Design, we got notified regularly about design
competitions. I was so motivated to submit my artwork because I wish, I would be
able to build networking among professional designers by sharing my thoughts. Also, the winning for internship offer.
How did the move award influence your career?
Honestly, its support raised value and marketing into my portfolio. Also, I had a great opportunity to compete with other talented designers (art)work from all around the world.
What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?
I built up my design firm by collaborating and partnernering with my clients worldwide related to future mobility and automotive parts. Also, I am working as design contractor in several well-known automotive design studios. My goal is to focus on future manufacturing, new opportunities and a long-term sustainable industry.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in design?
I am very passionate about design, innovation and future mobility. I am eager to be a problem solver for my home based region. For my people, culture and environment, I see a lot of potential by involving in design strategy and design solution for the future.
What is your tip or message for future MOVE candidate’s?
Be an explorer, discover new things, upgrade your expertise and always look for new
potentials that are beneficial to the future society

GAURAV NANDI | Winner 2017

Interview with Gaurav Nandi – won Internship @ Alfa Romeo in 2017
Education: Post Graduate Diploma in Automotive Design from MIT Institute of Design, Pune, India.
How did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?
I came to know about MOVEAWARD through another student(at that time) from another design
college, as he was among the winners and got a chance to do an internship in a prestigious OEM.
hence that inspired me to take part in the competition which helped me to push my skills and
goals and led me to one of the winners in the next year.
How did the move award influence your career?
MOVEAWARD helped me to secure an internship opportunity in Alfa Romeo, having the winner
badge on my CV helped me to attract future job opportunities, moreover, the workhours I put on
the project, moulded me into a better designer which certainly helped me to achieve my goals in
the workplace later in life
What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?
Currently, I work for W-Motors as an automotive Interior Designer, I hope to climb higher in the
automotive design field, contribute my knowledge and skills to companies that can make lives
more pleasant.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in design?
Since I was a kid, I used to get amused by all kinds of vehicles, as a result, I used to sketch
wherever and whenever I could. after I did my bachelors in automotive engineering,
I decided to pursue automotive design to fulfil my childhood passion and dream
What is your tip or message to future MOVE candidate’s?
I would like to say to future MOVE Candidates that to take chances and risk and jump into all kind
of opportunities even if that scares them or uncertain. it not about winning or losing, it’s all about
the competitive mindset and eager to learn and grow, which would for sure help in future in
someway

RICKY KLOOSTERMAN | 2014

Interview with Ricky Kloosterman – Move Award Winner 2014. Won an internship at BMW.
Education: Design Academy EindhovenHow did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?Move awards was an assignment from our academy. It was part of our education and we had to incorporatethisassignment into our trimester. I have to say that my submission was quite out of the box, but that wasexactly what made me stand out of the rest and why I was chosen. I was allowed to go to the Milan for theSalone del mobile to receive my prize and afterthat I got the opportunity to do my internship at BMW.How did the move award influence your career?It was really cool to see how a large company like BMW works, where they get their inspiration from, but alsohow BMW sees the future. Large companies have a major influence on our future. They partly determine whichway we go in society. I always take this vision and the things I learned at BMW with me.What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?I now work as an Interior designer at IKEA. Here too, themes such as to create a better everyday life for themany people and sustainability are big topics. I like to see how big companies are heading in this newinnovative direction.Who or what inspired you to pursue a careerin design?When I won the MOVEAWARDS I also got a subscription on the Stylus website. There are really cool webinarsand blogs on it for inspiration. Furthermore, I sometimes really take the time to go to museums, to Salone delmobile or to the Dutch Design Week. These are events that really give me so much energy and inspiration! AndI also get inspiration from the smallest things in life around my house or in nature.What is your tip or message to future MOVE candidate’s?Be as innovative as possible and think outside the box. The challenges for the future lie only in innovation.Show your craziest ideas, so that we can all get used to them. In a few years’ time, we may not think thesecraziest ideas are such a crazy idea at all and there might be part of your design in one of the new concept cars.Go for it! I am still happy that I was able to do an internship at BMW and that I was able to look behind thescenes! Very greatfull for this opportunity. for more about Ricky Kloosterman go:

FILIP KRÓL | WINNER 2016

Interview with Filip Król – Moveaward Winner 2016. Won an internship at Mercedes.

Education: School of Form Poznań
How did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?
I find MOVEAWARD simple, in internet. My motivation was to get intership in top
brand from the world. I know that this is the best way, to get they key with allow me to
start my carier in automotive industry.
How did the move award influence your career?
MOVEAWARD had a massive impact on my carier, because i get chance to have
intership in Mercedes Benz. After this thing get just simpler.
What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?
What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?
Right now Im interior Designer in Skoda Auto. Who or what inspired you to pursue a
career in design? My grandfather who was in love in the cars, we could spend houers
just speaking about cars, cars industry etc.
What is your tip or message to future MOVE candidate’s? Before my MoveAward trip
start, Zuzanna Skalska said to me. “Filip, sky is the limit” So rule are simple, work
hard and every day try to be better, and your time will come.

MIKKEL BRAND BUGGE | 2015

Interview with Mikkel Brandt Bugge -MOVEAWARD winner 2015. Won an internship at Volvo Design Department in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The MOVE Award for me has been a great contributor to my design career and I am
happy to share my experience with you.

Education: Masters degree in Industrial Design; The Oslo School of Architecture and
Design, Norway / Umea Institute of Design, Sweden.
How did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?
I was introduced to the MOVE award initiative during my studies at UID. My
motivation to participate in the competition was driven by the potential opportunity to
win an entrance ticket to an internship in the automotive industry or the chance to be
noticed and establish an important network.
How did the move award influence your career? I was lucky to get an internship at
Volvo cars in the product brand department. There I got the opportunity to work and
develop within a small experienced team, which warmly included me to their daily
tasks and which helped me gain valuable product design experience from working on
a variety of projects, ranging from brand merchandise, an electrical bicycle concept
or interior detailing concepts for the XC40. In the end, the Volvo internship clearly
boosted my design career and opened doors to job opportunities.
What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future?
At the moment I am working as a senior industrial designer for the home appliance
brand Gaggenau in Munich. My goal for now is to learn by doing and for to the future
to define new goals to reach for.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in design? I grew up in a creative
environment with some family members being designers and architects, they inspired
me to find happiness in creating products and the processes of building things.
Initially, I wanted to be a boat designer, then a car designer, then a tram designer,
currently I´m designing fridges, ovens and dishwashers!
What is your tip or message to future MOVE candidate’s?
When defining your design concept, try to think not only visionary but realistic. e.g.
would you buy your design and would others? what would a realistic price be for your
design? Is it possible to manufacture? Design as a transportation designer, think as
an industrial designer! Go for it and good luck!

Siyuan Fang | Winner 2014

Interview with Siyuan Fang, MOVEAWARD winner 2014. Won an internship at Volvo Design Department in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Education: Master Program of Transportation Design, Umea Institute of Design

How did you find out about MOVEAWARD and what motivated you to apply?

I learned about MOVEAWARD through my professor in school. When browsing its website, I was fascinated by the design brief and the winner’s work. There were wild ideas that push the boundary of mobility in so many ways – new form, function, material, technology and Siy experiences and stories, this uniquely creative platform really intrigued me to be part of it and create something fresh and meaningful. Moreover, it was always my goal as a student to connect and learn with the real industry, and MOVEAWARD is able to provide exactly that pathway, by rewarding student winners with internship opportunities at world-renowned companies, simply mind-blowing prize, I told myself that I must seize it. 

How did the move award influence your career?

MOVEAWARD greatly accelerated my transition from a student to a professional designer, as it gave me a stage to practice my talent, and literally rewarded me with entry tickets to my dream jobs. As one of the winners back in 2014, I very fortunately got the chance to be an intern at Volvo Design, a place that I admire so much, with zero hassle. The internship experience later led to a sponsorship by Volvo on my master thesis project, full supported by the team of experts, I was able to create one of the my proudest work in my life. And shortly after my graduation, I was offered a full-time job at BMW Designworks, as my project aroused their attention. Thanks to MOVEAWARD for the initial push, step by step I eventually became a designer that I dreamt to be.

What is your profession at the moment and what are your goals for the future? 

I am a senior interaction designer at BMW Designworks Los Angeles Studio, focusing on digital experience and mobility service design. The reason I signed up for car industry is to contribute my skills to the ongoing mobility revolution, it is the most meaningful thing for me to try reinventing cars as we know for more than a century, creating much greater benefits to people’s lives, instead of hurting them and the environment.  As a firm believer in digitalization, sustainability and autonomous driving, I would continue to devote myself into these efforts in the foreseeable future,  and leverage my hybrid knowledge between physical car and digital interaction to create more holistic mobility experiences.

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in design?

I’d like name two person here, as they supplemented each other to inspire me with the full picture of design. First one is Chris Bangle, the former design director of BMW. Some of his work, such as BMW Gina, represent the purist form of design – crafting timeless beauty that everyone desires. I had the honor to meet him in person during 2012 Beijing Auto Show, when he was surrounded by students and casually chatting about design. His enduring passion for creativity touched every one of us on the spot and planted a seed in my heart. But design isn’t only about the looks, the second person made that clear to me, Don Norman, one of the great design thinkers in our time, who coined the term “user experience”. His design books and speeches opened a new world for me, where design can be a serious science, to study about user, business, technology and more, designing solutions to solve various problems. From these two person, I saw purity of art and depth of science converging in one discipline, that still captivates me to this day.

What is your tip or message to future MOVE candidate’s?

Everyone has a different design journey, begin with embracing yourself for who you are. Look for things you feel truly passionate about, and learn to design for them with curiosity and care, so you could naturally achieve excellence. Focus on your strength and develop your own unique ideas and skills, standing out from the sea of sameness. Lastly, keep moving with the fast-changing world, breaking out of your comfort zone ever now and then, and adapting yourself to the new normal. More about Siyuan Fang on YouTube: