BMW Designworks x LA Tech Rising Internship
Paid, 6-week hybrid creative internship in Santa Monica for LA County creatives (18–24) reimagining Route 66 with BMW Designworks mentors.
12405 Venice Blvd. #125, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Summer cohort only. Summer applications open in April; program runs June – July, with Final Showcase in July.
No experience required
Program Philosophy
Autonomous vehicles, mobility, and placemaking are reshaping how cities work — but access to careers in design and innovation often depends on networks early-career creatives don't have. This internship was built to give LA County's emerging creative talent direct studio experience at BMW Designworks, working alongside professional designers, researchers, and strategists. By pairing paid project-based work on real design challenges with mentorship and a final public showcase, the program creates a tangible bridge from creative interest into careers in design, mobility, and future-focused innovation.
Started in 2025
Visit program website
LA County creatives 18–24 interested in design, urban planning, architecture, or storytelling
20–30 hours per week for 6 weeks. In-person studio days at BMW Designworks Santa Monica on Mondays and Tuesdays (times TBD), with additional remote/hybrid project work the remainder of the week. Culminates in a Final Showcase July 24, 2026.
Studio portfolio, BMW Designworks mentorship, paid creative experience, and final showcase
Cost & Outcomes
This program is completely free for all participants. Starting day one of this 6 week program, participants are paid $17.87/hour for 20–30 hours per week.
Who This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
Paid creative internship in a professional BMW Designworks studio environment
Direct mentorship from BMW Designworks industry professionals
Studio-based, project-driven work on a real-world brief (2026 theme: Route 66 / Future of Mobility)
Final Showcase presentation at BMW Designworks in Santa Monica
Exclusive opportunity for LA County residents
Paid through LA County's Youth@Work Program
Day in the Life
- Studio sessions at BMW Designworks Santa Monica on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Team-based project work on the 2026 Route 66 design brief (mobility, storytelling, placemaking, tourism)
- 1:1 and group mentorship from BMW Designworks designers, researchers, and strategists
- Concept development, critique, and iteration cycles
- Preparation for the Final Showcase July 24 at BMW Designworks
Industry mentorship provided by BMW Designworks professional designers, researchers, and strategists working in a high-performance creative studio environment.
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
Highs & Lows
Adjusting to a real studio culture — pacing, expectations, and professional norms feel unfamiliar. Students often face commute challenges getting to the studios in Santa Monica. Limited accessibility to AI tools may also be a challenge.
Interns work inside an actual world-class design studio in LA (a real industry environment most students never access). Themes are tied to high-profile real-world moments: "2028 LA in Motion" in 2025, "Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66" in 2026. The final showcase is a live audience pitch — a genuine portfolio-building and confidence moment. Interns get exposure to systems thinking, design research, and storytelling in a studio culture context.
Employment Support
1:1 mentorship from BMW Designworks professionals
Studio critique and iteration on real design challenges
Portfolio development through project work
Final Showcase presentation to BMW Designworks teams and guests
Exposure to careers in design, mobility, and innovation
Pathway connections to LA-Tech.org's broader employer network
How It Works
Submit application at LA-Tech.org with resume and short video response
Application reviewed by the LA-Tech.org Recruitment Team
Interviews may be requested to determine finalists
Finalists selected and notified
Accepted participants receive an offer with program dates
Pre-program onboarding including paperwork for the Youth@Work Program
Program begins June 15, 2026