Role
Design Intern.
Timeline
A semester long internship.
Skills
Variant and style libraries and responsive design in Figma.
The Overview
Designing with guidance: building real-world systems while learning alongside industry professionals
During the Fall 2026 semester of my senior year at Kennesaw State University, I had the opportunity to work as a UX/UI design intern with Arke Systems. In this role, I collaborated with a team of senior-level designers who introduced me to their design processes across a variety of projects and provided valuable mentorship as I applied and expanded my own skills.
This experience was especially impactful because it came at a time when many professionals and students were newly exploring Figma’s variant libraries. As a student, variants were still a new concept to me, and I had the unique opportunity to learn alongside experienced designers as they implemented these systems in a real-world context.
During my time at Arke, I primarily focused on a website redesign project for the Children’s Hospital Association. I contributed to the development of a variant and style library, helping establish consistency across components and layouts. I met weekly with a senior designer, Ashley, who guided my work, provided feedback, and supported the evolution of the system.
Beyond my design contributions, I also participated in company-wide events and team meetings, where I was able to observe professional workflows, contribute to discussions, and gain a deeper understanding of collaborative design in practice.
*Note: Due to project confidentiality at Arke I am unable to share images of the work I completed here. I am happy to set up a time to chat about the project and what I accomplished in a one-on-one meeting!
My Impact
During my time at Arke, I…
Designed a fully functioning typography variable system. In collaboration with Ashley, I identified and organized common typography styles into a structured set of variables. I removed unused styles and refined inconsistencies, resulting in a more cohesive system that was ultimately applied across responsive layouts.
Developed a comprehensive color system and palettes. Using Arke’s guidelines and the Children’s Hospital Association’s brand guide, I created a complete color palette style guide along with a corresponding variable library organized by page depth. This foundation ensured the palette could be seamlessly implemented in later stages of the final prototype..
Implemented responsive sizing variables across the component system. As a final task, I applied Arke’s desktop and mobile spacing guidelines to establish responsive padding variables throughout the component system. This improved overall consistency, scalability, and uniformity across all components.
Reflections
Growth comes with time and dedication.
This internship was detail-oriented and paced perfectly for an entry-level designer. I was introduced to working within a large-scale design system and given the resources and support needed to grow and adapt quickly. I’m truly grateful for this experience and for the mentorship I received at Arke.
This internship taught me:
Detail takes time. Working within a large-scale system required a high level of precision and patience. Compared to the fast-paced design sprints I was used to in class, this project moved more deliberately—but with far greater depth and complexity.
Digital is always developing. I joined the team during a transition period as they adapted their system to incorporate Figma’s newly introduced variables. It showed me firsthand that design systems are never static. They continuously grow and evolve alongside new tools and standards.
Don’t be afraid to ask. At first, joining a team that had worked together for years felt intimidating, and I hesitated to ask questions or share ideas. Over time, speaking up strengthened my confidence, contributed to the project in meaningful ways, and helped push the work further.