Designing Across Cultures: An ETBD student’s international internship in Japan
Designing Across Cultures: An ETBD student’s international internship in Japan
Kalli Vintzel spent the summer in Tokyo, Japan, as a graphic design intern and intern team lead at X-Vision, a company specializing in LED displays, digital signage, and immersive visual experiences. Through her internship, she applied skills from Miami University’s Emerging Technology in Business and Design (ETBD) program to real-world design projects while gaining international experience and exploring how design and technology connect people across cultures.
What projects or responsibilities did you work on during your internship, and what skills from ETBD did you use in your work?
My primary responsibilities were making graphics and animations for LED displays, presentation materials, product manuals, onboarding guides, and branding. One of my main projects was creating digital signage for our LED installations at Apéro, a wine shop in Tokyo. I also helped develop the visual identity for VIN NOVA, a wine catering collaboration between Apéro and X-Vision. I applied skills from ETBD by using programs such as After Effects, Illustrator, and TouchDesigner, along with principles of graphic design, motion design, branding, and UX design. These skills helped me create visuals that were not only engaging but also clear, functional, and appropriate for different audiences, screen formats, and physical spaces.
What was it like working in Japan and adapting to a different workplace culture? Was there anything about the experience that surprised you?
Working in Japan was very different from working in the United States, especially because there are many cultural nuances within Japanese business culture. I learned details such as the proper way to greet clients, exchange business cards, and use Japanese honorifics respectfully. At the same time, my experience was unique because X-Vision is a startup located in a shared office space, so the workplace culture was more relaxed and collaborative than I initially expected.
I was especially grateful that the team valued my work as an intern and encouraged me to share my opinions on creative direction. Because it was a startup, projects were not always highly structured, but that taught me how to take initiative, adapt quickly, and become more confident making decisions independently. What surprised me most was how welcoming everyone was and how willing they were to teach me about Japanese culture while also showing genuine interest in learning about mine.
How did interning internationally change or expand your perspective on your field and the type of career you want to pursue?
Interning internationally expanded my perspective by showing me how many different career paths and opportunities exist within the design field. Working in Japan helped me see how design can connect people across different languages and cultural backgrounds, especially when creating visual experiences for international audiences. It also taught me the importance of being adaptable and considering how culture can influence the way people interpret and interact with design.
This experience encouraged me to look for future positions that may allow me to work abroad, collaborate with international clients, or be part of a team with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It also strengthened my interest in pursuing a career that combines graphic design, motion design, and interactive or experiential technology. Overall, the internship showed me that I want a career where I can continue learning from new people, places, and cultures while creating work that brings together both design and technology.
How did your experience in Japan help you grow as an ETBD student and prepare you for your future career?
My experience in Japan helped me grow as an ETBD student by allowing me to apply creative, technical, and business skills that I learned in class, in a professional setting. It taught me how to balance creative ideas with real-world limitations, solve unfamiliar problems, and understand how a project develops from an initial concept to its final installation. Serving as the intern team lead also strengthened my communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. Overall, the experience made me more confident and prepared for a career that combines design, technology, and business.