LaunchPad Summer Cohort
Some internships make copies. Ours make brands. LaunchPad puts student designers in the driver’s seat, working with real clients on real projects — and the results speak for themselves.
At Mertz Design Studio, we believe the best way to learn design isn’t in a classroom — it’s by doing the real thing. That’s why we created LaunchPad, our hands-on program that pairs student designers with small businesses to tackle real projects, real deadlines, and real challenges. It’s not about “practice work” or hypothetical briefs. These students are leading presentations, collaborating directly with clients, and delivering creative solutions that make an impact.
The magic of LaunchPad is in the win-win. Small businesses get access to fresh, innovative thinking (at a budget they can manage), and students build portfolios filled with professional-level work before graduation. Along the way, they learn how to navigate feedback, manage timelines, and think strategically, all with the support of Mertz’s team of seasoned designers as mentors. After another incredible round of projects, we’re taking a moment to look back, celebrate the work, and share the lessons we’ve learned from this year’s cohort.
“Being part of the Launchpad program at Mertz Design Studio has immensely contributed to my growth as a designer and visual communicator. As this was my first internship, I felt quite nervous, especially since most of my previous experience was in publication design and marketing. I wanted to learn and understand branding more deeply.
Through my time at Mertz, I gained exposure to a wide range of design fields, including branding, environmental design, digital marketing, and much more. The Launchpad program has not only given me confidence in my abilities but has also provided valuable feedback and support from the team when I needed it. Having such a supportive team made me feel included and valued, which helped ease my nerves.
Additionally, Mertz empowered me to take ownership of each project I worked on. This experience helped prepare me for the real world by teaching me to consider how clients feel, prepare for presentations, communicate effectively with clients, and utilize feedback to execute their vision. All of these elements were part of the learning process, and through Launchpad, I was able to learn them all."
- Gwyneth Shoemaker | Graphic Design Intern
“The list of positive things I can say about Mertz is endless, but to highlight: From day one, I always felt welcomed to be inquisitive, ask questions and explore new things - in and out of LaunchPad work. This is because of the welcoming and open environment that everyone created. Something beautiful about the team foundation at Mertz is that there is no room for big egos. We are all working together to make great things happen for people with big hopes and dreams and at the end of the day, that is the goal we all share. Over the course of this program, it was made clear to me that Mertz puts a lot of thought and care into the well-being of clients, the internal team and anyone else they work with no matter how “big” or “small” a project may be - every relationship is important.
My time at Mertz has been an eye-opening journey like nothing I have experienced before. The encouraging environment and motivating projects have given me new skills that will take me far! The LaunchPad program has encouraged learning to be more hands-on throughout the end-to-end design process, which is more than what I could ask for in the Summer 2025 semester. Any experiences that I felt I previously lacked, I made up for while working at Mertz.”
- Anna Ndoye | Graphic Design Intern
“My time at Mertz Design Studio was more than just two co-op semesters, it was some of the most formative moments of my education as a graphic design student. Before becoming a part of the team at Mertz, I had barely stepped foot into the world of packaging design and brand identity. Now, through the opportunities of the LaunchPad program, I have grown in both confidence to talk about my work, and in skills to execute both my design intention and a client’s vision.
The LaunchPad program is unique in it’s ability to allow students to be fully part of the design process— from direct client communication and presentation, to creative leadership and execution, I was involved in every step. A standout experience through the LaunchPad Program is the Brand Archetypes workshop that was conducted with a client. Here, both client and designers are able to work through the emotions, appeal, and voice of the brand identity. As a student, it was a very impactful exercise to not only better understand the intent, tone, and feel of the brand identity, but also to push human based design thinking into the work. In a world with the fast-paced, ever-changing AI, it is now more important than ever to find ways to include thoughtful, grounded, and human made design. If it weren’t for such a hands on experience Mertz Design Studio and the LaunchPad program provides, for both student and client, I would not be the designer I am today.”
- Lauren Nessif | Graphic Design Intern
LaunchPad is made possible by the talent, dedication, and curiosity that our students bring to the program. A huge shoutout to our amazing LaunchPad team!
Check out their work and follow along on their professional journeys below:
Gwyneth Shoemaker | www.gs442022.myportfolio.com
Anna Ndoye | www.ndoyea3.myportfolio.com
Lauren Nessiff | www.laurennessiff.myportfolio.com
