Intern - Color & Material Design

This is a six-month internship at On within the Footwear Colour & Material Design (CMD) team. The team defines the aesthetic, tactile, and visual identity of On's footwear across performance and lifestyle categories, turning seasonal narratives, material innovation, and colour theory into tangible product expressions. The intern will be fully integrated into a dedicated team environment, supporting multiple footwear categories and taking ownership of design projects from concept through to final deliverables.

• Take full ownership of assigned design projects and operational workflows, driving them end-to-end from initial concept and mood boarding through to final milestone deliverables and measurable business impact.
• Partner closely with mentors, cross-functional peers, and regional stakeholders across EMEA to align on shared milestones and execute business priorities.
• Assist with daily team operations, streamline routines, and optimise internal documentation to maintain premium execution standards.
• Present project learnings, campaign outcomes, analytical findings, and conceptual colour and material stories to team leadership and cross-functional milestone meetings using structured storytelling, clear data insights, and impactful presentation decks.
• Support the Colour & Material Design team across multiple footwear categories, flexing across performance and lifestyle verticals according to seasonal needs.
• Create accurate, detailed colour CADs, material maps, and specification packages to guide development and sampling.
• Assist in developing mood boards, trend research decks, and seasonal colour palettes that elevate On's product narratives.
• Produce high-quality 2D/3D visual and digital assets by leveraging the Adobe Creative Suite, 3D visualisation software, and AI design tools.
• Manage day-to-day material and colour library operations, physical swatch organisation, and digital documentation with rigorous attention to detail.
• Lead a self-directed, mutually agreed-upon personal design project, exploring an end-to-end footwear Colour & Material concept from creative research to final execution.

• Hold valid work authorization for Switzerland (or EU/EFTA citizenship).
• Be available to start on 1 March and commit to the full six-month programme.
• Demonstrate a highly self-motivated, proactive, entrepreneurial mindset, with comfort taking initiative, navigating ambiguity, and driving solutions independently across a six-month commitment.
• Be exceptionally organised and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on structured processes.
• Possess clear verbal and written communication skills in English, with confidence to interact, share updates, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across levels.
• Hold an educational background or degree/certification in Colour & Material Design (CMD), Textile Design, Fashion Design, Industrial/Product Design, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Have a trained eye for colour harmony, surface textures, finishes, and tactile material qualities, combined with an understanding of global culture, fashion, and performance sportswear trends.
• Have solid working proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Be highly adaptable and curious, excited to work cross-functionally across multiple product verticals rather than being confined to a single silo.
• Have strong organisational skills to maintain physical swatch libraries, track lab dips/samples, and curate clear palette specifications.
• Have a passion for human movement, performance footwear/apparel, and circular/sustainable material innovation.

• Familiarity with AI visualisation tools is a strong plus.

• Onboarding voucher.
• Exclusive On product store credits to gear up in the latest apparel, accessories, and footwear.
• Full access to mental wellbeing counselling and coaching via Kyan Health.
• Dedicated internship learning sessions and workshops to support growth.
• Comprehensive accident, disability, and income protection coverage.
• A culture that supports rest, recharge, and holistic wellbeing.

We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.