“The reality is different when they enter the industry.” How Singapore’s Fable approach internships

The design studios we speak to, as well as the wider design community, are always eager and proactive to give back to younger generations. The most likely and common form of this is through internships – even a global lockdown didn’t hold studios back! From remote work to in-studio immersion, studio leaders are considerate about curating the most beneficial experience for both the intern and the team itself. Sharing his thoughts and feelings about industry internships, alongside their own processes for pay, projects and personality-matching, is Fable’s Jiahui Tan. Internships, he believes, “allow structured growth on a real playing field, which in my opinion is crucial to the advancement of an aspiring creative.” Located in Singapore, award-winning design consultancy Fable maintain excellent ties with design schools, giving students a chance to reach out for potential placements. And when it comes to accepting prospective interns, “we have always made it a point not to look at the grades of the applicants,” Tan explains. “Instead, we shortlist them based on suitability of skillsets.” Being a small team, personal compatibility is vital, so applicants are invited to an in-person interview to gauge their personality. This gives Tan the opportunity to explain the structure further, being “very clear that interns do work closely with everyone” for their client projects.