Ruminate is looking for a Mobile Game Design Intern

What is Ruminate?

Part innovation lab. Part think tank. Ruminate is a nonprofit using design thinking and behavioral science to co-create projects, products, and programs with communities of food leaders—all to support the spread of equitable, ethically, and environmentally sustainable food. Ruminate is a nonprofit based in Grand Rapids, MI, Santa Fe, NM, and Boston, MA.

What is the Project?

We combine the science of quantitative data and measurable impact with the qualitative wisdom of the food community to break down tough problems and find effective solutions to today’s food systems issues. At this phase, we are building our storyboards to a visual presentation of gameplay as part of a video presentation.

We are working to create an interactive video game with a focus on obesity prevention and weight control for girls. Our game is a rhythm/tower defense hybrid game where girls will battle ‘monsters’ who personify symptoms (e.g. anxiety or a fever) of everyday real-life scenarios while building healthy plates to feed their army of ‘heroes’—five personified versions of balanced lifestyle choices: exercise, hydration, balanced diet, stress management, and sleep.

We are a close team, we love what we do, and we believe in what we are building. If you are interested in working within the game design space and encouraging positive behavior change, come build something awesome with us. Our team will be there to give feedback and share our experiences. There are no coffee runs, copy making or busywork. This internship is a challenge. Come build with us.

How is the Internship Structured?

Ruminate is looking for an enthusiastic and artistic individual to work directly with its Creative team as a Graphic Design Intern. Ruminate prides itself on using art and design as a medium for change—making information easier to understand, relatable, and actionable.

This is an approximately 20 hour per week position. The internship reports to Ruminate’s Creative Director who will provide regular feedback and guidance and who will also teach the intern new tricks and skills according to their professional development goals. Internship is available on an unpaid basis. Academic credit is available.

Important Things to Know

• We are looking for graduate-level students, in an illustration, animation, motion graphics, video production, or a related field of study

• Good knowledge of using Gdocs and other Google products. (A Gmail or Google account will be required.)

• Experience with motion graphics and motion graphics software (Adobe Premiere, After Effects, etc.)

• Passion for quality and thoughtful UI design, and impactful UX design

• This is a remote internship. You will be chatting with others on the team online, and there will be discussions and forums on game design, but you will need to be able to work independently and know how to motivate yourself.

What is the Time Commitment?

Your hours will be flexible, but we expect a minimum of 15-20 hours a week's time commitment to qualify as an “active” week (and you can take breaks when needed for finals, family, travel, etc.) which will be “non-active” weeks. The internship is successfully completed after logging in 12-14 active weeks.

How Can You Apply?

If interested, please contact Ryan Kaminski-Killiany, Ruminate Creative Director, and include portfolio examples: ryan@letsruminate.org