Internships
GENERAL INFO & APPLICATION PROCESS
We are always looking for talented, curious, responsible and flexible students or recent graduates interested in putting their design skills and/or business training into action to support Madda Studio, a small socially responsible textile business. This is an exciting opportunity to significantly contribute to the growth and sustainability of a local economic development project/business impacting families in Oaxaca and Chiapas. Based in Oaxaca, Mexico, we can offer the right candidate the opportunity to implement their skills in all aspects of our socially responsible business from learning the process of natural dyeing, visiting weavers in their homes, to coming up with ways of streamlining the business and production. This is a chance to learn about working respectfully with artisans and developing their traditional skills into contemporary products.
These positions are based in Oaxaca, Mexico and are unpaid internships. If we are able, we can sometimes provide housing, but it is a case by case basis. We are flexible with dates and timing, but generally most successful internships are at least 3-4 months. We have rolling applications, so apply whenever you are able and we will be in touch with you shortly after to determine if you are a good match with our timing and current needs.
Please send your resume and cover letter to studio@maddastudio.com
In your cover letter please include:
Your Name, email, phone number Skype info
The dates you are available to be in Oaxaca and how many hours a week you could work with us
Why you are interested in working with us? Why this position? What do you hope to get out of this internship?
What do you feel you can contribute? What is your relevant experience and skills?
Your resume
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Work with Maddalena as her assistant in the dye kitchen – prep wool and cotton for dyeing, learn about natural dyes and the full cycle of dyeing with plants; organize the studio; keep track of raw material inventory; create yarn samples for marketing, etc.
Assist with our quality control systems and packing orders
Learn and assist Madda with the felting process for our pillow line
Accompany Maddalena to visit weavers and capture key notes and data for our records
Make samples of each design for our design library on our loom in the studio
Help to come up with ways to streamline the production process
OPERATIONS & MARKETING
Draft newsletters about our partners/artisans and activities
Develop our database of contacts/clients
Contribute to brainstorming ideas for marketing projects, activities, and growing the client base
In collaboration with Maddalena and Marie assist with writing, editing, and or/translation of documents, reports, and website content (Spanish to English/English to Spanish)
With Marie and Maddalena, make a social media plan and draft posts for Instagram– set up hoot suite Pinterest etc.
In collaboration with Maddalena, create a binder of designs using Illustrator or other design software
Assist with developing marketing materials
Organize our digital library of images
Research and create a calendar of industry events and trade shows
Research key media outlets for pitching our story to
Research funding opportunities for our wool supply chain development project in Chiapas
IDEAL CANDIDATES QUALITIES
Detail oriented: you pay attention to grammar, punctuation, design, and formatting to ensure consistency on the marketing side; on the production side, you notice the details of seams, color etc.
You have experience in weaving and textile production for the textile internship
Keen eye for design: you have training in design or have a developed eye for design in general and experience and knowledge about textiles and textile design, as well as graphic design.
Strong writer and communicator
Responsible and organized
A problem solver who thinks critically and comes up with creative practical solutions
Strong written and spoken English and Spanish skills (this could be flexible depending on the candidate and the position)
Experience and knowledge of design software (illustrator, indesign etc.)
Flexible and adaptable – things are always changing here!
Appreciation and respect for other cultures, traditions and interest in learning about them
