Signal Theory Resonance Scholarship Gives Karl Washington III Confidence to Create

As a student, breaking into the advertising industry can be intimidating. Great work surrounds you everywhere you look, and all you want is to play a role in creating it. That was Karl Washington III's mindset in 2024.

That year, Washington, who studies animation at the Kansas City Art Institute, applied for Signal Theory’s Resonance Scholarship. The scholarship, active from 2021 to 2024 in partnership with The BrandLab, awarded funding and a paid internship to students from underrepresented backgrounds via an application and interview process. 

Facing several industry professionals, Washington lost his footing partway through his scholarship interview and had to restart in front of the room. Instead of counting him out, the team paid attention to his recovery.

“When I got the opportunity, it felt like I was being seen by Signal Theory,” Washington said. “They really appreciated how I could bounce back and grow from my mistake.”

That recovery earned him a $2,500 scholarship. This summer, Washington joined Signal Theory’s 2026 intern class as a production intern. Walking into the office on the first day with seven other interns, he was ready to create something. 

Inside Washington’s Internship Experience

Between food and beverage, automotive and animal health, Washington was exposed to several different industry categories during his internship with Signal Theory Productions. He took a particular interest in work for SONIC® Drive-In, where he helped with a point-of-purchase screen. He was able to see this project through from start to finish, and it became one of the highlights of his summer.

“I got to work with the assets and pull them together to make this really big picture,” he said. “It was really fun to build and see it fully done. I thought, ‘Gosh, I can actually do this!’”

Whether he was balancing work for different clients or trying to meet a tight deadline, Washington pointed out how different the agency dynamic is from regular production schoolwork. Over the course of the summer, he learned how to adapt to the fast-paced nature of advertising.

“The contrast of workflow was a shock for me,” he said. “Things moved a lot faster at Signal Theory. It helped me get better at creating work quickly, while also being more detail-oriented with what I’m making.”

Something that Washington learned at Signal Theory that he’s going to take with him for the rest of his career is file management. He specifically shouted out Signal Theory’s senior motion designer, Katie Hunt, for teaching him about the importance of file structuring.

Finding Friends Along the Way

Gaining hands-on experience was what Washington came for, but he left with something far more meaningful: friendship. Washington was joined by seven other interns, who soon became friends he wouldn’t otherwise have if it weren’t for the internship. 

“Honestly, some of my favorite moments were hanging out with the other interns inside and outside of work,” he said. “It was great having people similar to me who I now consider true friends. I really enjoyed the summer because of them.”

Washington’s Advice for Other Students

Washington is back at the Kansas City Art Institute and applying what he learned to a three-minute film that is now in production. Professionally, he is on the search for what’s next, weighing opportunities beyond what he’s been exposed to in Kansas City.