Graphic Designer Internships
Graphic designer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience across branding, typography, and visual storytelling, mentorship from working designers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Nelnet, Love, Olive, and Pulsar Products among the employers posting roles now.
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See related jobsOur Vision: We make dreams possible.
Yes, we’re a student loan servicer. We’re also a technology company, idea incubator, start-up accelerator, and K-12 and higher education expert. At Nelnet, we’re so much more than what you think—and we’re just getting started. So, no matter what you want to do in life—build codes or build brands—we’re the best place to do it.
Join Nelnet as an intern and do real work that matters to our business. All Nelnet interns receive one-on-one mentorship, competitive pay, casual dress, flexible schedule, intern-specific programming, and meaningful work experience.
Apply to one of our internships today. Your career awaits.
We are seeking a detail-oriented Graphic Design Intern to support campaign creative in the final stages of execution, ensuring accuracy, brand consistency, and readiness for print, web, and digital or social media publication. The ideal candidate is working toward a four-year degree in marketing, design, or a related field and brings a strong mix of creative, technical, and communication skills, with experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign and Illustrator, and familiarity with Figma and Photoshop.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support ad campaign creative production under the guidance of the Creative Manager and Associate Designers.
- Review and quality-check deliverables to ensure all graphics, color usage, and typography are accurate and error-free.
- Maintain and update brand template libraries across Canva, Figma, and Adobe to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Adapt supplied artwork into multiple formats, prepare files for production, and resolve issues that arise during the production process.
- Develop initial design layouts and concepts with direction from the Creative Manager or Associate Designers.
- Implement copy and content updates based on feedback from Marketing Leads and clients.
- Produce and export deliverables for review and production, including (but not limited to) handouts, banners, website assets and page layouts, digital ads (static and animated), and social media content.
- Organize working files and final assets using clear naming conventions, version control, and packaged handoff folders.
- Participate in creative reviews and present work-in-progress updates to the team.
- Identify and correct common production issues (e.g., low-resolution imagery, kerning/typography adjustments, spacing inconsistencies, broken links).
- Perform quick brand compliance checks on outgoing assets (logo usage, spacing, typographic hierarchy, and basic accessibility considerations).
- Assist with video and photo shoots as needed (when local/available).
EDUCATION:
Working toward a 4-year degree in marketing or related field.
EXPERIENCE:
College Juniors and Seniors preferred, or design/layout introduction classes at the minimum
Experience with ADOBE Creative Suite, primarily InDesign, Illustrator, Figma, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe XD. (In order of importance).
COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
- Dedicated interest in design and advertising
- Detail-oriented
- Organized
- Good at multi-tasking
- Quick to learn and work independently
- Good communication
- A self-starter eager to jump in and take on more
- Ability to follow directions
Pay - $15 - $17
Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.
Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 or corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.
Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring
We may use automated or artificial intelligence enabled tools to assist with the initial review of applications, such as identifying relevant skills or experience. These tools are used to support human review and do not make hiring decisions. A recruiter reviews applications and determines which candidates move forward in the hiring process. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Pre-Use Notice: Automated Tools in Hiring
Our Vision: We make dreams possible.
Yes, we’re a student loan servicer. We’re also a technology company, idea incubator, start-up accelerator, and K-12 and higher education expert. At Nelnet, we’re so much more than what you think—and we’re just getting started. So, no matter what you want to do in life—build codes or build brands—we’re the best place to do it.
Join Nelnet as an intern and do real work that matters to our business. All Nelnet interns receive one-on-one mentorship, competitive pay, casual dress, flexible schedule, intern-specific programming, and meaningful work experience.
Apply to one of our internships today. Your career awaits.
We are seeking a detail-oriented Graphic Design Intern to support campaign creative in the final stages of execution, ensuring accuracy, brand consistency, and readiness for print, web, and digital or social media publication. The ideal candidate is working toward a four-year degree in marketing, design, or a related field and brings a strong mix of creative, technical, and communication skills, with experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign and Illustrator, and familiarity with Figma and Photoshop.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support ad campaign creative production under the guidance of the Creative Manager and Associate Designers.
- Review and quality-check deliverables to ensure all graphics, color usage, and typography are accurate and error-free.
- Maintain and update brand template libraries across Canva, Figma, and Adobe to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Adapt supplied artwork into multiple formats, prepare files for production, and resolve issues that arise during the production process.
- Develop initial design layouts and concepts with direction from the Creative Manager or Associate Designers.
- Implement copy and content updates based on feedback from Marketing Leads and clients.
- Produce and export deliverables for review and production, including (but not limited to) handouts, banners, website assets and page layouts, digital ads (static and animated), and social media content.
- Organize working files and final assets using clear naming conventions, version control, and packaged handoff folders.
- Participate in creative reviews and present work-in-progress updates to the team.
- Identify and correct common production issues (e.g., low-resolution imagery, kerning/typography adjustments, spacing inconsistencies, broken links).
- Perform quick brand compliance checks on outgoing assets (logo usage, spacing, typographic hierarchy, and basic accessibility considerations).
- Assist with video and photo shoots as needed (when local/available).
EDUCATION:
Working toward a 4-year degree in marketing or related field.
EXPERIENCE:
College Juniors and Seniors preferred, or design/layout introduction classes at the minimum
Experience with ADOBE Creative Suite, primarily InDesign, Illustrator, Figma, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe XD. (In order of importance).
COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
- Dedicated interest in design and advertising
- Detail-oriented
- Organized
- Good at multi-tasking
- Quick to learn and work independently
- Good communication
- A self-starter eager to jump in and take on more
- Ability to follow directions
Pay - $15 - $17
Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.
Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 or corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.
Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring
We may use automated or artificial intelligence enabled tools to assist with the initial review of applications, such as identifying relevant skills or experience. These tools are used to support human review and do not make hiring decisions. A recruiter reviews applications and determines which candidates move forward in the hiring process. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Pre-Use Notice: Automated Tools in Hiring
Graphic Designer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Graphic Designer Internship Search
Apply earlier than your instincts say
Large employers, including agencies and in-house creative teams at major brands, recruit summer interns the preceding fall and close their cohorts months before the internship starts. Smaller studios and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so roles appear year-round. Starting your search in late summer or early fall gives you access to the most competitive programs before they fill.
Build your portfolio before you send a single application
Graphic designer intern hiring teams evaluate your portfolio before your resume. Assemble two or three complete projects that show your process from brief to finished asset, naming the tools you used, whether Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Illustrator. A linked portfolio or Behance case study gives recruiters something concrete to assess and sets you apart from candidates who only list software skills.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters at those events often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller creative cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you can reach.
Practice your portfolio walkthrough out loud before interviews
Graphic designer intern interviews typically include a portfolio review where you walk the interviewer through your work and explain your decisions. Practice narrating each project out loud, covering the brief, your concept choices, and what you'd refine, because interviewers weigh how you think about design as much as the finished outcome. Recording yourself once reveals gaps in how clearly you communicate your process.
Target structured creative internship programs early
Many larger employers run formal design intern cohorts that include structured mentorship, cross-functional project rotations, and dedicated manager support for people new to professional creative work. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often have the clearest paths to return offers. Identify the ones that match your discipline, whether brand design, UX, or motion, and apply in the first wave of postings.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the graphic designer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, whether remote, hybrid, or on-site, before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by work type and location upfront saves you from applying to roles you cannot take and keeps your effort focused on opportunities that actually fit your situation.
Graphic Designer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a graphic designer internship?
Lead with your portfolio, not your work history, because hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level and want to see what you can make. Include class projects, self-initiated work, and any freelance pieces that show your range across tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a graphic designer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for graphic designer interns is the quality of your work on real deliverables, whether the team has open headcount when the internship ends, and how early you clarify return-offer timelines with your manager. Position for one by performing well, but don't count on it when evaluating the opportunity.
When should I apply for graphic designer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, including agencies and in-house creative teams at major brands, recruit summer interns the preceding fall and fill cohorts well before spring. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Starting your search early gives you access to the most structured, well-resourced programs before they close.
Are graphic designer internships paid?
Most professional graphic designer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and some roles also include housing stipends or relocation support. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it, so you can filter for roles that match what you need before you apply.
What should a graphic designer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. List two or three complete, documented projects naming the tools you used, the design problem you solved, and where reviewers can see the finished work, such as a linked portfolio or Behance case study. Add relevant coursework in visual design, typography, or UX. Keep everything to one page, since intern hiring managers scan quickly and brevity signals clarity.
Are there remote graphic designer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the graphic designer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to fill quickly because they attract candidates from across the country, so apply early once you decide what works for your situation. Use the work-type filter to see only the format you can actually commit to.
Can international students get graphic designer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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