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 HNTB Corporation, BIBF, and Unisys among the employers posting roles now.
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Overview
The graphic design intern is a creative genius who is proficient in the Adobe Suite and knows how to create visual deliverables that convert. They have a natural eye for design and the technical skills to back it up. This intern supports the Creative + Experience Team with fresh ideas and high-quality visuals.
Responsibilities & Skills
- Creates graphics for social media, print collateral, digital advertisements, web and more.
- Collaborates with creative team on campaign concepting and strategy.
- Follows brand guidelines while bringing a fresh perspective to client deliverables.
Education & Experience
- Studying advertising, graphic design, visual media or a related major.
- Current junior or senior.
- Experience working in a professional setting.
- Experience working in Adobe Suite.
- Experience in animation and video production is a plus.
Role Competencies
- Strong design skills.
- Can manage multiple tasks and deadlines at once.
- Can receive and apply feedback.
Compensation
This role is responsible for 40 hours a week at a base pay of $25/hr. Curious Plot also offers 12 hours of medical/sick time.
Curious Summer Internship Program
https://curiousplot.agency/summer-internship/
- Internship Program is a paid,10 week program
- Dates: Monday, May 31 - Friday, August 6
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Hybrid work schedule (2 - 3 day in office)
- Work on real client projects
- Collaborate on a group capstone
Overview
The graphic design intern is a creative genius who is proficient in the Adobe Suite and knows how to create visual deliverables that convert. They have a natural eye for design and the technical skills to back it up. This intern supports the Creative + Experience Team with fresh ideas and high-quality visuals.
Responsibilities & Skills
- Creates graphics for social media, print collateral, digital advertisements, web and more.
- Collaborates with creative team on campaign concepting and strategy.
- Follows brand guidelines while bringing a fresh perspective to client deliverables.
Education & Experience
- Studying advertising, graphic design, visual media or a related major.
- Current junior or senior.
- Experience working in a professional setting.
- Experience working in Adobe Suite.
- Experience in animation and video production is a plus.
Role Competencies
- Strong design skills.
- Can manage multiple tasks and deadlines at once.
- Can receive and apply feedback.
Compensation
This role is responsible for 40 hours a week at a base pay of $25/hr. Curious Plot also offers 12 hours of medical/sick time.
Curious Summer Internship Program
https://curiousplot.agency/summer-internship/
- Internship Program is a paid,10 week program
- Dates: Monday, May 31 - Friday, August 6
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Hybrid work schedule (2 - 3 day in office)
- Work on real client projects
- Collaborate on a group capstone
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 33% 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 67% 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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