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 AYSHA NY, CSL Plasma, and Creativephy among the employers posting roles now.

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Overview

Open roles6
Top stateNew York
Top employerAYSHA NY
Top cityNew York, NY
Work type50% Remote
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 6+ Graphic Designer Internships

CSL Plasma
ECP Co-op - US Graphic Designer Co-Op
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CSL Plasma
Added 2d ago
ECP Co-op - US Graphic Designer Co-Op
CSL Plasma
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Creative & Design
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
10,000+

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A
Graphic Designer (Internship)
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A
Added 6d ago
Graphic Designer (Internship)
AYSHA NY
New York, New York
Brand & Social Media
Creative & Design
Graphic Designer
On-Site

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Direct Signs and Designs
Graphic Designer - Summer Intern Position
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Direct Signs and Designs
Added 2w ago
Graphic Designer - Summer Intern Position
Direct Signs and Designs
El Dorado Hills, California
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project Management
11-50

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Lamar Advertising
Intern - Marketing Graphic Designer
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Lamar Advertising
Added 2w ago
Intern - Marketing Graphic Designer
Lamar Advertising
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Marketing
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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C
Motion Graphic Designer & Video Editor Intern
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C
Added 3w ago
Motion Graphic Designer & Video Editor Intern
Creativephy
Remote
Content Marketing
Copywriting & Editorial
Creative & Design
Remote (US)

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Graphic Designer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

A
AYSHA NY1 open role
CSL Plasma
CSL Plasma1 open role
C
Creativephy1 open role

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 50% 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 50% 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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