J-1 Visa Graphic Design Specialist Jobs
Graphic Design Specialist roles in the United States are accessible to international exchange visitors through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Specialist program category. Designated sponsors issue the DS-2019 and oversee your training plan, while your host employer provides the creative work environment and structured program.
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Get Access To All JobsEsther Prangley Rice Gallery Graphic Design Intern
Category: Student Worker
Department: Art
Locations: Westminster, MD
Posted: Jul 22, 2026
Closes: Sep 2, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type: PT No Benefits
Salary Type: Hourly
Salary Range: $15.00 - $15.00
Position ID: 202928
About McDaniel College:
McDaniel College is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original "Colleges That Change Lives," McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary.
At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2026 benefits guidebook and click here to view 2026 premium rates.
Job Description:
Job Title: Esther Prangley Rice Gallery Graphic Design Intern
Effective Date: 07/06/2026
Reports to: Director of Esther Prangley Rice Gallery
Department: Art
Rate of Pay: Maryland Minimum Wage
FSLA Status: Non-Exempt
Location of Position: Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157
Duration of Appointment: August 17, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Schedule: Schedule is at discretion of supervisor
Evaluation Procedures: Student workers are evaluated on a continuous basis.
Scope:
- Provides creative support to the Rice Gallery by creating works of art and design for special events occurring throughout the semester and assisting with marketing and events.
Responsibilities:
Design & Creative Production
- Assist with creating digital visual materials for Rice Gallery Program events.
- Assist in conceptualizing and executing art installations in the Rice Gallery.
- Design and produce promotional items and giveaways for program participants.
Marketing & Communications
- Maintain the program's visual identity across all platforms.
- Collaborate with the Director to develop marketing strategies for events.
- Document events through photography for future promotional use.
Event Support
- Attend and provide on-site support for events, which may include at least one weekday evening event during the semester.
- Assist with setup and teardown of event spaces, including art installations.
- Create environmental graphics and wayfinding signage for events.
- Implement and/or design interactive art experiences for event attendees.
- Provide technical support for visual presentations during events.
Administrative & Project Management
- Maintain organized digital files of all created materials in OneDrive and/or Teams.
- Track project timelines and meet established deadlines.
- Participate in regular planning meetings with the Director.
- Document creative processes for program archives.
- Manage inventory of design supplies and materials.
- Provide weekly progress reports on assigned projects.
Community Engagement
- Design collaborative art projects that engage program participants.
- Facilitate and/or assist with creative workshops for the Gallery, if desired.
- Create visual documentation of Gallery activities.
- Support the visual storytelling of the Gallery's impact.
Professional Development
- Maintain a portfolio of work created during the internship.
- Document the creative process and outcomes for each project.
- Reflect on learning experiences and skill development.
- Participate in feedback sessions to improve art/design work.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the program through creative initiatives.
Schedule:
- 6-10 hours a week.
- The internship will begin on August 17, 2026 and end on November 20, 2026.
- Internship needs to start in August to create Postcards and Posters for the first exhibition that opens on 8/27/26.
Requirements:
Qualifications:
- Current undergraduate student at McDaniel College. Priority will be given to Art majors and minors.
- Knowledge of Word, Teams, OneDrive, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite (preferably Photoshop and Illustrator).
- Successful completion of Art courses, which may include any one or more of the following: Perceptual Drawing, 2D Design Concepts, 3D Design Concepts, Digital Imaging, Graphic Design I.
- Strong communication skills.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects at once and complete projects by hard deadlines.
- Ability to transform themes and ideas into works of art and design, including installation, sculpture, and community-engagement projects.
- Evidence of art and/or design experience in a portfolio format (PDF, Canva or PowerPoint presentation) will be required during the interview process.
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
Physical Characteristics:
The position involves computer-based design work that requires sitting for extended periods. The role demands significant finger and hand dexterity for detailed design tasks, digital illustration, and precise material handling when creating physical art pieces. While working on installations and event setups, the intern will occasionally need to stand, bend, and reach to arrange displays and decorations. The position involves lifting and carrying art supplies, marketing materials, and display items weighing up to 10 pounds. Strong visual acuity is necessary for color assessment, detail work, and quality control of completed materials. The work environment includes standard office and classroom settings, creative studio spaces, and various campus event locations where the intern may be exposed to art materials such as adhesives and paints. The intern must be able to work in different lighting conditions and maintain stamina during event preparation and breakdown.
Additional Information:
McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.
Application Instructions:
Please click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.
- Please upload a letter of recommendation from a Faculty member or supervisor in the documents section of this application.
- Note that evidence of art and/or design experience in a portfolio format (PDF, Canva or PowerPoint presentation) will be required during the interview process.
Esther Prangley Rice Gallery Graphic Design Intern
Category: Student Worker
Department: Art
Locations: Westminster, MD
Posted: Jul 22, 2026
Closes: Sep 2, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type: PT No Benefits
Salary Type: Hourly
Salary Range: $15.00 - $15.00
Position ID: 202928
About McDaniel College:
McDaniel College is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original "Colleges That Change Lives," McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary.
At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2026 benefits guidebook and click here to view 2026 premium rates.
Job Description:
Job Title: Esther Prangley Rice Gallery Graphic Design Intern
Effective Date: 07/06/2026
Reports to: Director of Esther Prangley Rice Gallery
Department: Art
Rate of Pay: Maryland Minimum Wage
FSLA Status: Non-Exempt
Location of Position: Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157
Duration of Appointment: August 17, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Schedule: Schedule is at discretion of supervisor
Evaluation Procedures: Student workers are evaluated on a continuous basis.
Scope:
- Provides creative support to the Rice Gallery by creating works of art and design for special events occurring throughout the semester and assisting with marketing and events.
Responsibilities:
Design & Creative Production
- Assist with creating digital visual materials for Rice Gallery Program events.
- Assist in conceptualizing and executing art installations in the Rice Gallery.
- Design and produce promotional items and giveaways for program participants.
Marketing & Communications
- Maintain the program's visual identity across all platforms.
- Collaborate with the Director to develop marketing strategies for events.
- Document events through photography for future promotional use.
Event Support
- Attend and provide on-site support for events, which may include at least one weekday evening event during the semester.
- Assist with setup and teardown of event spaces, including art installations.
- Create environmental graphics and wayfinding signage for events.
- Implement and/or design interactive art experiences for event attendees.
- Provide technical support for visual presentations during events.
Administrative & Project Management
- Maintain organized digital files of all created materials in OneDrive and/or Teams.
- Track project timelines and meet established deadlines.
- Participate in regular planning meetings with the Director.
- Document creative processes for program archives.
- Manage inventory of design supplies and materials.
- Provide weekly progress reports on assigned projects.
Community Engagement
- Design collaborative art projects that engage program participants.
- Facilitate and/or assist with creative workshops for the Gallery, if desired.
- Create visual documentation of Gallery activities.
- Support the visual storytelling of the Gallery's impact.
Professional Development
- Maintain a portfolio of work created during the internship.
- Document the creative process and outcomes for each project.
- Reflect on learning experiences and skill development.
- Participate in feedback sessions to improve art/design work.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the program through creative initiatives.
Schedule:
- 6-10 hours a week.
- The internship will begin on August 17, 2026 and end on November 20, 2026.
- Internship needs to start in August to create Postcards and Posters for the first exhibition that opens on 8/27/26.
Requirements:
Qualifications:
- Current undergraduate student at McDaniel College. Priority will be given to Art majors and minors.
- Knowledge of Word, Teams, OneDrive, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite (preferably Photoshop and Illustrator).
- Successful completion of Art courses, which may include any one or more of the following: Perceptual Drawing, 2D Design Concepts, 3D Design Concepts, Digital Imaging, Graphic Design I.
- Strong communication skills.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects at once and complete projects by hard deadlines.
- Ability to transform themes and ideas into works of art and design, including installation, sculpture, and community-engagement projects.
- Evidence of art and/or design experience in a portfolio format (PDF, Canva or PowerPoint presentation) will be required during the interview process.
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
Physical Characteristics:
The position involves computer-based design work that requires sitting for extended periods. The role demands significant finger and hand dexterity for detailed design tasks, digital illustration, and precise material handling when creating physical art pieces. While working on installations and event setups, the intern will occasionally need to stand, bend, and reach to arrange displays and decorations. The position involves lifting and carrying art supplies, marketing materials, and display items weighing up to 10 pounds. Strong visual acuity is necessary for color assessment, detail work, and quality control of completed materials. The work environment includes standard office and classroom settings, creative studio spaces, and various campus event locations where the intern may be exposed to art materials such as adhesives and paints. The intern must be able to work in different lighting conditions and maintain stamina during event preparation and breakdown.
Additional Information:
McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.
Application Instructions:
Please click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.
- Please upload a letter of recommendation from a Faculty member or supervisor in the documents section of this application.
- Note that evidence of art and/or design experience in a portfolio format (PDF, Canva or PowerPoint presentation) will be required during the interview process.
See all J-1 Visa Graphic Design Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Graphic Design Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Graphic Design Specialist
Build a portfolio proving specialty occupation depth
Your J-1 visa Trainee or Specialist application requires a training plan tied to a specific design discipline. Document projects by software, methodology, and outcome so your sponsor can map your experience to a credible U.S. training objective.
Confirm your host employer can run structured programs
Not every design studio or agency has the HR infrastructure to fulfill a J-1 training plan. Ask prospective host employers directly whether they've hosted J-1 exchange visitors before and whether they can assign a designated supervisor for your program.
Distinguish Trainee from Specialist before applying
The Trainee category suits you if you've graduated within the past 12 months or are still studying. The Specialist category applies if you have at least five years of professional graphic design experience. Choosing the wrong category will delay your DS-2019 issuance.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-aligned design roles
Use Migrate Mate to find U.S. graphic design positions at employers already familiar with exchange visitor hosting. Filtering by sponsorship type saves you from pursuing studios that have never navigated the DS-2019 process.
Request the training plan before signing your offer
Your designated sponsor requires a completed Form DS-7002 training plan before issuing the DS-2019. Ask your host employer to draft this document alongside your offer letter so both documents are ready simultaneously and your start date isn't pushed back.
Check whether your design category triggers the two-year rule
Some J-1 participants from countries with exchange visitor skills lists are subject to a two-year home residency requirement before changing to certain U.S. visa statuses. USCIS and the State Department determine this based on your nationality and funding source, not your job title.
Graphic Design Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Graphic Design Specialist role?
It depends on your career stage. If you're currently enrolled in a design program or graduated within the past 12 months, the Trainee category applies. If you have five or more years of professional graphic design experience, the Specialist category is the correct fit. Your designated sponsor, not your host employer, makes the final determination and issues the DS-2019 accordingly.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a graphic design professional?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, issues your DS-2019 form and serves as your legal J-1 sponsor. Your host employer, typically the design agency or in-house team that hired you, is not the visa sponsor. The host provides the work environment and the structured training plan, but the designated sponsor holds compliance responsibility throughout your program.
How do I find U.S. design employers already familiar with J-1 hosting?
Migrate Mate lets you search for graphic design roles at U.S. employers that have experience with exchange visitor programs, which significantly reduces the back-and-forth of explaining J-1 hosting requirements from scratch. Targeting employers already familiar with the DS-2019 process and Form DS-7002 training plans shortens your path from offer to visa issuance.
Does the J-1 visa have an annual cap or lottery for graphic design roles?
No. Unlike the H-1B visa, the J-1 exchange visitor program has no annual numerical cap and no lottery. Graphic Design Specialist placements under the Trainee or Specialist category can begin at any point in the year, subject only to your designated sponsor's processing timeline and your host employer's readiness to finalize the training plan.
Can I change host employers or extend my J-1 program in a graphic design role?
Changing host employers mid-program requires your designated sponsor's approval and typically means revising or replacing your DS-7002 training plan. Extensions are possible within the Trainee category's 18-month maximum or the Specialist category's limits, but both require sponsor authorization before your current DS-2019 expires. Starting the extension process at least 60 days early prevents a gap in authorized status.