J-1 Visa Lead Designer Jobs
Lead Designer roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa Trainee or Intern program categories, both requiring a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019. Finding a host employer willing to structure a formal training plan is the key to securing sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Ogilvy
Ogilvy, part of WPP, has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP).
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
Who we are:
The Lacek Group is a collection of brilliant, passionate, intellectually curious, and unique people who work on the leading edge of customer engagement. We come to work every day to help our clients build longer-lasting, more profitable customer relationships. We listen, collaborate and celebrate together. We treat each other with kindness and respect. And we believe different perspectives drive innovation, fuel creativity and make our business and communities better.
Together with our parent company Ogilvy, one of the most creative and effective agencies in the world, we believe diversity drives smarter work for our clients — and better business for us. We believe inclusion is essential, and we welcome all who are ready to join our push for positive change. Every single day.
What we need:
We are seeking a Designer Intern to join our Summer 2026 Internship Class. This will be a hybrid internship, working at The Lacek Group's Downtown Minneapolis, MN offices.
- Designer Intern (1 opening)
What you’ll do:
As an intern, you will support your respective team with client project deliverables for some of our biggest clients. You may gain experience in project routing; project layout and copy; internal kick-off and strategy meetings; ad hoc assignments; client promotional events; and managing projects. This full-time, 10-week internship will take place from June 8 through August 14 and offers a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
What you’ll bring:
- Working toward Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Visual Arts, or another related field
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills needed to contribute within a team-oriented environment
- Strong detail orientation and follow-through skills
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task
- Agility in an ever-changing environment
- Previous experience managing projects is also preferred
You’ll love working at The Lacek Group – smart people, casual environment, engaging and inclusive culture, and fantastic growth opportunities.
This position is hybrid, with an expectation to be onsite in our downtown Minneapolis, MN office 10x a month.
Location:
The Lacek Group
700 Nicollet Mall, Suite 610
Minneapolis, MN 55402
The Lacek Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay Range
$18 — $18 USD
At Ogilvy, our people are at the heart of what we do: a creative agency that sparks game-changing ideas across culture and business through collaboration, integrity, and a celebration of self-expression.
We believe in building powerful teams with purpose - and we relentlessly curate transformative initiatives that make our commitment to fairness, and equity a reality.
Our ultimate mission is to leave a positive impact on the world, creating a better future for all, while supporting and uplifting the global communities we serve. This is central to our mantra of Borderless Creativity.
Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at accommodations@ogilvy.com. Please note that this contact is only for candidates who are requesting accommodation. Emails for other purposes, including application status requests, will not receive a response.
About Ogilvy
Ogilvy, part of WPP, has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP).
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
Who we are:
The Lacek Group is a collection of brilliant, passionate, intellectually curious, and unique people who work on the leading edge of customer engagement. We come to work every day to help our clients build longer-lasting, more profitable customer relationships. We listen, collaborate and celebrate together. We treat each other with kindness and respect. And we believe different perspectives drive innovation, fuel creativity and make our business and communities better.
Together with our parent company Ogilvy, one of the most creative and effective agencies in the world, we believe diversity drives smarter work for our clients — and better business for us. We believe inclusion is essential, and we welcome all who are ready to join our push for positive change. Every single day.
What we need:
We are seeking a Designer Intern to join our Summer 2026 Internship Class. This will be a hybrid internship, working at The Lacek Group's Downtown Minneapolis, MN offices.
- Designer Intern (1 opening)
What you’ll do:
As an intern, you will support your respective team with client project deliverables for some of our biggest clients. You may gain experience in project routing; project layout and copy; internal kick-off and strategy meetings; ad hoc assignments; client promotional events; and managing projects. This full-time, 10-week internship will take place from June 8 through August 14 and offers a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
What you’ll bring:
- Working toward Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Visual Arts, or another related field
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills needed to contribute within a team-oriented environment
- Strong detail orientation and follow-through skills
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task
- Agility in an ever-changing environment
- Previous experience managing projects is also preferred
You’ll love working at The Lacek Group – smart people, casual environment, engaging and inclusive culture, and fantastic growth opportunities.
This position is hybrid, with an expectation to be onsite in our downtown Minneapolis, MN office 10x a month.
Location:
The Lacek Group
700 Nicollet Mall, Suite 610
Minneapolis, MN 55402
The Lacek Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay Range
$18 — $18 USD
At Ogilvy, our people are at the heart of what we do: a creative agency that sparks game-changing ideas across culture and business through collaboration, integrity, and a celebration of self-expression.
We believe in building powerful teams with purpose - and we relentlessly curate transformative initiatives that make our commitment to fairness, and equity a reality.
Our ultimate mission is to leave a positive impact on the world, creating a better future for all, while supporting and uplifting the global communities we serve. This is central to our mantra of Borderless Creativity.
Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at accommodations@ogilvy.com. Please note that this contact is only for candidates who are requesting accommodation. Emails for other purposes, including application status requests, will not receive a response.
See all J-1 Visa Lead Designer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Lead Designer
Build a portfolio that proves specialty occupation depth
J-1 Trainee applications require a detailed training plan showing structured skill development. Your portfolio should demonstrate discipline-specific expertise in UX, brand, or product design, not generalist work, so the host employer can map your tasks to a credible training objective.
Confirm the host employer will sign a training plan
Many design studios will hire internationally but haven't gone through J-1 host procedures. Ask directly whether they'll complete a DS-7002 Training Plan with a designated sponsor before accepting any offer, since that form is required for Trainee category approval.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1 friendly design roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. Lead Designer openings by employers with documented exchange visitor hiring. This surfaces host organizations that have already navigated the J-1 process, cutting the time you'd spend vetting unfamiliar studios from scratch.
Verify your prior training qualifies for Trainee category
The J-1 Trainee category requires either a degree plus one year of relevant work experience, or five years of work experience abroad in design. If you're still completing your degree, the Intern category applies instead and has different sponsor requirements.
Request the DS-2019 timeline before giving notice
The designated sponsor, not your host employer, controls DS-2019 issuance timing. Processing through organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT can take several weeks after the host submits paperwork. Get a written estimate from the sponsor before resigning your current position.
Check the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 participants in government-funded or skills-list programs must return home for two years before switching to H-1B visa or a green card pathway. Confirm with your designated sponsor whether your program funding source or country triggers this requirement before you accept the offer.
Lead Designer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Lead Designer roles?
Most Lead Designer candidates qualify under the J-1 Trainee category, which covers professionals who have completed a degree in design or a related field and have at least one year of work experience. If you're currently enrolled in a degree program and seeking practical training, the Intern category applies instead. Both require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and approve a structured training plan with the host employer.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a design role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, AIPT, or IIE, not the design firm or studio hiring you. The hiring company is your host employer. The designated sponsor reviews your training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, and monitors your program compliance. Your host employer cannot issue a J-1 independently, regardless of their size or hiring history.
How do I find Lead Designer host employers open to J-1 participants?
Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. Lead Designer roles filtered by employers with documented exchange visitor hiring histories. Because J-1 host status requires a company to complete sponsor paperwork and sign off on a DS-7002 Training Plan, finding employers who've done it before significantly reduces friction during the offer stage.
Does the J-1 Trainee program cover senior or lead-level design positions?
Yes, but the training plan must reflect genuine structured learning rather than standard employment. For a Lead Designer role, the host employer and designated sponsor will need to document what specific competencies you're developing in the U.S. context, such as cross-functional design leadership, U.S. accessibility standards, or platform-specific workflows, that you couldn't acquire in your home country. A role that reads as ordinary employment without a clear learning objective can be denied.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect my plans after a J-1 design role?
It can. If your J-1 program is funded by your home government, the U.S. government, or involves a skill on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your country, you may be required to return home for two years before applying for an H-1B, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa. Confirm whether this applies to you through your designated sponsor before committing to the program, since a waiver process exists but is not guaranteed.