J-1 Visa Staff Designer Jobs
Staff Designer roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa, typically under the Trainee or Intern program category depending on your career stage. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and provides sponsorship, while your host employer leads the design work.
Find J-1 Visa Staff Designer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 5+ Staff Designer jobs
See all Staff Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Staff Designer roles.
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 Staff Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Staff Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Staff Designer
Document your design specialization precisely
Your DS-2019 training plan must map directly to your declared design discipline. Gather a portfolio, degree transcripts, and employer letters that confirm your specialization in UX, product, or visual design before approaching any designated sponsor.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility early
The Intern category requires current enrollment in a degree program. If you've graduated, you qualify as a Trainee, which allows up to 18 months and requires at least one year of prior design work experience outside the United States.
Target host employers with structured design teams
Designated sponsors must verify your host employer can deliver a legitimate training experience. Studios, tech companies, and in-house design departments with defined mentorship structures pass sponsor vetting far more reliably than small or informal teams.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-aligned design roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter Staff Designer positions at employers already familiar with hosting J-1 visa participants. Identifying receptive host employers before approaching a designated sponsor saves weeks in the placement and vetting process.
Confirm your host employer's 2-year rule exposure
Some Staff Designer roles in government-funded research or cultural exchange contexts trigger the two-year home residency requirement. Ask your designated sponsor to assess your specific program funding source and nationality before you accept an offer.
Negotiate your training plan before your sponsor submits
Your designated sponsor files the DS-2019 based on the training plan you and your host employer agree to. Align your planned design tasks, tools, and mentorship schedule with your host team before that document goes to USCIS for status purposes.
Staff Designer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Staff Designer roles?
It depends on your career stage. If you're currently enrolled in a university design program, the Intern category applies and allows up to 12 months. If you've already graduated and have at least one year of professional design experience, you qualify under the Trainee category, which extends to 18 months and covers a broader range of design disciplines and host environments.
Who actually sponsors a J-1 visa for a Staff Designer position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or AIPT, not your employer. Your employer acts as the host organization, directing your daily design work, while the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, approves your training plan, and monitors your program compliance throughout the placement.
How do I find host employers open to J-1 designers?
Migrate Mate lets you search Staff Designer roles at U.S. employers with demonstrated experience hosting international professionals, making it easier to identify host organizations before approaching a designated sponsor for placement approval. Starting your search here narrows the pool to employers already familiar with the J-1 host-organization process, which accelerates the sponsor vetting timeline significantly.
Does a Staff Designer J-1 placement trigger the two-year home residency requirement?
It can. The two-year home residency requirement applies if your program is funded by your home government or the U.S. government, or if your home country is on the State Department's skills list. Design roles in private-sector technology or creative studios rarely trigger it, but roles tied to government grants or cultural exchange funding require a case-by-case review with your designated sponsor before you sign an offer.
What should a Staff Designer's J-1 training plan include?
Your training plan, submitted by your designated sponsor on the DS-2019, must detail the specific design skills you'll develop, the tools and software involved, your mentorship structure, and measurable objectives tied to each phase of the placement. Vague plans referencing only general design work are frequently flagged during sponsor review. Align the plan with your portfolio specialization, whether that's UX research, interface design, or motion, before your host employer signs off.