12 Graphic Design Internships for College Students
Internships provide college students with valuable experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and the professional world. They help build resumes, expand networks, and develop practical skills that are crucial for securing full-time jobs. For graphic design students, internships offer hands-on opportunities to work on real projects, refine technical skills, and understand industry dynamics. These experiences build a strong portfolio and enhance employability in a competitive job market. Below is a list of 12 graphic design internships that provide students with industry-aligned experience in this field.
1. Ladder Internship Program - Graphic Design Track
Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: November 24, 2024, for the Winter Cohort
Starts on: December 16, 2024
Work/Duration: 5-10 hours/week, 8 weeks
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
The Ladder Internship Program offers students virtual graphic design experience, collaborating with global startups and nonprofits on projects like digital illustrations, branding, and layout design. Interns work on visual branding, UI/UX design, and social media graphics, gaining exposure to global design trends and practices. This immersive program provides a strong foundation for students aiming to advance in the creative industry by honing technical and creative skills while working in a fast-paced environment.
2. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Multimedia Graphic Design Internship
Cost: Not specified.
Location: Virtual or at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025.
Start Date: Based on cohort schedule.
Eligibility: Open to creative interns with skills in multimedia and a passion for storytelling.
This multimedia graphic design internship offers a unique opportunity to work on projects pairing NASA imagery with iconic space-themed music. Interns will help create films for orchestras, featuring compositions like The Planets and The Four Seasons. Tasks include film editing, image research, and motion graphics using software like After Effects. Interns will also assist in proposal and pitch deck development. This role provides hands-on experience blending design, storytelling, and space exploration. A strong understanding of multimedia workflows is essential for success in this creative project.
3. LCS - Graphic Design Internship
Location: Des Moines, IA, United States
Salary: Paid internship
Eligibility: Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, or a related major; must have graphic or digital design experience from an internship, job, or coursework; sophomore, junior, or senior standing.
Application Deadline: Not specified
The corporate marketing graphic design intern will gain experience working with a dynamic team on various projects, contributing to new business and marketing efforts. Interns will design templates, PowerPoints, and guides, optimize digital images for responsive design, and assist in creating brand campaigns. They will present ideas to the creative team and manage multiple projects from concept to completion. Candidates should be passionate about design, multitask well, and have proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Excellent communication and attention to detail are essential.
4. J.M. Smucker Company - Graphic Desing Internship
Location: Orrville, OH; 25% on-site
Cost: Paid
Application Deadline: 31st December 2024
Eligibility: Junior standing in a bachelor’s program in Graphic Design or related field
As a Creative & Design Intern with Smucker's Seed Creative, you'll work on diverse content projects across multiple brands, including digital content for social media and e-commerce, marketing collateral, packaging, and internal branding. Collaborating with copywriters, designers, and brand leads, you'll help transform creative briefs into compelling visuals and contribute to video and photography production. Interns also create an Anchor Presentation, exploring an industry topic to present to the broader organization. This role offers hands-on experience throughout the creative process.
5. Fox News Media – Summer Internship Program
Location: New York, NY
Start Date: June 2, 2025 (Session 1) / June 16, 2025 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: February 9, 2025
Salary: $17.50 per hour
Weekly Hours: 32-40 hours
The Fox News Media summer internship offers college students the chance to gain hands-on experience in the news industry. Interns are placed in departments matching their skills and career goals, working alongside professionals in a fast-paced environment. To apply, candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio link, outlining their fit for the program and areas of interest.
6. GE Vernova – Corporate Marketing Graphic Design Intern
Location: U.S. (Geographic location specified by the business)
Term: May/June - August 2025
Work Hours: 40 hours per week, Day/1st Shift
Salary: $19.00 - $30.00 per hour, based on academic level
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a full-time, accredited undergraduate or graduate program in Graphic Design; Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
As a Corporate Marketing Intern at GE Vernova, you'll contribute to the electrification and decarbonization mission. Reporting to the Senior Creative Marketing Director, you'll work with stakeholders and vendors to create visual assets aligned with branding. This role offers hands-on experience in corporate branding, digital production, and file management. You'll participate in strategic sessions to translate technical details into engaging graphics, using Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint to develop high-quality materials.
7. CAD Drafter/Designer (Co-Op or Internship - Fall 2024 or Spring 2025)
Salary: Not specified
Location: Springfield, MA
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, or senior actively pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Design, or a related field; Minimum GPA of 3.0
The CAD Drafter/Designer position offers hands-on experience in architecture, equipment, and facility design. Interns will create detailed 2D and 3D drawings for food and beverage process facilities using CAD software, collaborating with engineers and senior designers on mechanical, electrical, and piping layouts. The role includes coordinating projects, ensuring compliance with standards, and assisting in construction coordination. This opportunity is ideal for aspiring architects or engineers seeking real-world experience in CAD drafting and facility design.
8. Dow Jones - Summer 2025 Internship - Audio/Video Producer in Training
Salary: $25.00 per hour
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
Eligibility: Must be available to work from June 9, 2025, to August 15, 2025
Dow Jones is seeking a Training Audio/Video Producer Intern for Summer 2025 to support multimedia training content production. Interns will help create on-demand video tutorials, audio discussions, and other materials for internal peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. This hybrid position, based in New York City, offers hands-on experience in multimedia production and content aimed at improving skill-building within the organization. Ideal for those interested in gaining experience in audio/video production in a professional media environment.
9. NIKE Inc. Product Graphics Design Internship
Cost: None. Paid internship.
Application: Rolling, no deadline mentioned
Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Eligibility: Bachelors in Creative Arts
The ideal candidate is graduating between Spring 2025 and Winter 2025 with a focus on Graphic Design, Apparel Design, Product Design, or a related field. Applicants should present a portfolio with 3-5 relevant projects demonstrating their design process. Strong skills in typography, sketching, illustration, print and pattern design, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud are essential. Experience with apparel product creation and digital spaces is preferred. Interns will work on uniform designs, collaborating with development teams and athletes to refine details and contribute to the Nike portfolio.
10. Graphic Design Intern - Lamington Co.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Rolling
Salary: Not Specified
Application Mode: please email your portfolio and resume to careers@lamington.co.
The Graphic Design Intern will assist with creating graphics for national food and beverage brands, offering hands-on experience with high-impact work. Responsibilities include designing icons, crafting email newsletters, animating simple GIFs, and organizing files. Success in this role requires adaptability, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Candidates should be self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable collaborating. Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is essential. Ideal applicants are current or recent undergraduates with a passion for design and a drive to learn new skills.
11. Kansas City Magazine - Graphic Designer Intern
Location: Kansas City, MO
Duration: Three months
Hours: 20 hours per week
Salary: $250 per month
Kansas City offers three-month design internships year-round, providing hands-on experience across advertising, design, production, and digital departments. Interns will contribute about 20 hours per week to both Kansas City magazine and its website. Applicants should have post-secondary design experience and strong typographic and creative skills. Duties include page layout, image research, creating website and marketing materials, and other tasks as needed. Interns will collaborate with the art director and share ideas during meetings. Candidates must be enrolled in an institution offering school credit or be available post-graduation.
12. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internship Program - Graphic Design Track
Cost: Stipends Available
Location: Virtual; Washington, DC; Hybrid
Application Deadline: March 2, 2025
Start Date: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate/doctoral students
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers a unique graphic design internship, allowing students to work on projects that visually represent cultural traditions. Interns will design materials for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and other programs. Responsibilities may include creating promotional materials, digital content, branding, and exhibit graphics. The internship can be remote, in Washington, D.C., or hybrid. This opportunity allows students to build a culturally rich portfolio while contributing to the preservation and interpretation of diverse traditions. Ideal for those seeking hands-on experience in cultural design.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships.
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual program where you’ll have the chance to work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! These startups span a variety of industries, including computer science, tech, and engineering. During your internship, you’ll work on a meaningful, real-world project that directly contributes to the startup’s needs, and you’ll present your work at the end of the program.
You’ll collaborate closely with your manager from the startup and also receive guidance from a Ladder Coach throughout your experience. Ready to take the next step? Apply now!