Graphic Design Internships

Advice for Students & Young Professionals

Start with the Basics

Before you begin searching for internships, ensure that you have a strong foundation in design principles, software, and tools. Familiarize yourself with industry-standard software and develop your skills in typography, color theory, layout, and composition. By building a strong foundation, you’ll be better prepared to excel in an internship.

Network and Build Relationships

Reach out to professionals in the field and ask for informational interviews to learn about their experiences and get advice. Attend design conferences and events to meet professionals and make connections. Building relationships with professionals in the industry can help you learn about potential internship opportunities and gain valuable insights.

Tailor Your Portfolio

Your portfolio should showcase your skills and highlight your strengths. Tailor your portfolio to the specific company or internship you’re applying for. Consider the company’s branding and design style, and incorporate that into your portfolio. By demonstrating your ability to adapt your design style to match a company’s branding, you’ll show that you’re a good fit for their team. While it might be trendy to niche a portfolio for a specific role, starting out as an adaptive designer at the beginning of your career might be more true to where you are in your career. Remember that an internship is a learning experience for your vision for the future more than a path toward a perfect job. After all, 5 years into that perfect job you might find out it’s not what you thought it was.

Research the Company

Before applying for an internship, research the company and learn as much as you can about its branding, design style, and values. This information will help you tailor your application and portfolio to the company’s specific needs. It will also show that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company and are genuinely interested in working with them. If upon researching the company you find out it’s even better than you imagined, you might be on the right path; if you find out it’s not what you thought it was, it might not be a great fit.

Demonstrate Your Passion and Work Ethic

Employers want to work with interns who are passionate about design and have a strong work ethic. Show your passion by discussing your favorite design projects, what inspires you, and what you hope to achieve in your career. Demonstrate your work ethic by working hard on your portfolio, application, and any assignments or tasks the company gives you during the internship. As you reach the end of the internship, the people you work with will be the people who can help you land the job you’re aiming for either by references, networking, or by being hired internally for the company you’re interning at.

Final Thoughts

As you start the path of becoming a professional, enjoy the journey. While interviews might cause anxiety and the hiring process might be time-consuming, find ways to learn and grow throughout the process. If you don’t land the gig, reflect and follow up to find opportunities for how you might develop yourself into a stronger candidate.