Graphic Design Internships Accepting Applications Now

You may be reading this because you’ve already begun your journey into the world of graphic design. Whether you are in college, have a creative passion, or are pursuing professional designer aspirations.

Perhaps you have spent countless hours exploring the Adobe Creative Suite or working on design projects during your free time. You’re motivated, eager, and asking yourself, “What’s the next step? How do I gain real-world experience?”

This is where applications for graphic design internships come in.

When I began my journey, I was eager to gain experience and didn’t know where to start. Trust me, securing that first internship changed the game. I was able to gain practical experience with everything I had learned, and it provided me access to opportunities that were previously unimaginable.

This article remains yours to guide with strategies on finding suitable internships and all preparations to face the competitive industry market. I am confident that by the end of this read, you will have clarity on the steps to take and how to leave a resounding impact in the design industry.

Key Takeaways

• Internships in graphic design offer practical experience that textbooks and tutorials cannot provide.

   

• A well-developed portfolio is extremely helpful when applying for these internships; it is your chance to stand out.

   

• Networking serves the same importance as your design abilities. Establishing connections with others in your field might open up new prospects down the line.

   

• Internships give you the chance to gain familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

   

• An internship can be very useful in becoming a permanent position, but only if you demonstrate willingness, initiative, curiosity, and love for design.

Why You Need a Graphic Design Internship Right Now

What’s the fuss about an internship? Perhaps you are sharpening your skills and preparing to step into the industry. Well, here is a reality check: graphic design internships currently open for applications are the gaps waiting to be filled with your academic instruction and practice.

Internships are essential because they help you prepare for future employment. For example, no amount of Photoshop training, typography instruction, or layout design will ever replace the experience of actually producing for a client who has set expectations.

Flashback to when I was a pre-professional designer trying to get through my first internship. I remember spending sleepless nights perfecting portfolio pieces, only to be confronted with a design team deficit when I finally started working. While I was armed with design theory, I lacked the ability to Implement It in a myriad of real-world scenarios that exist outside the classroom. Internships help you gain invaluable experience in an organized work environment where you learn to deal with deadlines, give and take constructive criticism, and interact with other creative professionals.

Your internship functions as your training ground where you will be working on live projects that matter. Making mistakes is a part of the process and those mistakes are what is learned from. The biggest benefit, this will be alongside people that you can be mentored, guided, and helped to refine skills with.

The Variety of Graphic Design Internships: Choose Your Path

The sheer variety should be noted and appreciated, as there are graphic design internships accepting applications now. There is not only a single type of internship to apply to, which means that there are revolves based on what excites you the most.

Do you love the digital work as a whole, or are you drawn towards print-based design? Perhaps you’re the kind of person that enjoys chaotic fast paced environments, or on the contrary, more focused, small scale projects. Whatever your preferences, there is something for almost everyone.

Lets discuss some of the more popular graphic design internship categorizations, shall we:

Digital and Web Design Internships

Your work assignments will include designing websites, creating mobile applications and developing advertising pieces for digital platforms. As a result, you will collaborate with Web developers, marketing personnel, UX/UI designers, and even digital marketers. If you like working with responsive design, user interface (UI), or user experience (UX), this opportunity can be a great match. It is highly probable that you will use Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD. You will learn how to convert brand concepts into effective digital designs during your internships.

Branding and Identity Internships

These internships deal with the actual designing of a company’s visual identity. In this case, you will be involved in the designing of logos, business cards, packaging, and even comprehensive brand guideline documents. If you enjoy storytelling and want to communicate a company’s values through your designs, this will be an outlet for you. Your works will be critiqued by other designers and marketers so that they can ensure that the designs will appeal to the target market.

Print and Packaging Design Internships

If you prefer dealing with tangible items, then this might be the right internship for you. Your work will include printed items such as brochures, posters, and packaging. This position often requires an understanding of printing and prepress production which is practical knowledge. If you want to learn about color theory and design in practice, this is a great possibility.

Motion Graphics and Animation Internships

If you love working with animation or video, then this internship will work out for you. Motion design is the act of creating animations for ads, explainer videos, and many others and works as an essential part of motion graphics. It is certainly useful and these kinds of internships teach you just what you need to create high-quality animations with After Effects and Premiere Pro or similar software.

Freelance/Remote Design Internships

Looking for greater flexibility is some other subset of people. If you focus best while outside a structured environment, then remote internship programs will best suit you. In addition to assisting actual clients, you will also learn how to cope and manage set deadlines while working. Multi-channel communication in today’s design world is essential and these internships will teach you just that. Most, if not all, of these internships allow you to work from any location. For those looking to gain experience without having to commute, this is perfect.

Where to Find Graphic Design Internships Accepting Applications Now

You have acquired the skills necessary. You also know what type of internship you would like to pursue. That now leads us to the part which most people find searching for the right internship very exciting. In this case we would like to provide you a few pointers on where to look for graphic design internships that are accepting applications at this very moment.

University Career Services

For students, the career center is a great resource because it is likely to have established ties with leading companies and other organizations that offer student internships. Even after graduating, numerous schools maintain alumni networks that circulate internship opportunities.

Online Job Boards

Internship listings available on Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor are extremely useful for all fields. Set up job alerts tailored to graphic design and don’t forget about startup opportunities on AngelList and freelance positions on DesignCrowd.

Design-Focused Websites

Behance, Dribbble, and Coroflot have specific boards dedicated to advertising design vacancies. You may browse portfolios for inspiration, and many designers would gladly share information about available internships.

Networking

Still, who you know is extremely important. Contact some of your professors or mentors, and even designers because they could act as gatekeepers to invaluable industry contacts. Use LinkedIn to harness the power of existing industry connections to share insight about job prospects.

How to Apply for Graphic Design Internships Accepting Applications Now

Finding your dream internship is rewarding in itself, however, applying for it can be slightly different. With a graphic designing internship that is still open, you cannot simply apply by sending in your resume without any further steps.

Let me take you back to my first internship. The fear of not having adequate experience was overwhelming. But I quickly came to understand that having the right motivation and zeal to pursue design makes a world of a difference. Out of these factors, here is what you need to pay close attention to so that your application surpasses others in competition.

• Your Resume and Portfolio: Focus on design experience accumulated over the years with a well-structured resume. However, it is more crucial to understand that your portfolio is the most important aspect. Put your best projects that highlight your skills and showcase your style. If you have not already, it is paramount to start building it now; make sure it is polished and organized.
• Cover Letter: Use this section to share your most cherished drawings and showcase your persona to make a lasting first impression. You make a case as to why your ardor for the offered tasks and topics is beyond the ordinary and what you plan on achieving through it. Do not forget to add what are your expectations out of the role with the team.
• Show Them Who You Are: Now that you have an interview, it is your chance to talk about yourself. Explain design process and portfolio in detail. Remember, it is a two-way conversation, so do not forget to ask questions. It makes you a more interesting candidate.

What to Expect During Your Graphic Design Internship

Congratulations! You were selected for your first Graphic Design Internship. What comes next? A glimpse into the rest of your internship.

Be prepared to actively participate in project design: be it marketing material design, web design, branding, or anything in between. It is a team effort, so you will receive critiques and praises that are integral to shaping you as a designer.

Every day was an opportunity for improvement for me during my first internship. It is a growing experience where I could learn from veteran designers around me. Even though I made mistakes, I was able to learn from them. Expect plenty of hurdles and countless chances to present your ideas.

My Opinion | Your Future in Design Starts with an Internship

I recall sharing ideas on where to look for graphic design internships accepting applications now and, helping clients polish their profiles so that they truly stand out. Please keep in mind that this only scratch the surface of your journey in design. Internships are critical on your path toward professional development.

So how about it? Now it’s time for you to take that first leap, prepare your portfolio, put order to it and send applications. Your journey as a graphic designer is awaiting you and this commences with your first internship.