How to Be Graphic Design Intern - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 6, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Graphic Design Internships can have a positive effect on a student's career. By taking on an internship, students gain practical experience in the field of graphic design and can make connections with industry professionals. This can lead to more job opportunities in the future, as well as higher salaries because employers are more likely to hire someone who already has experience in the field. Additionally, internships can also provide students with a chance to develop and hone their design skills, allowing them to become more confident in their abilities and better prepared for the job market.

Steps How to Become

Develop a portfolio of your work. As a graphic design intern, you will need to demonstrate your design skills and your understanding of the principles of graphic design. To do this, create a portfolio that showcases your work. Include examples of both digital and print design and any other work you have done, such as logos, flyers, brochures, and illustrations.
Pursue an education in graphic design. Employers often look for interns who have some education or experience in graphic design. Consider enrolling in a certificate or degree program, or take classes at a local community college or vocational school.
Create an online presence. Many employers look for interns who have an online presence a website, blog, or social media accounts that showcase your work and your skills. Create a website that displays your portfolio and list any accomplishments or awards you have earned.
Apply for internships. Once you have developed your portfolio and have established an online presence, begin applying for internships. Check job boards, online classifieds, and contact local businesses to inquire about opportunities.
Network with professionals in the field. Attend conferences, workshops, and other networking events to meet professionals in the field of graphic design. Create connections with people who may be able to help you find internship opportunities.
Market yourself. Consider creating a professional business card or other marketing materials that highlight your skills and experience as a graphic designer. This can help you stand out from the competition when applying for internships.

The success of a Graphic Design Intern depends on their skill set and capability. To become skilled and capable in this field, one must have a deep understanding of the principles of design, excellent technical skills, and a keen eye for detail. A successful Graphic Design Intern should be able to identify design trends and come up with creative solutions.

They must also be able to effectively communicate their ideas to their colleagues and clients. Developing a strong portfolio of work is also essential to gaining recognition in the industry. With the right combination of knowledge, experience, and hard work, anyone can develop the necessary skills and capabilities to become a successful Graphic Design Intern.

You may want to check 3D Graphic Artist, Graphic Production Artist, and Junior Graphic Designer for alternative.

Job Description

Create graphic designs for digital and print collateral, including logos, brochures, flyers, advertisements, web page graphics, and more.
Design concepts and layouts for branding campaigns and promotional materials.
Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to develop innovative design solutions for corporate projects.
Assist with photo editing and retouching.
Prepare and deliver presentations to the creative team and other stakeholders.
Research current design trends and innovative techniques to stay ahead of the curve.
Manage time efficiently to meet tight deadlines.
Assist with other projects as assigned by the creative team.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
Knowledge of print production processes
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of typography and layout principles
Knowledge of digital design principles
Understanding of branding, marketing, and advertising concepts
Experience with web design and development
Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS

Graphic design is a field that requires an array of creative and technical abilities. Having strong technical skills is essential for success in this industry. These skills include a thorough understanding of the design process, an eye for detail and the ability to utilize computer programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

having a good knowledge of color theory and composition can help designers produce effective visual designs. Equally important is the ability to work with a team, communicate effectively with clients and manage time efficiently. A Graphic Design Intern must possess all of these skills in order to be successful in the field.

When these skills are combined, they create a strong foundation for creating beautiful, effective work.

Illustrator/Graphic Artist, Multimedia Production Specialist/Graphic Designer, and Digital Graphic Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in graphic design?
What is your favorite type of design project to work on?
How comfortable are you with Adobe Creative Suite?
How would you go about brainstorming ideas for a new design project?
What methods do you use to stay up to date on the latest design trends?
How do you handle feedback or criticism of your designs?
In what ways do you think graphic design can help a company achieve its goals?
How do you prioritize projects when faced with tight deadlines?
How would you explain the importance of typography in design?
Are there any areas of design that you would like to learn more about?

Common Tools in Industry

Adobe Photoshop. Professional image editing software used to create, manipulate, and enhance digital photos and graphics. (e. g. Adjusting brightness and contrast, adding text, cropping images)
Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics editor used to create logos, illustrations, and other artwork. (e. g. Working with shapes and paths, creating custom brushes and symbols)
Adobe InDesign. Desktop publishing software used to create brochures, business cards, flyers, magazines, books, and other print materials. (e. g. Working with text frames and paragraph styles, using grids and columns)
Adobe After Effects. Motion graphics software used to create special effects for videos or animations. (e. g. Compositing multiple layers, using track mattes and masks)
Sketch. Design and prototyping tool used to create user interfaces for desktop and mobile applications. (e. g. Working with symbols and artboards, linking multiple screens)
Figma. Online design platform used to create user interfaces for desktop and mobile applications. (e. g. Working with components, collaborating on projects in real-time)
Canva. Online graphic design tool used to create visual content such as logos, social media posts, flyers, and other promotional materials. (e. g. Creating templates, working with images and shapes)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)
Type Directors Club
Society of Publication Designers
Professional Association of Design
Art Directors Club
American Advertising Federation
Visual Arts & Design Educators
Society for Experiential Graphic Design
International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD)

We also have Social Media Graphic Designer, Multimedia Graphic Artist, and Graphic User Interface Designer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Branding Developing a unique identity, logo, design and other visual elements to represent a company, product or service.
Typography The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing.
Color Theory The study of how colors interact and how they can be used to create a desired effect in design.
Page Layout The arrangement and presentation of design elements on a page.
Vector Graphics A type of digital image that uses mathematical formulas to create lines and shapes, allowing for images to be scaled up or down without loss of quality.
Raster Images A type of digital image made up of individual pixels, which cannot be scaled up or down without losing quality.
User Interface (UI) Design The design of a website or software to make it easy and enjoyable for users to interact with.
User Experience (UX) Design The process of designing a website or software to create an enjoyable, intuitive user experience.
Logo Design The art of designing a recognizable and memorable visual mark or symbol to represent a company, product or service.
Print Design The process of designing artwork for print materials such as brochures, flyers, posters, magazines and books.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical duration of a Graphic Design Internship?

Most Graphic Design Internships last for 3-6 months.

Web Resources

Graphic Design Intern - UNC Department of Communication comm.unc.edu
Graphic Design Intern Career and Professional Development cpd.cau.edu
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN (unpaid) | Queens College Design qcdesign.commons.gc.cuny.edu