Graphic Design Intern Student Employee, #0780

Job Description

Job Description

Overview :

Under the general supervision of the Senior Manager of Design and Creative Services, the Graphic Design Intern Student Employee will assist in the layout and execution of marketing projects.

This role partners with the Marketing and Communications team, and will learn hands-on best practices of graphic design, photography and production.

Campus Location : Des Plaines

Des Plaines

Length of Employment : 1 semester, 150 hours with the option to stay on after the internship is completed

Can a student do homework on this position? No

Hours available : 10-20 hours a week

Schedule Flexibility : Somewhat flexible

Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities and Learning Outcomes :

Collaboration and Communication

• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing creative ideas to design projects.
• Work closely with members of the design and creative, content marketing, web and digital strategy and communications team.
• Present design concepts to supervisors and peers for feedback, refining work based on constructive criticism.
• Develop communication skills by articulating design choices and receiving input in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Coordinate with print and digital production teams to ensure smooth handover of files and assets, keeping all stakeholders updated.

CD, TW) Learn Project Management, Timelines and Tools

• Use project management tools (e.g., Lytho, Bynder) to track progress on design projects, adhering to deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
• Work with the team to develop timelines for multi-step design projects, ensuring timely delivery of drafts and final products.
• Break down design projects into actionable steps, maintaining organization and efficiency in meeting deadlines.
• Attend project meetings to gain insights on how design fits into larger marketing campaigns, ensuring alignment with team goals.

TW, TC) Design and Layout for both Digital and Print

• Create visually compelling layouts for both digital platforms (social media, tv monitors) and print and promotional materials (brochures, posters, banners, t-shirts, pens, etc).
• Utilizing Oakton's Brand Guideline, further develop an understanding of typography, color theory, and composition to create balanced, professional designs.
• Adapt designs for different formats and sizes, ensuring consistency in branding across all media types.
• Work within the college's brand guidelines, but also bring creative solutions to design challenges.
• Produce mockups and design drafts that align with the project brief, ensuring all designs serve a clear purpose and communicate effectively.

CD, TC) Strengthen Technical Skills and Abilities

• Expand knowledge with industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and gain experience with design-related plugins and tools like Canva.
• Develop a strong understanding of file formats, resolution, and color modes for both digital and print production, ensuring all deliverables are print-ready and web-optimized.
• Learn to troubleshoot common design and technical challenges, such as correcting print errors, exporting files correctly, and optimizing images for web use.
• Explore advanced techniques in graphic design, such as vector illustration, image manipulation, and animation for digital platforms.
• Stay updated on the latest design trends and software features, applying them where appropriate to enhance the quality of the designs.(CD, TC)

Student Employment Learning Outcomes Defined :

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified 8 career readiness competencies that broadly prepare college students for a successful transition into the workplace.

Listed in alphabetical order, the include :

1. Career and Self- Development (CD)

2. Communication (CM)

3. Critical Thinking (CT)

4. Equity and Inclusion (EI)

5. Leadership (LD)

6. Professionalism (PF)

7. Teamwork (TW)

8. Technology (TC)

For more information about the NACE Career Readiness Competencies, please visit :

www.naceweb.org / career - readiness / competencies / career -readiness-defined / .

Candidate Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Other abilities) :

• Currently a student in graphic design, art, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in graphic design and production including digital and print channels is required.
• Familiarity and experience working in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong organizational skills are required, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating project progress.
• A willingness to learn various printing processes and working with commercial vendors.
• Strong creative, communication, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
• Design, create, and produce necessary content in media fields such as print, digital, and physical materials.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with pre-press production, including basic knowledge of photography, traditional print production techniques.
• Knowledge of typography, color theory, and four-color printing processes is required.
• Familiar with Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Suite, PowerPoint, Google Suite, Gmail in a Macintosh or Windows environment is required.
• General office working conditions. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.

Application Process :

All interested applicants should complete an online application and provide a resume and portfolio of work. Upon review of the applications, selected candidates will be contacted for an interview beginning January 2 with a suggested start date of February 1.

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