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Creative Summer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Doner

Creative Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Go from green to mad (wo)man in just one short summer of indentured servitude!* *Actually, you'll ... Mom and Dad said, "Really?" But your passion for creative problem solving, obsession with new and ...

Doner

Creative Intern

Los Angeles, CA

Go from green to mad (wo)man in just one short summer of indentured servitude!* *Actually, you'll ... Mom and Dad said, "Really?" But your passion for creative problem solving, obsession with new and ...

600 UMG Recordings Inc

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $156K/yr

Role Overview The Director, Catalog Visual Creative leads the creative direction, evolution, and ... Summer Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Generous paid parental leave for every type of ...

600 UMG Recordings Inc

Creative Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $156K/yr

Role Overview The Director, Catalog Visual Creative leads the creative direction, evolution, and ... Summer Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Generous paid parental leave for every type of ...

Fellow

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Creative Director will drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and ... Summer Fridays * Paid Parental Leave * Generous discount on Fellow products * Best coffee anywhere ...

Fellow

Creative Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Creative Directorwill drive the brand's success by leading the visioning, development, and ... Summer Fridays * Paid Parental Leave * Generous discount on Fellow products * Best coffee anywhere ...

600 UMG Recordings Inc

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$96K - $140K/yr

Lead the creative development of artist stores, ensuring visual storytelling, navigation, and ... Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day). Generous paid parental leave for every type of ...

600 UMG Recordings Inc

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$96K - $140K/yr

Lead the creative development of artist stores, ensuring visual storytelling, navigation, and ... Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day). Generous paid parental leave for every type of ...

Inkitt

Creative Strategist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Own the paid creative production lifecycle for User Acquisition campaigns, working with designers ... and The Summer I Turned Pretty-and you know what ACOTAR is! * Active engagement on BookTok ...

Inkitt

Creative Strategist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Own the paid creative production lifecycle for User Acquisition campaigns, working with designers ... and The Summer I Turned Pretty-and you know what ACOTAR is! * Active engagement on BookTok ...

Umusic

Creative Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day) * Generous paid parental leave for every type ... Creative, Design & Production Salary Range: $96,660 - $140,000 The actual base salary offered ...

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All JobsCreative Summer JobsCreative Summer Jobs in California

Creative Summer information

See California salary details

$18.8K

$33.3K

$36K

How much do creative summer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative summer in California is $33,275.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $34,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Creative Summer?

A Creative Summer job typically refers to a short-term position or internship focused on artistic or innovative fields during the summer months. These jobs can include roles in graphic design, writing, photography, theater, marketing, or other creative industries. They provide students or aspiring professionals with hands-on experience, skill development, and portfolio building opportunities. Creative Summer jobs often involve working on specific projects, collaborating with teams, and learning from industry professionals.

What types of projects can I expect to work on in a Creative Summer internship, and how much creative freedom is typically given?

As a Creative Summer intern, you can expect to work on a variety of projects such as social media campaigns, graphic design pieces, branding initiatives, or content creation, depending on the organization's focus. Interns are often encouraged to contribute fresh ideas and original concepts, and many companies provide a supportive environment that values experimentation and learning. While you will likely follow some established guidelines and collaborate closely with senior designers or creative leads, there is usually ample opportunity to showcase your creativity and take ownership of small projects or components of larger campaigns.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Director, you need a strong background in visual design, brand strategy, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in design, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with creative software such as Adobe Creative Suite, project management tools, and an understanding of digital marketing platforms is essential. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills help you inspire teams and manage client expectations. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering impactful creative solutions that align with organizational goals and client needs.

What is the difference between Creative Summer vs Creative Intern?

AspectCreative SummerCreative Intern
Required CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates with a portfolioStudents or early-career individuals, often with some coursework in design or related fields
Work EnvironmentTemporary, project-based, often in agency or corporate settingsSimilar, often in agency, media, or advertising firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies to attract emerging talent during summer monthsCommonly used for entry-level roles to gain experience

Creative Summer programs and Creative Internships both target early-career individuals seeking industry experience. While Creative Summer roles are often short-term, project-focused opportunities for students or recent grads, Creative Interns typically work in a similar environment but may have more structured learning components. Both serve as stepping stones into creative careers, with overlapping credentials and work settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Creative jobs in California?

The most popular types of Creative jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Creative Summer jobs in California?

For Creative Summer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Summer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Summer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Creative Summer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Creative Summer job openings:

Creative Summer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Summer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,275 per year, or $16 per hour.

Creative Intern

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Doner
Marketing • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Donerexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Description
Future advertising moguls: Go from green to mad (wo)man in just one short summer of indentured servitude!*
*Actually, you'll get paid. We're not animals.
So, you want to be in adverting? Mom and Dad said, "Really?" But your passion for creative problem solving, obsession with new and exciting communication mediums, and desire to potentially change our cultural landscape muted their skepticism. Well, its time to stick it to dear old Mom and Dad.
Doner LA, a nimble, scrappy, creatively led extension of our big brother in Detroit, is looking for brilliant minds and hungry souls interested in pursuing a career in the ever-evolving craft of advertising. We are offering paid internships all summer long for people with backgrounds in art direction, copywriting and design.
If passionate, driven wannabe ad man or woman is how you describe yourself at parties, please read on and apply in the area(s) that appeal most to your interests and background.
*You must submit a portfolio to be considered for this position

Apply