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Design Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Renewal by Andersen

Design Consultant

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$60K - $110K/yr

Job Details Due to our continued year over year growth, we are looking to add an in-home design consultant for the Johnson County area. We have a successful marketing mix and we generate and set the ...

Kidwell

Low Voltage - Design Engineer

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$91K - $125K/yr

Work with Virtual Construction Team for providing construction documents. * Assist project managers and job foreman to ensure the correct design is implemented for customers. Do You Have What It ...

Varsity Tutors

Graphic Design Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$40/hr

About the Job The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Graphic Design tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the ...

Varsity Tutors

Graphic Design Tutor

Iowa City, IA · Remote

$40/hr

About the Job The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Graphic Design tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the ...

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All JobsDesign Assistant JobsDesign Assistant Jobs in Iowa

Design Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$23

$36

How much do design assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for design assistant in Iowa is $23.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.08 and $26.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Design Assistants face when collaborating with senior designers and clients?

Design Assistants often navigate balancing creative input with following the vision set by senior designers and clients. Communication is key, as misunderstandings can arise regarding project expectations, deadlines, or feedback. Additionally, adapting to shifting priorities and managing multiple tasks simultaneously can be challenging, but these experiences help develop multitasking and problem-solving skills. Building strong relationships with team members and clients fosters a supportive work environment and facilitates professional growth.

What is the 70/30 rule in interior design?

The 70/30 rule in interior design suggests that 70% of a space should be composed of neutral or cohesive elements, while 30% can feature accent colors, patterns, or bold pieces. As a design assistant, understanding this principle helps in creating balanced and visually appealing interiors by guiding color schemes and furniture choices.

What is the difference between Design Assistant vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign AssistantGraphic Designer
CredentialsAssociate's degree or related certificationBachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related field
Work EnvironmentSupportive role in design teams, often in studios or corporate settingsIndependent or team-based projects, creative agencies, or in-house departments
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with design tasks, preparing materials, organizing projectsCreating visual concepts, designing layouts, producing final artwork

While both roles involve visual design, a Design Assistant primarily supports senior designers by handling preparatory and organizational tasks. A Graphic Designer takes on the core creative responsibilities, producing original designs and visual content. The roles often overlap in work environment and credentials, but differ in scope and level of creative independence.

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

To thrive as a Design Assistant, you need a solid grasp of design principles, proficiency in graphic design or interior design basics, and a relevant educational background such as a degree or diploma in design. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, or SketchUp is commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly help you stand out in supporting senior designers and collaborating with clients. These competencies ensure efficient workflow, high-quality deliverables, and effective teamwork in fast-paced design environments.

What are Design Assistants?

Design Assistants are professionals who support designers or design teams in various creative industries, such as fashion, interior, graphic, or product design. Their responsibilities typically include assisting with research, organizing materials, preparing presentations, managing schedules, and helping with the execution of design projects. Design Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring that projects run smoothly and efficiently by handling administrative and creative tasks. They often collaborate closely with senior designers, clients, and vendors to bring creative concepts to life.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Design jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Design Assistant jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Design Assistant job openings:
Design Assistant jobs near you
Design Engineer - Aviation Infrastructure

Design Engineer - Aviation Infrastructure

Bolton & Menk, Inc

Des Moines, IA

$162K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Aviation Transportation team in our Ames office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Midwest, Southeast, and beyond.

In this civil engineering role, we are looking to add an EIT who will help foster our mission that All People Should Live in Safe, Sustainable and Beautiful Communities! The majority of your time will be spent assisting project managers and project engineers in design and construction phase activities on municipal airport and Aviation Transportation projects.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Assist Project Engineers with design and construction phase activities on municipal airport and Aviation Transportation projects
  • Perform basic design computations, preliminary layout and design, research and prepare rough drafts of preliminary reports and feasibility studies
  • Assist with project plans and specifications, preparing cost and quantity take-off estimates
  • Construction observation activities may include performing construction staking, performing construction administration duties such as documenting activities, measuring and testing, providing general oversight, and interacting with contractors, sub-contractors, residents and City staff.

What We Are Looking For:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college
  • Certified Engineer-in-Training or able to obtain within 12 months of hire
  • Prior experience in either infrastructure design and/or construction observation
  • Working knowledge and skills in CAD and design software.(i.e. AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation)
  • Requires frequent travel during construction season
  • Possess a valid drivers license as travel to various facilities and job sites may be required

Bolton & Menk will currently not be providing visa sponsorship or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,000 employees throughout more than 40 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/

OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required after any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.

It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer including disability and vets.