Design Research Intern Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Little, nationally recognized as a “Best Firm to Work For” and one of the nation’s most progressive design firms, is seeking a Fall 2026 Intern for our growing Brand Experience Studio in our Durham, NC office.

A Bit More About Little:
Little is a growing transdisciplinary design firm dedicated to the belief that the best design solutions emerge through the creative collaboration of people from all fields of design. We are a team of architects, interior designers, engineers, graphic designers, landscape architects, strategists, sustainability specialists, and technologists passionate about creating breakthrough ideas that improve performance for our clients and create a better future for people.
Within Little, the Brand Experience Studio develops immersive branded environments, experiential graphics, signage and wayfinding systems, placemaking strategies, digital experiences, and brand identity systems that connect people to place. Our team collaborates across Little’s Workplace, Retail, Healthcare, Community, Higher Education, and Mixed-Use practices to craft meaningful, memorable experiences that integrate brand, architecture, interiors, and storytelling.
A bit more about this Internship Opportunity:
We're looking for a creative, curious, and collaborative design student with strong communication and organizational skills and a passion for experiential design, visual storytelling, and spatial thinking.
As a Fall Intern within the Brand Experience Studio, you'll work alongside experiential graphic designers, art directors, architects, and interior designers on projects that blend brand strategy, graphics, and the built environment. This internship is designed to provide exposure to the full design process - from concept development and research through visualization, documentation, and implementation. Internships are paid.

Activities may include:
• Assisting with experiential graphic and branded environment concepts
• Supporting signage and wayfinding strategy development
• Creating presentation graphics, diagrams, and storytelling materials
• Developing 2D and/or 3D visualizations and renderings
• Assisting with environmental graphic documentation and scaled elevations
• Conducting design research, precedent studies, and site surveys
• Supporting material exploration and mock-up studies
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams across architecture and interiors
• Assisting with client presentations and internal design reviews

The successful applicant will gain exposure to a diverse range of project types and scales while learning how experiential design integrates into architecture, interiors, placemaking, and user experience.
You’re ideal for this Internship if:
• You are curious and creative, have a passion for problem-solving and critical thinking, and able to collaborate in a team setting
• You are a rising 4th or 5th year or master's student
• You have knowledge of Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Miro, and Sketch-up; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications
• Rising 4th or 5th year undergraduate student or graduate student
• Strong graphic communication, typography, and layout skills
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop required)
• Experience with one or more of the following is a plus:
o CAD Tools
o SketchUp
o Miro
o Blender
• Conceptual sketching and visualization skills are highly valued
• Interest in environmental graphics, wayfinding, branding, and spatial storytelling

What You’ll Gain:
• Hands-on experience working on real-world projects across multiple market sectors
• Exposure to the intersection of branding, architecture, interiors, and experiential design
• Mentorship from experienced creative leaders and multidisciplinary teams
• Opportunities to participate in design critiques, workshops, and collaborative ideation sessions
• Experience contributing to projects from early concept through implementation

Little is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, Little prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic
protected by law. Little is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact careers@littleonline.com or a member of our HR Team