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Designer Internship Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Interior Designer I Location: Capitol Heights, MD Department: Client Services - Design The ... internship, or related design/project support experience preferred * Working knowledge of AutoCAD ...

Interior Designer I Location: Capitol Heights, MD Department: Client Services - Design The ... internship, or related design/project support experience preferred * Working knowledge of AutoCAD ...

UI / UX Designer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$50K - $90K/yr

Design portfolio demonstrating UI/UX work from previous projects, internships, or academic work ... Experience designing dark mode exclusive applications * Experience designing for colorblind ...

Showing results 21-40

Designer Internship information

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

To thrive as a Designer Intern, you need a strong foundation in design principles, creativity, and proficiency with visual communication supported by relevant coursework or a portfolio. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or Figma is typically expected. Strong collaboration, openness to feedback, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to produce impactful designs, learn quickly in a team environment, and contribute meaningfully to projects.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a designer internship?

As a Designer Intern, you’ll typically work on a variety of projects, such as assisting with the creation of digital assets, contributing to branding materials, or participating in user interface design. Interns often collaborate closely with senior designers and cross-functional teams, gaining hands-on experience through real client briefs and internal initiatives. You may also be involved in brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and learning to use industry-standard tools. This exposure will help you build a strong portfolio while developing practical skills in a fast-paced, creative environment.

What is the difference between Designer Internship vs Graphic Design Assistant?

AspectDesigner InternshipGraphic Design Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of design-related programsExperience or education in graphic design, often entry-level
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often in creative agencies or companiesSupport role within design teams, often in offices or remote
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies to train and evaluate future designersUsed by organizations to assist with ongoing design projects

In summary, a Designer Internship is typically a temporary, educational position for students or recent graduates to gain experience, while a Graphic Design Assistant is a support role for entry-level professionals assisting with ongoing design tasks. Both roles are common in creative industries but serve different stages of career development.

What is a designer internship?

Designer internships are temporary positions that allow students or recent graduates to gain practical experience working with professional design teams. These internships offer hands-on exposure to various design processes, such as graphic design, product design, or UI/UX design, depending on the company. Interns often assist with real projects, learn industry-standard tools, and receive mentorship from experienced designers. The goal is to help interns build their portfolios, develop professional skills, and establish connections in the design industry.
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Designer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Designer Internship jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Designer Internship job openings:
Infographic showing various Designer Internship job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 65% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Data Visualization Fall 2026 Internship

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Washington, DC • On-site

$1.0K - $2.0K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Internship Opportunities
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. FDD conducts in-depth research, produces accurate and timely analyses, identifies illicit activities, and provides policy options - all with the aim of strengthening U.S. national security and reducing or eliminating threats posed by adversaries and enemies of the United States and other free nations. FDD does not accept donations from any foreign governments.
About FDD's Internship Program
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies offers a variety of internship opportunities designed to provide meaningful professional development. Interns participate in a twice-monthly speaker series featuring senior staff members in a small-group setting and are encouraged to strengthen their academic and analytical skills through close collaboration with FDD scholars and experts. The organization offers stipends and can assist students seeking academic credit; however, stipend eligibility requirements must be met. FDD provides both hybrid and remote internship options.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Data Visualization Department
FDD's visuals team is seeking a full-time or part-time Data Visualization Intern to assist with data analysis, visual storytelling, and interactive graphics. The selected candidate will support the creation of compelling visual representations of complex foreign policy and national security data. This includes collecting and analyzing datasets, building interactive web graphics, designing data-driven visuals for digital platforms, and developing engaging content for FDD's social media channels. Previous knowledge of and skills in Figma, React, and JavaScript are preferred. Experience with data scraping and web development principles is highly valued. An interest in international affairs and national security is also a plus.
Eligibility
  • Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: Data Science, Visual Communication Design, Data Journalism, Computer Science, Statistics, International Relations, Political Science, and/or a relevant STEM field of study.
  • Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
  • Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week, remote or in-office.
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
  3. Portfolio or links to relevant data visualization or web development projects
  4. Unofficial transcript copy

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positions, please submit a separate application for each position of interest.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.