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Game Design Intern Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

PD Instore

3D Design Intern

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

... Design Intern is an emerging creative contributor who supports the development of retail ... Interest in retail, branded environments, experiential design, fashion, gaming, digital culture, or ...

PD Instore

3D Design Intern

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Summary The 3D Design Intern is an emerging creative contributor who supports the development of ... Interest in retail, branded environments, experiential design, fashion, gaming, digital culture, or ...

All JobsGame Design Intern JobsGame Design Intern Jobs in Minnesota

Game Design Intern information

See Minnesota salary details

$8

$18

$36

How much do game design intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for game design intern in Minnesota is $18.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $21.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a Game Design Intern?

As a Game Design Intern, you’ll typically work on a variety of tasks such as prototyping gameplay mechanics, designing levels, documenting game features, and playtesting builds. You’ll often collaborate closely with designers, artists, and programmers, contributing your ideas in brainstorming sessions and providing feedback on in-development features. Interns may also support the team by researching trends or helping refine user experiences. This hands-on involvement offers a valuable opportunity to learn industry-standard tools and gain exposure to the full game development cycle.

What is the difference between Game Design Intern vs Game Developer Intern?

AspectGame Design InternGame Developer Intern
Required SkillsCreativity, game mechanics understanding, basic design toolsProgramming, coding, software development
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, creative departmentsDevelopment teams, coding environments
Typical TasksConcept creation, level design, prototypingWriting code, debugging, implementing features

Game Design Interns focus on conceptualizing game mechanics, designing levels, and creating prototypes, while Game Developer Interns work on coding, software development, and implementing game features. Both roles often collaborate but differ mainly in skill set and daily tasks, with design interns emphasizing creativity and planning, and developer interns concentrating on technical programming.

What does a Game Design Intern do?

A Game Design Intern assists game designers and development teams in creating and refining video game concepts, mechanics, and levels. Their responsibilities often include brainstorming ideas, prototyping gameplay elements, providing feedback on game features, and conducting playtests. Interns may also help document design decisions and collaborate with artists, programmers, and other team members to ensure the game is engaging and meets quality standards. This role is a great way to gain hands-on experience and learn about the game development process.

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

To thrive as a Game Design Intern, you generally need a solid understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and basic programming or design principles, often supported by coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and graphic or prototyping software is highly valuable. Creativity, teamwork, and strong communication skills help you contribute ideas and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for turning concepts into engaging gameplay experiences and for learning quickly in a dynamic industry.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Minnesota are:
Game Design Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Design Intern job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Internship, and 40% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,475 per year, or $19 per hour.

3D Design Intern

PD Instore

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

MISSION
PD Instore is a future-forward creator of brand solutions that enlightens, inspires, and transforms the consumer's experience.
ABOUT PD
Founded in 1938, PD is a world-renowned design-to-build partner that crafts custom, future-forward brand solutions for some of the largest brands in retail
Summary
The 3D Design Intern is an emerging creative contributor who supports the development of retail environments, displays, branded experiences, and visual concepts that align with PD's clients and creative direction. Working under the guidance of the Creative Director and design team, this role offers hands-on exposure to the creative process from concept development through execution.
This internship is ideal for a current student, recent graduate, or early-career designer with strong creative instincts, curiosity around emerging technologies and AI-assisted workflows, and an interest in retail, spatial, and experiential design.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
  • Support the design team in developing thoughtful, brand-right retail displays, environments, and visual concepts
  • Assist in creating presentation materials, renderings, mockups, and visual storytelling assets
  • Contribute ideas and references during concept development and creative reviews
  • Collaborate with designers, strategists, engineers, and account teams to support project execution
  • Explore modular and scalable design solutions that balance creativity with manufacturability
  • Participate in brainstorming, sketching, digital visualization, and production preparation
  • Help organize and prepare files, decks, and assets for internal reviews and client presentations
  • Stay curious about emerging creative tools, AI-assisted workflows, digital culture, and evolving design trends
  • Support multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
  • Performs other duties as assigned
  • Fosters a culture that values family, innovation, collaboration and empowerment
  • Follows all safety and workplace policies

Competencies and Skills
  • Strong creative instincts with interest in retail, brand, spatial, or experiential design

  • Familiarity with 3D design tools such as Blender, SketchUp, Rhino, 3ds Max, KeyShot, or related software
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite
  • Interest in digital culture, internet-native visual communication, and emerging creative technologies
  • AI-curious mindset with interest in using creative AI tools as part of concept development and workflow exploration
  • Experience with digital sketching tools such as Procreate or Adobe Fresco preferred
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Ability to take direction, interpret feedback, and learn quickly
  • Organized, adaptable, and eager to contribute in a team environment
  • Ability to demonstrate and apply our workplace values
  • Flexibility to travel between multiple PD locations
  • Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment

Education/Certification
  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Industrial Design, Environmental Design, Interactive Design, Architecture, or a related creative field

Experience
  • Portfolio, coursework, freelance work, or personal creative projects demonstrating strong visual thinking and creative potential preferred
  • Interest in retail, branded environments, experiential design, fashion, gaming, digital culture, or contemporary visual communication is a plus
  • Exposure to culturally diverse, urban, or globally influenced creative environments encouraged.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
  • This role is primarily based in a collaborative studio and office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
  • Occasional movement throughout office, production, or client environments may be required, along with handling presentation materials, samples, or prototypes.
  • Walking, sitting, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting may be required throughout the workday.

Benefits and perks we offer to full-time, regular employees
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • 4% 401k Match with 5% Employee Contribution
  • Paid Time Off
  • Parental Leave
  • 8 Paid Holidays
  • Flex Time
  • STD, LTD and Group Life Insurance
  • FSA and HSA Options
  • Voluntary
    • Life Insurance
    • Critical Illness Insurance
    • Accident Insurance
    • Legal and Identity Theft Plans
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Career Advancement
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Employee Recognition
  • English as a Second Language Education
  • Online Training Opportunities

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