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Game Design Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Math Intern

Chicago, IL · On-site

$25/hr

This program will offer an introduction to the industry while you help our math team utilize a data driven approach to game design. This is intended to be a three-month internship that could be ...

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Game Design Internship information

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$9

$19

$36

How much do game design internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for game design internship in the United States is $19.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Game Design Internship?

A Game Design Internship is a temporary position that allows students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in the game development industry. Interns typically assist with various aspects of game design, such as creating game concepts, designing levels, testing gameplay, and providing feedback on user experience. These internships are valuable for building a portfolio, making industry connections, and learning industry-standard tools and processes. They often work closely with experienced designers and development teams to understand the full cycle of game creation.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on during a Game Design Internship?

As a Game Design Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on projects, such as designing game levels, prototyping gameplay mechanics, and contributing to brainstorming sessions with the design team. You'll often collaborate with artists, programmers, and producers to help implement features or refine existing gameplay elements. Interns are typically given opportunities to playtest games, provide feedback, and document their design ideas. The fast-paced and creative environment provides valuable exposure to the full game development pipeline, making it an excellent learning experience.

What is the difference between Game Design Internship vs Game Development Internship?

AspectGame Design InternshipGame Development Internship
Required SkillsCreativity, storytelling, level designProgramming, software engineering, technical skills
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, creative departmentsProgramming teams, technical departments
Industry UsageUsed in game studios focusing on design and user experienceUsed in studios focusing on coding and technical development
Common Search IntentUnderstanding design roles in gamingUnderstanding technical roles in gaming

Game Design Internships focus on creative aspects like storytelling, level design, and user experience, while Game Development Internships emphasize programming and technical development. Both roles are essential in game studios but cater to different skill sets and career paths.

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 need a foundational understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, often supported by coursework or personal projects in game development. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and graphic design software, as well as basic scripting knowledge, is typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and strong communication are vital soft skills to effectively collaborate and share ideas within a development team. These skills and qualities are important because they enable interns to contribute meaningful ideas, adapt to feedback, and support the fast-paced, collaborative nature of game development.
More about Game Design Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Game Design Internship jobs? Cities with the most Game Design Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs? The most popular types of Game Design jobs are:
What states have the most Game Design Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Game Design Internship jobs include:
Infographic showing various Game Design Internship job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,304 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Pre-Viz Intern (Unpaid for Course Credit Only)

Dreamscape Learn

Culver City, CA

$16.50 - $22/hr

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Pre-Visualization Intern to support our content, product, and creative teams. This internship is designed for students interested in storytelling, visual planning, immersive media, or production workflows. You'll help translate ideas into visual concepts through layouts and early visual mockups that guide production and development.This role offers hands-on experience in pre-production processes while working closely with cross-functional teams.


What You'll Do

  • Assist in creating pre-visualization materials including shot layouts, and visual sequences
  • Translate written concepts or scripts into visual plans and mockups
  • Support early ideation for interactive, cinematic, or experiential content
  • Collaborate with designers, artists, and producers to refine visual concepts
  • Help organize and update visual assets and reference materials
  • Participate in creative reviews and brainstorming sessions

Requirements

What We're Looking For
  • Someone eager to understand more about game engines and other real world production practices. 
  • Currently enrolled student pursuing a degree in Animation, Film, Game Design, Visual Arts, Media Arts, or a related field
  • Strong visual storytelling skills
  • Familiarity with tools such as Photoshop, Unity, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Premiere, or similar (not all required)
  • Basic understanding of camera angles, composition, and pacing
  • Ability to take direction and incorporate feedback
    Organized, dependable, and eager to learn
Nice to Have
  • Experience with animatics
  • Interest in VR/AR, immersive media, or interactive experiences
  • Familiarity with 3D blocking or real-time engines
  • Portfolio or samples of visual work (class projects welcome)

Benefits

  • Understanding real world applications of concepts such as "Version control" and "prefabs", amongst others. 
  • Real-world experience in pre-production and visualization workflows
  • Mentorship from experienced creative professionals
  • Exposure to cross-disciplinary collaboration
  • Portfolio-ready work and professional feedback
  • School credit (per academic requirements)

Disclaimer: This internship is an unpaid educational opportunity intended to provide training and experience related to Human Resource Management. It is offered for academic credit only in connection with an accredited educational program. Participation is designed for the benefit of the student and does not create an employment relationship. Interns will not displace regular employees and will work under close supervision to support their learning experience. Completion of this internship does not entitle the intern to a job at Dreamscape Learn (or continued employment) at the conclusion of the program.