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Illustration Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Illustration Internship information

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How much do illustration internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for illustration internship in the United States is $19.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Illustration Internship vs Graphic Design Internship?

AspectIllustration InternshipGraphic Design Internship
Required SkillsDrawing, painting, visual storytellingLayout, typography, digital design
Work EnvironmentCreative studios, publishing housesAdvertising agencies, media companies
Industry UsagePublishing, entertainment, artMarketing, branding, digital media
Common Search IntentFocus on artistic skills and illustration projectsFocus on digital and visual communication

While both internships involve visual creativity, an Illustration Internship emphasizes traditional and digital drawing skills, storytelling through images, and working in artistic environments. In contrast, a Graphic Design Internship centers on digital layout, branding, and communication design. Understanding these differences helps aspiring interns choose the right path based on their skills and career goals.

What types of projects can I expect to work on during an Illustration Internship?

As an Illustration Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of projects such as creating visual assets for marketing campaigns, assisting with editorial illustrations for publications, developing concept art, and supporting the design team with client presentations or social media content. Interns often collaborate closely with art directors, senior illustrators, and graphic designers, gaining exposure to the full creative process from brainstorming to final execution. This hands-on experience helps build a diverse portfolio and provides insight into professional standards and workflows within the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Illustration Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Illustration Intern, you need strong drawing abilities, a foundational understanding of design principles, and a relevant portfolio or art-related education. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) and drawing tablets is typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and effective communication make candidates stand out in collaborative environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing high-quality artwork, adapting to project needs, and contributing positively to creative teams.

What is an Illustration Internship?

An Illustration Internship is a temporary, supervised work experience where aspiring illustrators develop their skills by working with professional artists, design studios, publishing companies, or creative agencies. Interns typically assist with creating illustrations for books, advertisements, websites, or marketing materials. This role allows students or recent graduates to gain industry experience, build a professional portfolio, and learn about the workflow and expectations of a career in illustration.
More about Illustration Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Illustration Internship jobs? Cities with the most Illustration Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Illustration jobs? The most popular types of Illustration jobs are:
What states have the most Illustration Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Illustration Internship jobs include:
Infographic showing various Illustration Internship job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,299 per year, or $19.9 per hour.
Science Illustration Intern

Science Illustration Intern

Xerces Society Inc

Portland, OR • On-site

$24/hr

Part-time, Internship

PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Internship
Description
JOB TITLE: Science Illustration Intern
LOCATION: Remote position within the United States. Candidates must have a personal office location suitable for work purposes, with broadband internet access, and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their assigned work location.
COMPENSATION: $24 per hour
STATUS & SCHEDULE: Part time, approximately 20 hours/week.
DURATION: September - December 2026, flexible based upon student's academic schedule
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 31, 2026
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: xerces.org/jobs
Xerces provides accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org with your specific request.
JOIN US!
At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
As the Scientific Illustration Intern for the Xerces Society, you will build your portfolio and gain experience in science illustration by creating visual media that advances public understanding of invertebrates and advocacy for their conservation. This is a remote position at 20 hours per week from September through December. The intern will be a member of the communications team and work directly with many Xerces Society staff. The internship is made possible by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation .
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Produce scientific illustrations, animations, and/or data visualizations of invertebrates and the conservation issues impacting them. Projects will include developing print and digital media to illustrate invertebrate morphology, depict ecological interactions, and promote programs like the Xerces Society habitat kits.
  • Work with the communications team and conservation program staff to identify and produce visual storytelling opportunities for Xerces conservation initiatives.
  • Participate in relevant staff meetings and events.
  • Participate in Xerces Society program experiences, as available.
  • Present and exhibit final illustrations through a Xerces Society platform.

Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED
  • Ability to portray natural subjects in a scientific manner in one or more mediums
  • Experience creating artwork from life and from photo references
  • Ability to meet deadlines and incorporate feedback
  • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
  • Strong time, project management, and collaboration skills

PREFERRED
  • Ability to communicate scientific concepts through data visualization, and/or
  • Experience creating animated short videos

QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED
  • Current undergraduate or graduate student in the Fall 2026 semester, pursuing a degree or certificate in scientific illustration, fine arts, graphic design, or similar related field of study.

PREFERRED
  • Interest in ecology, conservation, and science communication
  • Passion to develop skills in scientific illustration

BENEFITS: This position includes paid time off (PTO) accrued starting at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule)
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Include a portfolio of 5-10 illustration samples that demonstrate skill and experience in scientific illustration of wildlife and natural subjects. 3-5 additional samples of data visualization or animation may be included, if applicable. Please upload one pdf of all samples. You may add links and brief narrative context as needed. Include a cover letter describing how you fulfill the qualifications listed above and how you hope the internship will enhance your professional development.
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: xerces.org/jobs
TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
MUTUAL ARBITRATION: Xerces policies require that employees accept a binding mutual arbitration agreement and process for dispute resolution as an alternative to a jury/trial process. Acceptance of the agreement is a condition of employment, and candidates are offered a position with a minimum of 72 hours to consider.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Xerces Society is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.