ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Illustrator Internship Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Teamwass

Fall 2026 Internship - Graphic Design

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$17 - $22.75/hr

Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs, withhighcompetency in Illustrator, Photoshop ... Laptop with Adobe programs suite Internship Program Details * Runs from September 9,2026,toDecember ...

Red Edge LLC

Design/Graphics Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $23/hr

Grab an internship with the design team at Red Edge! Red Edge, a digital advocacy firm that serves ... Possess basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, or Indesign) * Use immense ...

Red Edge

Design/Graphics Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $23/hr

Grab an internship with the design team at Red Edge! Red Edge, a digital advocacy firm that serves ... Possess basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, or Indesign) * Use immense ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIllustrator JobsIllustrator Internship JobsIllustrator Internship Jobs in Washington

Illustrator Internship information

See Washington salary details

$5

$14

$22

How much do illustrator internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for illustrator internship in Washington is $14.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an illustrator internship?

An Illustrator Internship is a temporary position designed for students or recent graduates who want to gain hands-on experience in creating visual artwork for various media, such as books, advertisements, games, or websites. Interns work under the guidance of professional illustrators and often assist with sketching, digital illustration, and editing tasks. This internship provides valuable insight into the creative industry, helps build a professional portfolio, and can lead to networking opportunities and future job offers.

What are illustrator internship opportunities?

Illustrator internship opportunities provide you with valuable training and experience with professional illustrators. Some employers refer to their illustrator intern as an artist assistant, but you may not have as many responsibilities as a paid artist assistant. In some cases, you actually work with the artist assistant and help them with various administrative and clerical duties. Your role also depends on the kind of illustration you study. If you are studying computer animation or 3D graphic design, you have more technical duties, such as rendering and coding. If you work with a more traditional graphic designer or illustrator, you draw and sketch.

What types of projects and tasks can an illustrator intern typically expect to work on during their internship?

As an Illustrator Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of creative projects such as designing digital illustrations for marketing materials, assisting with storyboards, supporting senior illustrators on client projects, and contributing to the visual development of branding assets. Interns often collaborate closely with graphic designers, marketing teams, and art directors, gaining exposure to the full creative process from concept to final artwork. This hands-on experience helps interns build a diverse portfolio and develop practical skills that are highly valued in the industry.

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

To thrive as an Illustrator Intern, you need a strong grasp of drawing fundamentals, composition, and color theory, often supported by a portfolio showcasing your artistic abilities. Familiarity with industry-standard digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate is typically expected. Creativity, attention to detail, and openness to feedback are essential soft skills that help you excel in collaborative creative environments. These skills ensure you can produce compelling artwork, adapt to project needs, and contribute effectively to a professional design team.

What is the difference between Illustrator Internship vs Graphic Designer?

AspectIllustrator InternshipGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in art, design, or related fieldFormal education in graphic design, visual arts, or related field often preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often in creative agencies or in-house design teamsFull-time or freelance roles in various industries, including advertising, publishing, and digital media
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies to train and evaluate potential future employeesEstablished professional role for creating visual content across media

While an Illustrator Internship provides hands-on experience and training in illustration within a temporary or entry-level position, a Graphic Designer is a full-time professional responsible for creating visual concepts for various media. Internships serve as a stepping stone into the industry, whereas graphic design roles involve ongoing project work and client interaction.

More about Illustrator Internship jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Illustrator jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Illustrator jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Illustrator Internship jobs in Washington?

For Illustrator Internship jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Illustrator Internship jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Illustrator Internship jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Illustrator Internship jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Illustrator Internship job openings:

Illustrator Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Illustrator Internship job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 69% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,663 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

Fall 2026 Creative Design Intern (DC)

Washington, DC • On-site

Internship Opportunities
See more jobs at Internship Opportunitiesexternal

$24/hr

Full-time, Internship

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description:

Invariant, a bipartisan government relations and communications firm providing strategic advice to companies, trade associations, nonprofits, and individuals, seeks a Creative Design Intern for fall 2026. Preference will be given to candidates able to commit to a full-time internship. This is a hands-on role where you'll be working directly with our Art Director on real client work from day one.


Responsibilities

  • Execute design production across client accounts — social graphics, presentation decks, digital assets, and print collateral.
  • Jump into existing Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign files to make edits, updates, and versioned exports.
  • Support the development and build-out of branded PowerPoint templates.
  • Manage and track your own workload—logging requests, updating statuses, and flagging blockers proactively.
  • Conduct light research as needed to support creative briefs and campaign concepts.
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Director and broader digital team on active accounts.

Qualifications

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite—Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
  • Working knowledge of Figma—ability to navigate files, make edits, and export assets. We use Figma for digital asset creation more than UI web projects.
  • Strong attention to detail—pixel-perfect matters here.
  • A proactive, self-starting attitude—you follow up, check in, and ask the right questions without being asked. You flag when you're stuck and keep things moving.
  • Ability to manage multiple requests simultaneously without losing track of anything.
  • Copywriting or content skills are a bonus, but not required.

Nice to have: 

  • Experience with PowerPoint template design.
  • Familiarity with project management tools like Basecamp.
  • Interest in public affairs, communications, or political strategy.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interns will begin their term with Invariant in person on August 31, 2026. The compensation for this position is $19/hour for undergraduate candidates and $24/hour for graduate candidates.


Invariant is committed to creating a diverse culture and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Requirements: