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Intern Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Morrison Interiors

Interior Design Intern

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Price out designs for client proposals * Support Design Projects by being a valuable member of the team What position fits you best? * A Design Intern is completing a college degree in design or ...

Tumo Designs

Marketing Intern

La Verne, CA

$15 - $20/hr

Marketing Intern - College Credits We are seeking a Marketing Intern to join our fast-paced, creative environment This is a work at home position. Coming to our office is not required.

Transdev

Operations Intern

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$22/hr

Various Transdev Divisions |Duration: 8 Weeks |Type: Full-Time Internship About the Program Transdev is seeking a motivated intern for an immersive, eight-week rotational program designed to build ...

PDF Solutions

Web Designer Intern

Santa Clara, CA

$40 - $75/hr

About the role PDF Solutions is looking for a creative and technically capable Web Design & Development contractor / Intern to help design and build a new website as part of PDF.com. This is a hands ...

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All JobsIntern Designer JobsIntern Designer Jobs in California

Intern Designer information

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$9

$19

$36

How much do intern designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for intern designer in California is $19.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $21.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a design intern do?

A design intern assists professional designers by creating visual concepts, developing layouts, and supporting project tasks using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. They gain hands-on experience in the design process, often working on branding, marketing materials, or digital content under supervision. The role typically involves learning industry standards and improving technical skills while contributing to real projects.

What is an Intern Designer?

An Intern Designer is a student or recent graduate who works temporarily in a design-related role, typically to gain practical experience and develop their skills. Intern Designers assist senior designers and teams with tasks like research, concept development, creating visual assets, and participating in project meetings. This role helps them learn about industry standards, workflows, and professional expectations while building their portfolio for future job opportunities.

What is the difference between Intern Designer vs Junior Designer?

AspectIntern DesignerJunior Designer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed relevant educationUsually holds a degree or diploma in design or related field
Work EnvironmentLearning-focused, supervised, often in internship programsEntry-level professional, more independent but still supervised
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by design firms, agencies, or companiesDesign firms, creative agencies, in-house design teams

The main difference between an Intern Designer and a Junior Designer is experience and responsibility. Intern Designers are typically students or recent graduates gaining practical experience, while Junior Designers are entry-level professionals with some work experience. Interns focus on learning and assisting, whereas Junior Designers handle more independent tasks and contribute to projects more actively.

Is $20 an hour good for an internship?

For an intern designer, $20 an hour is generally considered above average for unpaid or low-paid internships, which often pay between minimum wage and $15 per hour. However, pay rates vary by location, company size, and industry standards, so it's important to compare with local market rates and consider the experience and skills gained during the internship.

How much do design interns make?

Design interns typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on the company, location, and level of experience. Some internships may be unpaid or offer stipends, especially for students or in competitive markets. Internships often provide opportunities to develop skills in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma while gaining industry experience.

What types of projects do Intern Designers typically work on, and how much creative input can they expect to have?

Intern Designers are often involved in a variety of projects, such as assisting with design mockups, supporting branding initiatives, and contributing to digital or print collateral. While initial tasks might be more supportive, many organizations encourage interns to contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions or design critiques. Regular collaboration with senior designers and cross-functional teams helps interns develop practical skills and gain feedback. Over time, motivated interns can expect increasing levels of responsibility and the chance to take ownership of smaller projects.

Is 22 too old for an internship?

Intern Designer roles are open to candidates of all ages, including those who are 22. Age is generally not a barrier, and many internships value skills, portfolio quality, and enthusiasm over age, especially for creative roles like design. Employers often seek diverse perspectives and may prefer candidates with some prior education or experience in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite.

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

To thrive as an Intern Designer, you generally need a solid understanding of design principles, creativity, and proficiency in relevant design software, often supported by coursework or a degree in graphic or visual design. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Sketch is typically expected, and a portfolio showcasing your work is highly beneficial. Strong communication, openness to feedback, and time management are valuable soft skills that help you adapt and grow within a team. These skills and qualities are essential for producing high-quality design work, learning quickly, and contributing effectively to creative projects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Intern Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Intern Designer job openings:
Intern Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Intern Designer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,777 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Designer III, Interior Design

Ware Malcomb

San Ramon, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Are you ready to join a growth-oriented team where creativity meets innovation? At Ware Malcomb, we are a dynamic and forward-thinking design firm committed to pushing the boundaries. Our team-oriented, collaborative approach ensures that every project is a blend of visionary design, seamless project delivery, and we are actively engaged with both the community and the industry. Discover our vibrant culture to get an inside look into life at Ware Malcomb and the programs we offer. https://waremalcomb.com/life-at-ware-malcomb/ 

As a Designer III at Ware Malcomb, you will create innovative concepts and documentation for interior design projects. You will present design options, shape client goals, and build strong client relationships while driving design excellence. You will guide the design process, collaborate with project teams, and ensure project outcomes meet design intent.
Your Role

Responsible for the execution of (or providing direction to Design I or Designer II) of the following:

  • Support Sr Interior Designer with all design communication and design presentations with Client and internally.
  • Introducing and developing design solutions that meet the client’s needs on time and budget.
  • Design and execute different project phases under the leadership supervision.
  • Space planning & Programming.
  • Creation of design concepts.
  • Mood boards/ look and feel for client presentations.
  • Creation of material selections, finish plans, and specifications.
  • Prepare and review interior design documentation in Revit and AutoCAD.
  • 3D renderings and computer illustrations.
  • Meet with furniture dealers, product reps, and fabricators to meet overall project design goals.
  • Take a leading role in design, documentation, and coordination from Concept through the Construction Administration phase.
  • Responds to submittals during the CA phase.
Qualifications
  • 7+ years' experience in Interior Architecture & Design.
  • Preferred Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited Interior Architectural related program.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
  • Excellent presentation skills. Ability to effectively present information.
  • Strong organizational and analytical skills.
  • Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
  • Ability to work independently to solve problems involving multiple options.
  • Ability to understand and carry out general instructions. Requires intermediate analytical and quantitative skills.
  • Ability to think strategically while balancing short-term priorities and long-term objectives.
  • Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and practical decision-making to support business and team goals.
  • Ability to provide clear direction and mentorship to Intern, Designer I or II to create comprehensive design packages.
  • Ability to support design presentation to Client and collect/implement feedback.
  • Proficiency in Revit documentation, Revit 3D & rendering, and BIM 360 is a must.
  • Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook. 
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Proficiency in SketchUp and/or Rhino.
  • Knowledge of 3D rendering software such as Enscape and Lumion.
  • Knowledge of building code. 
This is a full-time, long-term position.
 
Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a dynamic, forward-thinking commercial real estate design firm providing professional architecture, interior design, civil engineering, branding, building measurement, structural engineering and MEP engineering services to clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, multifamily, retail, hospitality and public/institutional projects.
 
The firm is also ranked among the top 10 Architecture/Engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the Top 30 Interior Design Firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit waremalcomb.com.