Intern Interior Design Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL

This role offers an experienced interior designer the opportunity to lead and execute high-end hospitality and custom restaurant projects from concept through completion. You will translate conceptual ideas into detailed designs, manage project documentation and client correspondence, and mentor junior team members while collaborating closely with both creative and technical teams. The position is ideal for a well-rounded designer who enjoys hands-on design execution, project management, and contributing to a lively, collaborative studio culture.

• Execute design deliverables according to project schedules established by the Project Manager and Senior Designer.
• Lead the design execution work of project team members, including Designers, Design Assistants, and Interns, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Develop multiple design iterations and options for review, incorporating feedback from the Senior Designer and project leadership.
• Communicate design ideas quickly and clearly using hand sketches and visual storytelling techniques.
• Study and interpret plans, elevations, and details in CAD to develop accurate and coordinated design documentation.
• Translate conceptual designs into 3D models using SketchUp and create visualizations in Enscape to communicate design intent.
• Use Bluebeam effectively to mark up drawings, collaborate with internal teams, and communicate with external partners.
• Redline renderings, models, and prototypes produced internally or externally to align with overall design concepts.
• Inform and coordinate with the technical team when design-related questions arise, ensuring alignment between creative and technical deliverables.
• Independently manage assigned tasks on multiple projects under the direction of the Senior Designer, maintaining accountability for deadlines and quality.
• Delegate tasks and information to project team members to ensure that design deliverables meet schedule and scope requirements.
• Communicate with clients under the supervision of the Senior Designer to share project deliverables, gather feedback, and clarify design requirements.
• Provide training, guidance, and day-to-day support to Designer I and Design Assistants, fostering their professional development.
• Review Intern schedules and coordinate with Project Managers to align intern contributions with project needs.
• Track and document design changes and revisions, ensuring accurate integration into all design deliverables and documentation sets.
• Manage and prioritize tasks across multiple projects in collaboration with the Project Manager, adjusting to shifting timelines and priorities.
• Research and stay current with industry trends, best practices, and innovations in hospitality design and interior architecture.
• Contribute to the development of mood boards, FF&E packages, and design presentations for hospitality and restaurant projects.
• Participate in the design and coordination of custom millwork, furniture detailing, and technical drawings in collaboration with the technical team.
• Support technical documentation efforts, including coordination with overseas partners responsible for producing drawing sets.
• Engage in project management activities, including client correspondence, coordination with consultants, and oversight of project milestones.
• Mentor junior designers by sharing knowledge on design development, schematic design, space planning, and technical documentation.
• Support multiple phases of projects, from concept and schematic design through design development and construction documentation.
• Contribute to hospitality, custom restaurant, and retail projects, with opportunities to support hotel and residential work as the portfolio expands.
• Maintain a high level of organization and communication, ensuring that all stakeholders remain informed and aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture.
• 6–10 years of relevant experience in a high-end hospitality interiors firm.
• Proven experience supporting interior design projects from start to finish, including concept, design development, and implementation.
• Experience managing projects with at least 80% of responsibilities handled independently.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting junior designers.
• Strong interior design experience specifically within hospitality and custom restaurant projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for plans, elevations, details, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency in SketchUp for 3D modeling and the ability to interpret conceptual designs into accurate models.
• Experience using Enscape or similar tools to create visualizations that communicate design intent.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite for presentations, mood boards, and visual communication.
• Demonstrated ability in design development, schematic design, and custom design solutions.
• Experience with FF&E selection, specifications, and coordination for hospitality projects.
• Strong space planning skills for hospitality, restaurant, and related environments.
• Experience with restaurant design, including custom hospitality and retail environments.
• Capability to produce and review technical drawings, including millwork and furniture detailing.
• Project management and project coordination experience in a design-focused environment.
• High level of organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively use Bluebeam for markups and coordination.
• Willingness to listen, learn, and collaborate with team members across creative and technical disciplines.

• Experience with custom hospitality and retail projects; student housing experience is a plus.
• Experience on at least two custom restaurant projects is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to or interest in hotel and residential design, including high-end residential and mountain developments.
• Experience working with or coordinating outsourced drawing sets produced by external or overseas partners.
• Familiarity with FF&E specifications for hospitality environments and coordination with vendors and fabricators.
• Experience with millwork design, furniture detailing, and built-in drawings in collaboration with technical teams.
• Comfort working in a studio that is transitioning from separate creative and technical teams to more well-rounded design roles.
• Ability to communicate design concepts through hand sketching, mood boards, and visual presentations.
• Interest in industry trends, evolving best practices, and emerging tools in interior design and hospitality.
• Enthusiasm for mentoring interns and early-career designers and contributing to a collaborative studio culture.

The role is based in a beautiful, lively studio on the outskirts of a vibrant urban neighborhood, with an open office concept that encourages collaboration and frequent in-person interaction with clients and vendors. The environment is dog-friendly, creating a relaxed yet professional atmosphere. The standard schedule is Monday through Thursday in the office and Friday working from home, with a flexible start time between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., particularly accommodating those commuting from the suburbs. The typical workload averages 42–45 hours per week, with additional time as needed during critical deadlines. The studio is organized into creative and technical teams, including roles such as Creative Director, Design Director, Senior Designer, Designers, Visual Designer, Design Assistants, and technical staff; however, the organization is actively evolving toward a model of well-rounded designers who support multiple project phases. Drawing sets are currently outsourced to an overseas partner, while the internal creative team focuses on FF&E specifications and the technical team manages millwork, furniture detailing, and built-in drawings. The project portfolio centers on custom restaurant design, with ongoing work in hospitality and an expanding presence in hotel and residential sectors, including high-end homes and mountain developments. The culture emphasizes team bonding and shared experiences, including regular outings to a nearby brewery for informal meetings and a dedicated weekend retreat each summer for team building. The position offers a structured paid time off program, including 10 days of PTO in the first year, increasing over tenure, as well as 10.5 days of holiday pay and a full week off between Christmas and New Year’s, in addition to key holidays and a birthday half-day, supporting a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $40.86/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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