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Lighting Design Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Refinery

AI Design Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $25/hr

We are seeking an AI Design Intern who can commit to regular office hours (Monday - Friday PST ... Blender or similar 3D software experience: basic block-outs, camera and lighting setups, depth maps ...

New

The Refinery Creative

AI Design Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $25/hr

We are seeking an AI Design Intern who can commit to regular office hours (Monday - Friday PST ... Blender or similar 3D software experience: basic block-outs, camera and lighting setups, depth maps ...

New

Hasana, Inc.

Intern/Volunteer Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Must have solid understanding of studio and location photography, lighting, production, and the printing process * Must consistently exhibit sharp design skills * Must be highly experienced in ...

STMicroelectronics

Multimedia Intern

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

As this role will combine graphic design, video production, and event support, you will be able to ... lighting/grip, scriptwriting, storyboarding and photography Interest in creating content for ...

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Lighting Design Intern information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lighting design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lighting Design Intern, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, basic design concepts, and often a background in architecture, theatre, or engineering. Familiarity with lighting design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and visual rendering tools, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office, is typically required. Strong communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills help interns collaborate effectively and contribute innovative ideas. These capabilities are essential for producing high-quality lighting solutions and supporting project teams in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a lighting design intern expect to handle during their internship?

As a Lighting Design Intern, you can expect to assist with tasks such as drafting lighting layouts, conducting site visits, creating presentation materials, and performing calculations for lighting levels. Interns often work closely with senior designers and engineers, gaining exposure to different phases of project development, including conceptual design, technical documentation, and sometimes even on-site installation support. This role is a great opportunity to build practical skills using industry-standard software (like AutoCAD and Revit), collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and learn how design decisions impact overall project outcomes.

What does a lighting design intern do?

A Lighting Design Intern assists experienced lighting designers in creating lighting plans for various projects, such as theaters, events, architecture, or film. Typical tasks include researching lighting equipment, helping with technical drawings, attending site visits, setting up lighting equipment, and collaborating with other design team members. The role provides hands-on experience and exposure to industry-standard tools and techniques, making it an excellent entry point for those interested in lighting design careers.

What is the difference between Lighting Design Intern vs Lighting Designer?

AspectLighting Design InternLighting Designer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a relevant degree or certification in lighting design, architecture, or related fieldsProfessional certification or degree in lighting design, architecture, or related fields, with more experience
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, assisting on projects under supervision, often in architectural or entertainment industriesFull-time professional roles, leading projects, client interactions, and design development
Employer & Industry UsageArchitectural firms, entertainment companies, event production, and design studiosDesign firms, architectural companies, entertainment venues, and corporate clients

The main difference between a Lighting Design Intern and a Lighting Designer is experience and responsibility. Interns are in learning roles, assisting with projects, while Lighting Designers are experienced professionals managing entire projects and client relationships.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lighting Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Lighting Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Lighting Design Intern jobs in California? For Lighting Design Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lighting Design Intern jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lighting Design Intern jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lighting Design Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Lighting Design Intern job openings:
Lighting Design Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lighting Design Intern job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

AI Design Intern

The Refinery

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

$20 - $25/hr

Temporary

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

The Refinery is an award-winning entertainment advertising agency in Los Angeles, CA. We work with all of the major studios producing social, digital, and print creative campaigns for theatrical, television & streamer clients.

We are looking for candidates who embody our core values. Refiners are talented, kind, client-focused, ego-free, and passionate. While we operate virtually, we've built a culture rooted in connection and care, where people genuinely support one another. We work hard to make sure everyone feels like part of the team.

Enough about us, here's what we're looking for:
We are seeking an AI Design Intern who can commit to regular office hours (Monday - Friday PST), with the goal of joining the team full-time at the end of the internship. You are a sharp visual thinker who uses AI tools like a second language and who is equally comfortable pushing pixels in Photoshop.

You should thrive where tools evolve weekly. If you test every new AI release, experiment daily, and push the creative edge, we want to talk.

Responsibilities

  • You will work directly with our AI Design lead and Art Directors on live projects
  • Support hybrid workflows: cloud-based generative AI creation blended with manual post-production (compositing, masking, color grading, cleanup)
  • Produce concepts, scrap, layouts, typography, and moodboards using a mix of AI and traditional design tools
  • Translate images, text, and thumbnail sketches into polished digital comps; collaborate with sketch artists and art directors to refine visual direction
  • Assist with inpainting, outpainting, and asset replacement while preserving lighting, depth of field, and texture integrity
  • Leverage AI enhancement and upscaling engines to turn low-resolution generation concepts into high-resolution final assets
  • Prototype multiple concept routes and visual treatments and support fast revision turnarounds
  • Develop a critical eye for AI tells: deformed anatomy, floating artifacts, texture melting, lighting inconsistencies
  • Support scaling of creative into varied aspect ratios and layout distributions without losing the core aesthetic
  • Support the team in maintaining structural and compositional consistency across frames and variations

Requirements

  • Familiarity with modern AI generation platforms and models (Higgsfield, Nano Banana Pro, Firefly) and iteration at speed
  • Working knowledge of Photoshop (including layers, masking, basic compositing, Generative Fill)
  • Interest in image enhancement and upscaling (Topaz Labs, Magnific, or similar)
  • Design eye: AI is the tool, not the identity
  • Fast learner, coachable and calm under tight deadlines
  • Kind, collaborative, and open to feedback

Bonus:

  • Basic Premiere or After Effects and video generation experience (Seedance, Kling, Omni)
  • Blender or similar 3D software experience: basic block-outs, camera and lighting setups, depth maps to guide AI workflows

Portfolio note: we're looking for recent work (last 3 months) ideally made with the tools noted above. If you work with different tools, show us what you've got.

Salary Range

$20.00-$25.00/hr

Employment Type: TEMPORARY

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