Summer Intern, Brand Creative Studio: Design

As a Summer Intern in the Brand Creative Studio at Emerson Collective, you will collaborate closely with the creative team on various design assets, contribute to 1-2 core projects, and support daily design tasks such as creating digital content and print collateral. Your work will also involve participating in creative discussions and maintaining brand consistency across materials.

To qualify for the Summer Intern position in the Brand Creative Studio at Emerson Collective, candidates should be rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors, preferably pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field. Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is essential, along with creativity, strong attention to detail, and a positive, collaborative spirit.

Preparing for your interview for the Summer Intern position in the Brand Creative Studio at Emerson Collective involves showcasing your design skills and knowledge of brand storytelling. Be ready to discuss your design portfolio and past experiences, demonstrate your familiarity with design tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and exhibit your ability to work in a team-oriented, feedback-driven environment.

When applying for the Summer Intern, Brand Creative Studio position at Emerson Collective, it's beneficial to include a variety of your best design work in your portfolio. This could showcase your proficiency in graphic design projects, any relevant academic or personal projects, and pieces that illustrate your creative process. While a portfolio is encouraged, samples highlighting your design skills are also acceptable.

As a Summer Intern at Emerson Collective, you can expect a compensated rate of $25 per hour for a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week throughout the eight-week program, which runs from June 9th to August 1st, 2025. Additionally, travel and housing allowances may be provided, as necessary.

When discussing your design process, start by outlining how you identify the project requirements and objectives, research inspiration and trends, brainstorm ideas, and iterate through drafts. Mention the importance of feedback from team members and clients, and demonstrate how you adapt based on constructive criticism to improve your final designs.

When asked about your inspirations, focus on any specific artists, designers, or movements that resonate with you. Discuss how these influences shape your personal style and approach, and provide examples of projects where you've integrated this inspiration. Articulate the role that storytelling plays in your design work, particularly in relation to Emerson Collective's mission.

In your answer, emphasize your open-mindedness and positive attitude towards feedback. Discuss how you view constructive criticism as an opportunity to grow and refine your skills. Provide a specific example of a time when you received feedback, how you applied it, and the changes you made to subsequent designs.

When discussing a proud design project, explain the context, your role, and the challenges you faced. Describe the creative process, detailing important decisions and how you overcame obstacles. Highlight the project's impact and any positive feedback you received, linking it back to how it has shaped your design philosophy.

In answering this question, explain your approach to understanding brand guidelines and the importance of maintaining consistency across designs. Discuss how you reference these guidelines during your creative process, use templates, and ensure that your work aligns with the overall brand strategy, particularly within Emerson Collective's framework.

Be specific in naming the software you are familiar with, such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). Share examples of projects where you've successfully used these tools, and discuss any unique techniques you've developed or preferences you have for different stages of the design process.

When addressing project prioritization, emphasize your organizational skills and ability to assess urgency and impact. Describe your process for managing time effectively, such as creating project timelines, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and communicating proactively with team members to balance workloads.

In response to this question, highlight the advantages of collaboration, such as enhancing creativity through diverse perspectives and improving the overall quality of design work. Provide examples of times you've collaborated with others, whether in school or internships, and how this approach ultimately benefited the project outcome.

Express your enthusiasm for joining Emerson Collective, emphasizing alignment with its values and mission. Discuss how the opportunity to work on impactful storytelling through design excites you, and mention specific aspects of the Brand Creative Studio that inspire you—like innovative projects or the team's diverse expertise.

Your response should indicate that you actively engage with design communities, follow industry leaders on social media, read design blogs, and participate in workshops or online courses. Mention how you apply new trends and techniques to your work and contribute fresh ideas to your team.