Summer Intern, Brand Creative Studio: Design

Overview

Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world.

Emerson Collective's summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.

We're looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.

The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10-12. See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Opportunity

The Brand Creative Studio team drives the brand for Emerson Collective and our priority areas, working to change hearts and minds with world-class storytelling and creativity-big ideas such as advertising, marketing, and brand films, all the way to day-to-day content for brand channels. Design is also an output, from logos to event design and more. The Brand Creative Studio's work covers brand management, creative strategy, ideation, digital, production, and content creation roles, so there is a diverse range of responsibilities.

As the Design intern, you'll work with the Creative team on graphic design projects that support Emerson Collective's brand and key initiatives. You'll contribute to 1-2 core projects from concept through execution and assist with daily design needs across digital, print, and social platforms.

You'll take part in creative discussions at the intersection of brand building and design, collaborating with designers, strategists, and brand builders to bring ideas to life and explore how design shapes storytelling and impact. Ideal candidates have demonstrated design experience and proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, along with curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative mindset.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include a portfolio (URL link or attached file). If you don't have a portfolio, please share another example that showcases your design skills or creative approach.

Role and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Creative team on design assets.
• Contribute to 1-2 core Emerson Collective projects, from concept to final execution, focusing on delivering high-quality design work.
• Support the creative team with daily design tasks, such as creating digital content, social media assets, and print collateral.
• Participate in creative discussions, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques, offering fresh perspectives and insights.
• Assist in maintaining consistency across brand materials and ensuring adherence to design guidelines.
• Make templates and design decks for presentations and other work as needed.
• Work with creative teams and brand-building roles on ideation and reviews of creative work.

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements

• Rising undergraduate (junior or senior), preferably pursuing a field in graphic design, visual arts, marketing, or a related field.
• Proficiency in software such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Strong attention to detail, creativity, and a passion for design.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and be open to constructive feedback.
• Enthusiasm for working on a team that encourages innovation and values diverse perspectives.
• A positive, solution-oriented attitude and a willingness to contribute to a variety of design challenges.
• A portfolio or samples showcasing your design work and problem-solving approach.
• Cares about Emerson Collective's values, work, and impact.
• Interest in brand building, creative idea process, production, marketing, advertising, or other related themes.

Internship Details

Compensation

• All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).
• Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10-12.
• All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.

Key Dates

• November 18 - January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis

Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Friday, January 9.

(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)

• January 12 - March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended
• June 10-12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation
• June 15: Internship program begins
• August 7: Internship program concludes

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.