As an Art Director/Graphic Designer Intern at Hiebing, you’ll be part of our Create team, partnering with copywriters, art directors and other creatives to turn insights into ideas that connect brands with people. You’ll contribute to real client work, from early sketches and concept boards to polished designs—and build your skills and portfolio along the way.
We’re looking for someone who thinks beyond the first idea, finds inspiration across visual media and enjoys making the work better through collaboration and feedback. You bring fresh perspectives, a willingness to share unfinished ideas and the curiosity to keep exploring.
What You’ll Do
- Develop creative concepts alongside copywriters, art directors and other team members.
- Translate ideas into compelling visuals, exploring typography, layout, imagery, color and composition.
- Design and refine work across channels, adapting your approach to each brand’s identity, audience and objectives.
- Bring multiple ideas and visual directions to the table, using sketches, references and concept boards to communicate your thinking.
- Use feedback to strengthen your concepts and execution.
- Explore AI tools to support brainstorming, visual exploration and creative workflows, applying your own judgment, originality and craft to the final work.
- Follow agency guidance on AI use, protecting confidential information and checking outputs for accuracy, bias, usage rights and brand fit.
- Manage assignments, communicate progress and meet deadlines with support from the team.
- A portfolio that shows your conceptual thinking, design skills and creative potential. Class assignments, personal projects and previous client work are welcome.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
- A strong foundation in typography, layout, color and composition, with attention to detail.
- The ability to connect visual choices to an idea, audience and brand.
- Curiosity about photography, illustration, motion, culture and emerging creative tools, including AI.
- A collaborative approach and openness to giving, receiving and applying feedback.
- Initiative and a willingness to ask questions when you need direction.
- Location: Madison, WI or Austin, TX. Candidates must be based in Wisconsin or Texas and able to work from the corresponding office.
- Work environment: Hybrid, with in-office collaboration Monday through Wednesday and remote flexibility Thursday and Friday, in an open-office setting.
- Timing: Starting fall 2026 and continuing through May 2027.
- Compensation: $15 per hour.
- Schedule: The Create team prefers interns to work 40 hours per week. Please include your availability during the academic year with your application.
- Application requirement: A portfolio is required. Please include a link and any password needed to access your work.
- Work authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States now and in the future without employer sponsorship.
Skills Required
- Portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking, design skills, and creative potential
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
- Strong foundation in typography, layout, color, and composition
- Ability to connect visual choices to an idea, audience, and brand
- Collaborative approach and openness to giving, receiving, and applying feedback
- Initiative and willingness to ask questions when direction is needed
- Must be based in Wisconsin or Texas and able to work from the corresponding Madison or Austin office
- Must be authorized to work in the United States now and in the future without employer sponsorship
- Availability during the academic year, preferably 40 hours per week
What We Do
Hiebing is an integrated brand development and marketing communications agency with home bases in the thriving capital cities of Madison and Austin. We combine two forces to move brands forward: The Possible and The Provable. The Possible harnesses curiosity and the power of “what if” to imagine what could work. The Provable investigates and distills all forms of input to know what does work. Through this trademark exchange of ideas and data, we create meaningful stories in measurable ways. Ready to move forward? Let’s join forces. If you have an interesting story to tell and are looking for a true partner in your efforts, we’d love the opportunity to chat with you. Please contact Dana Arnold at [email protected]. GOOD-TO-KNOW INFO: - Named 2015 Small Agency of the Year--Midwest Region - 100% employee-owned, so we’re not beholden to anyone - $50+ million in capitalized billings - Client roster that includes Alliant Energy, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Chuy's Tex-Mex, Culver’s, Good Foods Group, Schneider, Summit Credit Union, Wisconsin Department of Tourism and many others…
