Creatives at AKQA (part of WPP) apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight to create and bring to life beautiful ideas that move the world. Skilled storytellers and conceptors, they work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop labours of love that delight customers and deliver results for clients.
As an Art Director Intern at AKQA, you will play an essential role in the strategy, conception and visual execution of beautiful ideas, products and services. You will bring exceptional creative thought and craft output, developing and delivering from brief to end user. You’ll also explore how emerging technologies, including AI, can enhance art direction and creative workflows.
Located on the Herengracht canal in central Amsterdam, you will have access to our diverse network of specialists by collaborating across all our European studios. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
Through our internship program, you will be an integrated part of the Creative Team, assisting it across a mix of visual concept development, brand expression, and digital experience design. You will assist, as well as own, specific tasks and deliverables, that may include:
- Contribute individually and participate in cross-functional teams
- Organize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment, ensuring a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Assist in researching and experimenting with emerging creative technologies, including generative AI tools, to inform mood boards, visual styles, and the creation of images, photos, and other visual assets.
- Explore new ways of thinking about visual communication, leveraging digital developments and AI applications (including for image and photo generation) to inspire pioneering ideas
- Learn about day to day working in a creative agency, through the exposure to client and agency dynamics, and contribute to the strategic development of creative briefs.
QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Strong Art Direction skills across visual concept development, typography, digital aesthetics, and brand expression.
- Confident using Figma for visual layouts and presentations.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Detail-oriented and self-motivated, with a keen eye for craft.
- Positive team player with a willingness to listen and learn
- Confident speaking in English
- Passionate about all areas of art direction, visual innovation, and digital communication.
- An eagerness to explore and apply new creative technologies, including AI, in visual storytelling and problem-solving.
- An eagerness to get involved, learn, and to come up with fresh ideas.
EU working rights are required. Either through a EU Citizenship or Study Programme in the Netherlands.
This is a 5 days a week internship for a duration of 6 months.
We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
Skills Required
- Strong art direction skills across visual concept development, typography, digital aesthetics, and brand expression.
- Confident using Figma for visual layouts and presentations.
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
- Proficiency in Adobe InDesign.
- Experience or willingness to research and experiment with generative AI tools for image and photo generation.
- Detail-oriented and self-motivated with a keen eye for craft.
- Positive team player with willingness to listen and learn.
- Confident speaking English.
- EU working rights (EU citizenship or valid study programme permission in the Netherlands).
- Availability to work 5 days a week for 6 months with required in-office days (hybrid) in Amsterdam.
AKQA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AKQA and has not been reviewed or approved by AKQA.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies include fully paid parental leave for all parents, adoption support, and family leave for caregiving needs. Additional supports such as subsidized backup childcare and regional enhancements reinforce family care.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple plan options with full preventive care, mental‑health resources, and dental and vision coverage. Some regions provide 24/7 virtual doctor access and supplementary healthcare budgets for services not covered by insurance.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑away provisions include generous paid holidays with increases over tenure and a companywide year‑end closure. Special, study, and event‑based leave (e.g., weddings, moving) broaden the range of available time off.
AKQA Insights
What We Do
The imaginative application of art and science. AKQA is a design and communications company that employs 2,200 professionals in 29 studios across five continents. Awarded two Cannes Lion Grand Prix’s in 2019, and recently named by Gartner and Forrester as one of the world’s leading experience design and innovation agencies.
