Design Intern (Fall 2026)

Terms of Service:

Fall Internship

10–15 hours per week between Monday–Friday. Scheduling is flexible and can be coordinated around academic commitments.

Compensation:

$20/hr

Hybrid Structure:

This is a hybrid role with a mix of in office and remote work. We’re looking for someone who is excited to be in the office regularly to collaborate, learn, and be part of the team.

Role Overview: 

The Design Intern will be supporting the design team in translating client strategy into visual identity systems, digital experiences, and physical collateral. This role follows a structured, multi-unit program led by our Design Directors, focusing on the evolution of brand and production projects while translating strategy handed down by senior members of the creative team. Throughout these developed units, you will work closely with leadership to understand how ideas evolve from research and concepting into final, high-fidelity execution across multiple mediums.

Clients choose to work with us both because of what we do and who we are and your help to build, maintain, and grow our team is invaluable to our success.

Unit 1 & 2: Foundations & Design Thinking

• Participate in team meet-and-greets and 1:1 sessions with leadership to gain exposure to the Second Melody mission and client roster
• Learn design research best practices and see how insights inform comprehensive design briefs based on scope, problem, and budget
• Collaborate with directors to explore conceptual "Big Ideas" and build confidence in communicating design decisions

Unit 3 & 4: Systems & Execution

• Explore the connection between visual identity and brand narrative while learning how to maintain consistency across complex applications
• Gain hands-on exposure to bringing concepts to life through the production phase, including print preparation and vendor coordination
• Develop an eye for quality control by observing the review of technical specs, materials, samples, and physical proofs

Unit 5: Digital Experience & Interaction

• Assist in translating established brand identities into digital environments while learning usability and accessibility best practices
• Gain an understanding of how design decisions impact development and observe the requirements for a successful technical handoff

Hands-On Project Work

• Apply skills and observations from all program units to active or simulated client projects alongside the design team
• Integrate into the studio culture through participation in internal reviews, team critiques, and cross-functional huddles
• Gain experience with professional workflow management, including how to navigate timelines, priorities, and revisions under mentorship

Work requirements for the position:

• Design experience across multiple mediums
• Possession of creative flair, versatility, conceptual/visual ability and originality
• Ability to backup ideas and designs with research and reasoning
• Ability to interact, communicate and present ideas internally
• Ability to defend choices made with research and examples
• Up to date with industry leading software and technologies
• Realism regarding time and deadlines

Behavioral Requirements for the position:

• Highly organized, disciplined, driven and energetic
• Pays close attention to direction and knows when to check-in or ask for assistance
• Exercises excellent judgment in determining what can and cannot be efficiently accomplished prior to receiving approval/direction
• Discrete and trustworthy with sensitive firm and customer information
• Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Second Melody, our goals and our growth
• Be resourceful. Focus on solutions rather than problems

About Second Melody:

Second Melody is a branding studio located in Chester and Montclair, New Jersey specializing in identity development, messaging, customer engagement, website design, collateral creation and user experience. Our mission is to make the world a more beautiful place while helping our clients solve problems by building better, stronger and more inclusive brands that accurately represent their visions, passions and business goals.

We help our clients explore their brands, evolve their brands and elevate them all with defined goals, a single voice and an aesthetic consistency that drives growth and revenue (hooray).