Design Apprentice | Graphic (NY)

BUCK; New York (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid Holidays

Paid sick leave

Health Insurance

Job summary

BUCK is seeking a motivated apprentice to join our design teams in a hands-on, production-focused role. You will contribute to 2D/3D outputs, learn rapidly, and work under a dedicated mentor to develop a strong visual craft.

The six-month, full-time apprenticeship requires on-site presence at BUCK offices in Los Angeles or New York and a commitment to growth, collaboration, and professional development within a renowned creative studio.

Qualifications

• Six-month, full-time apprenticeship.
• Candidates must live within a commutable distance from the LA or NY BUCK office locations and be able to be on-site for the apprenticeship.
• Apprentices are a valuable part of the team and may have pathways to future staff roles.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with your assigned mentor to reach personal and department goals for the apprenticeship.
• Continuously update skill set and learn new tools, including AI-assisted workflows.
• Share insights with the department and wider BUCK team, promoting collaboration and growth.
• Proactively offer assistance and support to the department and peers.

Skills

Graphic & Motion Design fundamentals

Tools

Adobe Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

Figma

After Effects

Cinema 4D

AI-assisted workflows

Job description

Graphic/Motion Design

About BUCK:

BUCK is a talent-driven, global creative company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, London, and Amsterdam. Since 2004, we have been building a home for the world’s most talented dreamers, makers, and doers in a collaborative, ego-free culture that breeds partnership and creative ambition. At our core, we exist to find creative opportunities in every challenge, not just to think, but to make, and ultimately put extraordinary things into the world that inspire people.

Job Description:

At BUCK, we realize that there is nothing more powerful than someone willing to learn and grow in order to hone their craft. This is why BUCK is looking for talented and driven people to join teams across our many departments as an Apprentice. Apprentices are considered to be a valuable part of our team and process. In fact, 35% of our current team first joined us as an apprentice; we now have Department Heads and Group Creative Directors who have had their entire career at BUCK. The ideal candidate is someone with some professional experience, but more importantly, we are looking for those who are curious and willing to learn. This opportunity is best suited for recent graduates, self-taught artists, and anyone in between.

This role is centered on hands-on visual problem-solving and technical execution, focusing on creating assets, graphics, and style frames that support our 2D and 3D animation pipelines. You will dive directly into production work, utilizing your strong graphic design foundation and attention to detail to ensure clean, versatile creative output. This is ideal for those who want to be integrated into the immediate visual production workflow of a design and animation studio.

What We Expect From You:

Commitment & Location:

• Six-month, full-time apprenticeship.
• Candidates must live within a commutable distance from the LA or NY BUCK office locations and be able to be on-site for the apprenticeship.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with your assigned mentor to reach your personal and assigned goals for the apprenticeship.
• Continuously update your skill set and learn new tools, including AI-assisted workflows, to meet the evolving needs of the department, clients, and market.
• Share insights with the department and the wider BUCK team, promoting the department’s culture of collaboration and growth.
• Proactively offer assistance and support to the department and your peers, actively seeking opportunities to contribute.

Requirements:

• 2+ years of experience studying or working in an industry relevant to the skillset.
• Must be efficient, detail-oriented, organized, and able to work under tight deadlines.
• Is a team player who will fit into our collaborative team and ego-free culture.
• Design in a range of styles, aware of current pop culture and design trends.
• Creative end-to-end solutions, from concept through codification of guidelines and asset delivery.
• Ability to concept widely and iterate narrowly, and contribute to projects at varying points in the process.
• Ability to work with growing independence and develop a strong, unique point of view.
• Takes direction well and embodies a collaborative spirit.

Skills and Software knowledge we look for:

• Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Graphic & Motion Design fundamentals (Typography, Logo Dev.)
• Proficiency in Figma
• A plus: After Effects, C4D, and familiarity with AI-assisted workflows

What you can expect from us:

• The chance to work alongside collaborative teams under some of the most talented artists in the world to build knowledge, skills, and responsibility to further your career.
• Be paired up with a mentor for the duration of the program. The mentor will be an active staff member who will support your education and experience at BUCK.
• A formal midpoint review, in addition to check-ins throughout the program.
• Apprentices who excel may be considered for conversion to a staff role at the end of the program. Conversion is not guaranteed.
• Compensation:
  • $22.60/hr USD, non-exempt (Overtime eligible)
  • Benefits: PTO, Paid Holidays, Paid sick leave, Health Insurance