Graphic Design Intern

Helping Hand; Countryside, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 16,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Purpose-driven work that changes lives

Team member appreciation events and E<

Job summary

Helping Hand is seeking a Graphic Design Intern to transform ideas into meaningful visuals for print and digital platforms. You will work with our Creative Designer to support marketing, fundraising, recruitment, events, and community engagement.

Responsibilities include designing social graphics, campaign materials, print-ready files, and brand development while strengthening your portfolio. On-site, part-time role with some evening/weekend assignments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Pursuing degree in graphic design or visual communications.
• Experience designing for social media preferred.
• Experience with illustration, photography, motion graphics, or video editing preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging digital and print materials to support marketing, fundraising, recruitment, events, and community engagement.
• Create event graphics, flyers, brochures, social media content, and promotional materials.
• Translate goals and messages into compelling visual communications.
• Adapt designs for different formats and audiences while maintaining a consistent identity.
• Assist with additional graphic design, marketing, events, and creative projects.

Skills

Adobe InDesign

Graphic design

Time management

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Pursuing degree in graphic design/visual communications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Description

Design with Purpose. Create with Impact.

Are you an emerging designer ready to transform ideas into meaningful visual experiences? Helping Hand is looking for a creative, detail-oriented Graphic Design Intern to help bring our mission to life across print and digital platforms.

Working alongside our Creative Designer, you will create materials that support marketing, fundraising, recruitment, events, and community engagement. From social media graphics and campaign materials to print-ready files and brand development, this hands-on internship offers the opportunity to strengthen your portfolio while creating work that makes a difference.

Helping Hand’s mission is to transform lives through genuine care and education, and our vision is that all people are equally valued. If you want to grow as a designer while using your creativity to support an important mission, we would love to meet you!

SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION:

• On-site position, part-time
• Approximately 15 hours per week
• Hourly rate: $20.50/hour (non-exempt)
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend assignments - typically averaging one evening per week and one weekend day per month, based on department needs.

HELPING HAND PERKS:

• Purpose-driven work that changes lives.
• Team member appreciation events and year-round recognition.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness support.
• PSLF-qualifying employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Design Creative Content

• Design engaging digital and print materials that support Helping Hand’s marketing, fundraising, recruitment, and community-engagement initiatives.
• Create event graphics, flyers, brochures, social media content, digital advertisements, signage, marketing emails, and other promotional materials.
• Translate organizational goals, campaign concepts, and key messages into creative and compelling visual communications.
• Adapt designs for different formats, communication channels, and audiences while maintaining a consistent visual identity.
• Assist with additional graphic design, marketing, event, and creative projects as assigned.

Strengthen and Evolve Our Brand

• Help research, develop, and refine Helping Hand’s organizational style guide, including standards for typography, color, imagery, layout, and brand usage.
• Support the continued evolution of Helping Hand’s visual identity and creative approach.
• Apply established brand standards while identifying opportunities to improve consistency and recognition.
• Adapt Helping Hand’s brand and messaging for team members, job candidates, donors, families, community partners, and the individuals we serve.
• Help ensure visual communications are accessible, inclusive, person-centered, and representative of the diverse communities Helping Hand serves.

Prepare Designs for Production

• Prepare accurate, production-ready files for professional printing.
• Review dimensions, resolution, color settings, bleeds, and other technical specifications before production.
• Assist with identifying and communicating with print and production vendors.
• Help coordinate the proofing process and review materials for quality, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• Build practical knowledge of prepress preparation and professional print production.

Organize Creative Assets

• Maintain and organize creative files, templates, photographs, logos, and other digital assets.
• Follow file-naming, version-control, and storage practices so materials remain current, accessible, and easy to locate.
• Help create an organized and sustainable creative library for future campaigns and projects.
• Support Helping Hand’s Mission
• Assist with the planning, promotion, coordination, and execution of fundraising events and organizational activities.
• Manage assigned deadlines and complete project materials accurately and on time.
• Participate in workshops, training opportunities, design critiques, campaign brainstorms, and other skill-building activities.
• Provide administrative and project support as needed.
• Represent Helping Hand’s mission, values, person-centered practices, and commitment to an inclusive and equitable workplace.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Throughout this internship, you will gain practical experience in:

• Working within established branding guidelines.
• Creating accessible and inclusive visual communications.
• Designing for both print and digital platforms.
• Preparing professional, print-ready files.
• Managing and organizing creative assets.
• Adapting one brand for multiple audiences and communication channels.
• Balancing creativity with project requirements and deadlines.
• Receiving, applying, and responding professionally to creative feedback.
• Collaborating within a mission-driven professional environment.

Requirements

WHAT YOU BRING:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Currently pursuing a degree in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field.

Experience

• Experience designing for social media preferred.
• Experience with illustration, photography, motion graphics, or video editing skills preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Fundamental understanding of Adobe Creative Suite (predominantly Adobe InDesign).
• An understanding of basic design principles.
• Strong verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and follow through on assignments.
• Professionalism, creativity, initiative, reliability, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to learn and implement design feedback.
• Ability to promote and adhere to company values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

Additional Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, personal vehicle insurance, and the ability to travel independently to Helping Hand locations and community events.
• Flexibility to work at different Helping Hand sites.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend assignments - typically averaging one evening per week and one weekend day per month, based on department needs.
• Ability to work in office, community, and occasional outdoor environments.
• Ability to move materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position performs a combination of office-based and community-based work and regularly uses a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment.
• The team member must be able to move throughout all HH environments and have the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand at all levels of the organization.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing department needs and occasional travel between HH locations.
• At times, this position requires the individual to work in outdoor environments and may require the ability to transfer materials (up to 20lbs) or other individuals.

Helping Hand is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that embracing our differences strengthens our community and enhances the quality of care we provide.