Graphic Design Intern

RUF Careers Page; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers Foundation is seeking a Graphic Design Intern to contribute original design for print, web, and digital formats while learning Rutgers’ brand standards.

You will assist with branding event and fundraising templates, photo research, and project management in a collaborative setting, engaging with staff across departments in a hybrid New Brunswick environment.

Qualifications

• Pursuing coursework in graphic design/visual communications or equivalent experience.
• Portfolio of relevant design work may be required.
• Experience with typography, layout, and visual communication.
• Familiarity with print production processes or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Meet with team to determine project design requirements.
• Support design needs across departments (Events, Alumni Engagement, etc.).
• Collaborate with a writer on design pieces.
• Advise on design strategies to reach audiences.
• Create on-brand designs communicating Rutgers message and voice.
• Develop visual concepts for partner buy-in and pitches.
• Select colors, images, text style, and layouts per Rutgers guidelines.
• Incorporate changes and review designs before printing or web publishing.
• Coordinate with Foundation leadership on project and event strategies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Typography

Layout

Visual communication

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Pursuing graphic design/visual communications coursework

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

Adobe Stock

Project management tools

Cloud storage platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reporting to Senior Director, Visual Identity, the Graphic Design Intern will be responsible for the creation of original design for print, web, and digital formats, assisting in branding event and fundraising design templates, design concepting, photo research, and using a project management system. As a member of the department’s Visual Identity Team, the Graphic Design intern will create strategic, on-brand communication collateral for the university's engagement and fundraising initiatives.

The Graphic Design Intern will be introduced to and learn the Rutgers’ brand, visual identity and related standards, the audience, the visual elements that differentiate Rutger's brand, and the visual approaches that create an emotional connection with the audience at various stages of contact and decision-making. The Graphic Design Intern will share responsibility for photo research and project management. They will also interact with staff throughout the Foundation on various projects and coordinate with print production venders, photographers, and design freelancers as needed and will learn print production and web terminology.

Essential Functions

• Meet with team members and project managers to determine project design requirements
• Support the evolving design needs of the foundation and individual departments such as Events, Alumni Engagement, Athletic Development, Estate and Gift Planning, and internal department design pieces.
• Work closely and collaborate with a creative writer on design pieces
• Advise partners and department on design strategies to reach particular audiences and incorporate approved messaging into design
• Create on-brand designs that clearly communicate the Rutgers message and voice
• Develop visual concepts for partner buy-in and pitches on initiatives
• Select colors, images, text style, and layouts based on Rutgers visual guidelines
• Incorporate changes as needed into the final design or working files and review designs for errors before printing or web-publishing
• Collaborate and learn from Foundation leadership on project and event strategies
• Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience

The ideal candidate will be pursuing coursework in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field, or have equivalent education or experience. A completed degree is not required. Candidates may be asked to provide a portfolio of relevant design work.

Qualified candidates will also have:

• Foundational graphic design skills, including typography, layout, and visual communication.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Familiarity with photography, photo editing, and retouching.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and feedback.
• Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, print production processes.
• Availability to work approximately 15–20 hours per week in a hybrid environment, including in-person work in downtown New Brunswick.

Experience with social media, web or responsive design, and creative writing is preferred.

The intern will use Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Stock, project management and cloud-based storage platforms, and Microsoft Office. Prior experience with all platforms is preferred.

It is Foundation policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants. The Foundation prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and/or local laws. Equal employment opportunity applies to hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, layoff, or termination.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.