Graphic Design Intern in Chicago, Illinois at Illinois EDC

Position Title: Summer Internship Program (Marketing Team)

Organization: Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC)

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Internship Employment Type: Part-Time, not to exceed 30 hours/week

Illinois EDC is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership committed to advancing inclusive economic development across the state. With a collaborative team and a mission-driven approach, Illinois EDC leverages both private and public funding to support economic development efforts in Illinois.

The Graphic Design Intern will support the marketing team by assisting in the creation and production of visual communication materials for Illinois EDC. This role offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional marketing and communications environment, helping to ensure a consistent and impactful brand identity across various platforms. Under the direction of the sr. director of marketing and graphic design manager, the intern will help in creating digital and print assets that align with the organization's mission to promote Illinois as a premier business destination.

The intern's responsibilities will focus on the tactical execution and production aspects of the design process, including:

• Design Support and Production: Assist in the production of various marketing and communication materials, such as:

o Adapting existing designs for different formats (e.g., resizing website graphics or social media assets).

o Preparing files for external vendors, such as printers.

o Creating and updating presentation decks.

o Sourcing and preparing imagery (e.g., cropping, basic retouching) for use in designs.

• Brand and Asset Management:

o Help ensure all created visuals adhere to established brand guidelines and accessibility standards.

o Organize and maintain the digital asset library (e.g., photo and logo files) to improve team efficiency.

• Administrative and Project Assistance:

o Support the graphic design manager with day-to-day administrative tasks related to projects.

o Participate in internal team meetings to understand project requirements and objectives.

o Develop proficiency in design principles, typography, color theory, and layout under supervision.

o Gain hands-on experience using the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

• Currently enrolled as a junior or senior in a bachelor's degree program.

• Preferred majors aligned with the internship focus (e.g., Business, Marketing, Visual Communications, Graphic Design etc.).

• Minimum GPA requirement (often 3.0 or higher).

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong written, verbal and visual communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite required. Previous experience with Canva or CRM platforms is a plus.

• Prior knowledge in graphics/graphic design

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Professionalism and organizational skills.

• Prior internship or relevant work experience is helpful but not always required.

• Demonstrated interest in the field (e.g., economic development, public affairs, marketing, research).

• Participation in student organizations, volunteer work, or leadership roles is often valued.

• Ability to commit to a set schedule (e.g., 10–20 hours/week during the semester or full-time during summer).

• Willingness to work in-person, hybrid, or remote depending on the organization's setup.

• Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

• This internship will require a background check or confidentiality agreement.

Illinois EDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.