Graphic design internships in Asia and beyond
Social posts, branding and layouts for real clients.
Overview
What the internship is about
Design interns join branding studios, advertising agencies, in-house creative teams and product companies. You design social posts and ads, build logos and brand guidelines, lay out brochures and menus in InDesign, prepare files for print and mock up app screens in Figma. Art directors review your drafts, so you learn to present ideas and take feedback quickly. Many clients sell across several Asian markets, so one campaign often needs a version for each.
A week might include three or four briefs at different stages, from first sketches to final files. South Korea and Singapore are our strongest destinations, followed by Japan and Hong Kong.
Why do it
What you'll get out of it
Work on ads, social graphics and branding for real clients. You build a varied portfolio of published work, which matters more than grades when you apply for design jobs.
Build your skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Figma with guidance from working designers. You learn the shortcuts, file habits and print settings studios expect.
See how colors, symbols and styles differ between cultures. You learn to design for international audiences and avoid choices that land badly in another market.
Your role
Create graphics, layouts and visuals that explain ideas clearly across print, web and social media.
Work on logos, color palettes, typography and brand guidelines. You learn how visual branding sets a company apart.
Help design app and website screens in Figma, and learn how user research guides design decisions.
Where to go
This is where we have the most host companies in this field, but you can do it in any of our destinations. See all destinations
Where you can do this
Prices
How much it costs
FAQ
Your questions, answered
What will I do on a graphic design internship?
You'll design social media posts, ads, logos, brochures, websites or packaging for real clients and brands.
Do I need experience to get a graphic design internship?
You'll usually need a portfolio. Student and personal projects are fine. You don't need to speak the local language.
What skills and tools will I use?
Common tools include Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Figma and Canva.
Where can I do a graphic design internship?
Popular destinations for graphic design internships include South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia. Tell us where you'd like to go and we'll check what's possible.
Can I get university credit for my internship?
Yes, if your university accepts it: we provide the documents it needs (internship agreement, placement confirmation, supervisor evaluation and a host certificate of completion). Your university decides whether to give credit, and how much.
How much does it cost, and is it paid?
Programs start from $2,050 for 6 weeks on Explorer, depending on where you go. Most internships are unpaid.
In depth
- Design social media posts and ads.
- Create logos and brand elements for clients.
- Lay out brochures, menus and reports in InDesign.
- Design website and app screens in Figma.
- Help with packaging and print designs.
- Prepare final files for print and for the web.
- Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Figma and Canva on client work.
- Working to a brief and a brand guide.
- Taking feedback and turning a draft into a final design.
- Presenting and explaining your design choices.
- Designing for an audience from another culture.
- A portfolio of real client work, if the company allows it.
- South Korea: graphic design is among our strongest fields, and we have our own office in Korea.
- Singapore: regional offices, banks and startups in the CBD, Marina Bay and one-north.
- Japan: art and fashion are among our strongest fields there, and we have our own office in Japan.
- Hong Kong: marketing is among our strongest fields there.
- Thailand: marketing is one of our strongest fields, and our team is based in Bangkok.
- Malaysia: placements in Kuala Lumpur, where daily life costs much less than in Singapore.
Intern stories
Hear it from our interns
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Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.