At Sterling, we create brands that make people think, feel and engage. Brands for today. We’ve done it for super heroes and super causes, organic farmers and information miners, bricks and mortar and digital destinations, cosmetics, condoms, and cornflakes – the tried and true and the disruptive trailblazer.

Our obsessively human-centric approach links every inspiration back to the consumer: their lives and passions, their habits and habitats. The result; is beautiful, inclusive, and effective solutions that make brands come alive and thrive.

Our focus is on consumer brands and their identity expressions on-pack, in-store, and online. We love creating the worlds brands live in and inspiring people to be part of them.

Sterling has an amazing culture of appreciation and celebrating team successes.

Design Internship, Summer 2026

When: May 2026 – August 2026, full-time

Where: NYC

About the Role:

This semester, you could have the opportunity to experience a fast-paced creative agency environment and gain exposure to a range of industries and high-profile consumer brands.

The Design Intern will support the team on client projects as well as contribute to internal design projects. Successful candidates will have a desire to enter a career in Design, with an emphasis in branding and package design. We’re looking for an advocate of design excellence, with a willingness to push the creative expression and boundaries of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

What You’ll Do:

As Design Intern, you will get to:

Participate in client projects that allow you to learn new skills and apply your design knowledge, including:
- Working with the Design team on branding, packaging, visual language and digital executions
- Supporting the team in all tasks related to assigned projects
- Conducting wide-range creative exploratories as well as design refinements
- Participating in research and brainstorming
- Searching for design and cultural trends to inspire the team and design direction
Assist in crafting engaging presentations and observe client meetings to see how insights, strategic recommendations, and creative solutions are presented
Work with team members from Strategy, Design, and Client Services disciplines to understand how the agency operates

Qualifications:

Must be enrolled as a rising senior in a BA/BFA/MFA degree program or a graduate program with a concentration in Design
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
An excellent portfolio
Strong technical knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD), skills in animation and moving image are a plus
The ability to take direction well and articulate a strong conceptual point of view
Ability to work independently and think on ones feet

Compensation

Base hourly rate: $20/hr

This range represents the base pay rate an individual in this role may earn as an employee of Sterling Brands in the United States. Pay will vary based on factors including but not limited to: professional and academic experience; training; associated responsibilities; other business and organizational needs; and geographic location (to account for comparative cost of living). Pay decisions are dependent on the circumstances of each hire.

About Sterling:

We are a brand design consultancy based in NYC, San Francisco, and Cincinnati. For over 25 years, our design, strategy, and innovation teams have been working to bring brands to life acr

Design Intern NY

Job Description

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