Design Studio: Graphic Design Intern

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.  

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.  

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution. 

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 35 hours/week, June 16 - August 15, 2025, approximately 3 days working onsite

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The SFMOMA Design Studio play important roles in implementing and translating the vision of our institution into a vibrant, cohesive, and welcoming brand and experience. The Graphic Design team within the Design Studio is responsible for all visual communication for the museum, both print and digital, including branding, exhibition graphics, publications, sfmoma.org, digital screens, and more. The department plays an integral role in content strategy and communicating the museum’s voice to onsite and offsite visitors. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Design Studio Intern will work closely with the Senior Graphic Designer and other members of the Design Studio team to further our efforts to become a more inclusive and accessible museum, in addition to learning about what goes into scheduling, producing, delivering, and installing the graphics for an exhibition. The Design Studio Intern will be someone who loves a challenge, is an enthusiastic learner, has an eye for detail, and is both self-motivated and works well in a team. 

PROJECT PLAN

Assistance on projects such as research into web accessibility, identifying ways in which our brand guidelines could be more accessible, creating more accessible wayfinding, designing accessible object labels, and assistance designing and producing exhibition graphics. Participation in department meetings and bi-weekly design critiques.

Weeks 1–3 : Introductions and Research

Weeks 4–6: Design Iterations

Weeks 7–8: Design and production

Week 9: Preparation for Intern Presentation 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

· Skills gained: Studio experience working on an in-house team, knowledge of the inner workings of a world class arts institution, various production methods including printing and prepress, web and email production, large scale vinyl graphics, etc.

· Transferable Skills: Studio experience, content strategy, design critiques, project management, production experience

· Jobs this internship prepares someone for: a junior designer or designer position in a design studio or on an in-house design team

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

· Must be a current student or recent graduate with a focus in graphic design or a similar field. SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.  

· Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite

· Knowledge of Figma and digital design a plus

· Keen sense of typography

· Ability to clearly communicate and present ideas and designs, set priorities and meet deadlines.

· Highly organized with great attention to detail

· Self starter

**Current SFMOMA employees are not eligible to apply for the Summer 2025 internship.**

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

· Completed application via SFMOMA's job site

· Resume

· Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest. Describe the experience you bring, why you are interested in museum or nonprofit work, reasons for applying to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and your goals for the internship.

· Two letters of recommendation from either a college professor or current/former employer.

· College transcript: Transcripts can be unofficial but need to be legible.

Application Deadline: March 14, 2025

You do not need separate letters of recommendation for each intern application - please just let each of the recommenders know which internships (up to 3) you're applying to and we'll review those two letters across all of your internship applications.

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.