Graphic Design Intern (Summer 2026)

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

Third Way’s graphic design team is seeking a Graphic Design Intern for the summer. In this role, the intern will work alongside our in-house designers, collaborate with internal clients, and create a variety of visuals while contributing to a dynamic, forward-thinking organization that promotes center-left ideas.

The Graphic Design Intern will support policy and political work by translating complex information into clear, accessible graphics. Additional responsibilities include adding content to the website and researching emerging design trends.

A typical day for the Graphic Design Intern could include:

• Preparing products and other content for the website;

• Creating complex ideas and data into compelling visual content, such as charts, infographics, decks, and other visuals with support of the graphic design team;

• Ensuring all graphics are accessible, on-brand, and optimized for use across platforms;

• Supporting the graphic design team during staff portraits and video shoots;

• Archiving design files using the design team system;

• Staying current on design trends, tools, and technology to keep Third Way’s materials looking fresh;

• Supporting the graphic design team with other graphics design needs.

Project Timeline

Phase 1 – June: Onboarding & training on the CMS (June 2 – 23)

• Participate in the weekly Comms meeting;

• Attend CMS training to learn how to upload products and website content;

• Become familiar with Third Way’s brand and visual guidelines;

• Shadow the Graphic Designer II during meetings with internal clients;

• Select a design research topic with guidance from the Graphic Designer II. The intern will present findings to the COMMs team at the end of the internship.

Phase 2 – June/July: Skill Building & Research (June 23 – July 14)

• Add content to Third Way site with minimal supervision;

• Develop familiarity with MLA style guidelines for website content;

• Create graphics for the Third Way site with support and feedback;
  from the graphic design team;

• Continue researching the selected design topic.

Phase 3 –Late March-April: Applied Design Work (July 14 - August 4)

• Share research findings with the design team and refine how they support the team’s work;

• Create charts in Datawrapper following best practices;

• Design header graphics and other visuals aligned with the Third Way brand more independently;

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of Third Way’s brand and visual guidelines.

Phase 4 – May: Presentation Preparation (August 4-25)

• Conduct at least two practice presentations for the design team;

• Create charts in Datawrapper following best practices;

• Design header graphics and other visuals aligned with the Third Way brand;

• Upload website content independently while following MLA style guidelines.

Phase 5 - Capstone Presentation (Week of August 25)

• Present research findings, and share reflections and lessons learned to the Comms team.

*Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. All Third Way staff are required to be vaccinated. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. *