Graphic Design Intern

Are you passionate about design and ready to make your mark in a creative, fast-growing start-up? Carats & Candles is seeking a talented and motivated Graphic Design Intern to join our small, dedicated team and help bring our paper and stationery products to life. This is your chance to gain hands-on experience, work closely with the founder, and see your designs make a real impact!

Who We Are
At Carats & Candles, we illuminate life’s most monumental moments with beautifully crafted stationery. Inspired by personal stories and meaningful connections, our Nashville-based start-up is dedicated to creating thoughtfully designed products that capture life’s rich experiences. We’re a small, hands-on team, and we’re looking for a creative intern who can help bring our vision to life!

What You'll Do
As a Graphic Design Intern at Carats & Candles, you’ll collaborate with our team to design stunning stationery, from greeting cards to invitations, that reflect our brand's mission to illuminate life’s moments. You’ll also assist in creating digital assets for social media, websites, and email marketing while preparing print-ready designs for production. Expect to participate in bi-weekly meetings with the founder, with a focus on evening availability, and occasional weekend meetings that are short and infrequent (no more than 2 hours). Your work will involve creating cohesive designs using typography, color schemes, and imagery, while also contributing to brainstorming sessions to shape new products. You’ll support additional design tasks, such as updating existing products and working on packaging design.

What You'll Need
- Proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or similar platforms.
- A good understanding of digital printing techniques and experience with file preparation for print.
- Experience in creating digital assets for web, social media, and marketing use.
- An eye for detail and a passion for creating thoughtful, impactful designs.
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
- Eagerness to learn, grow, and adapt in a start-up environment.
- Ability to juggle multiple projects and manage your time effectively.
- Flexibility for evening meetings (bi-weekly)
- Excitement about working directly with the founder and a small, dedicated team to make a big impact.

Perks & Benefits
- Paid internship with flexible hours that fit around your school schedule.
- Bi-weekly meetings with the founder for mentorship and personalized guidance, with a strong focus on evening availability.
- Hands-on experience designing products that will go directly to market.
- Creative freedom to explore your ideas and see them come to life.
- A supportive work environment where your contributions are valued.
- Opportunities to learn and grow, not just with design professionals, but with professionals from various industries.
- Networking opportunities with individuals from different fields and industries, broadening your professional connections.
- A fun and inviting work atmosphere where small wins are always illuminated.

Minimum Requirements
- Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field.
- Proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite or similar).
- Experience with digital printing processes and file preparation for print.
- A portfolio that showcases your creativity and technical design skills.

If you’re excited to be part of a small, growing team where your work will have a direct impact, we’d love to hear from you! Join Carats & Candles and help us illuminate life’s special moments with your creativity!