Athena is a creative place for leaders, risk-takers, and boundary-pushers. We partner with organizations looking to transform their presence, reputation, and performance. For more than a decade, we’ve delivered business insights, marketing strategies, and brand activations for leading organizations across industries ranging from telecommunications to major league sports.
Our people make Athena, Athena. As a three-time Philadelphia Inquirer Top Workplace, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where passion meets excellence. We are solutions‑oriented, collaborative, and not afraid to roll up our sleeves to make work that works—while sharing a few laughs along the way.
All Athena internships are hosted in person at our Philadelphia headquarters. The Summer 2027 cohort will run from June 15th through August 11th. Interns are expected to work 20–30 hours per week.
As a Creative DEPT. Art Director Intern, you’ll collaborate with campaign concepts, visual identities, presentations, social content, websites, and marketing materials while gaining hands-on experience in both design execution and emerging art direction responsibilities.
You'll gain exposure to concept development, visual storytelling, branding, typography, creative strategy, photography and illustration direction, presentation design, and creative collaboration. Throughout the internship, you'll strengthen your skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, design systems, creative problem-solving, and integrated campaign development.
As part of the Athena team, you'll contribute to real client and agency projects, participate in brainstorms and creative reviews, and help create thoughtful, impactful work across digital, social, brand, web, presentation, and print experiences.
The Athena internship program immerses interns in a collaborative, cross-functional environment where they work closely with teams creative, strategy, project management, account management, and marketing—gaining exposure to how departments align to bring projects to life. Our Capstone Project allows interns to collaborate and contribute to real-world initiatives by presenting their proposal to internal stakeholders. Interns are mentored through weekly managerial check-ins and executive support. Athena fosters a culture of support, curiosity, connection, and inclusivity, which allows interns to shine. Our Intern program begins in June 2026 and is a part-time opportunity to join the organization for the summer.
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Support the development of campaign concepts and visual directions
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Design layouts, graphics, presentations, social content, and other creative materials
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Help create mood boards, design explorations, comps, storyboards, and initial visual concepts
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Explore photography, illustration, typography, color, and graphic styles that support a creative idea
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Apply core design principles, including typography, layout, balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and visual unity
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Collaborate with art directors, designers, and copywriters to help ensure that visuals and messaging work together
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Assist with preparing creative work for internal reviews and client presentations
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Incorporate feedback and revise work with attention to detail
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Help organize project files, creative references, and final deliverables
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Participate in brainstorms, team critiques, and creative working sessions
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Learn how ideas are developed and adapted across platforms, including social media, digital, print, video, and animation
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Stay curious about design, culture, technology, and emerging creative trends
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Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree, certificate, or equivalent training in graphic design, advertising, visual communications, art direction, or a related field
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A portfolio that demonstrates strong design fundamentals, creative thinking, and an eye for visual storytelling
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Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma
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Understanding of typography, layout, composition, color, visual hierarchy, and brand systems
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Ability to translate ideas into compelling visual concepts and polished design executions
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Passion for both conceptual thinking and hands-on design craftsmanship
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Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work
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Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills
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Positive, collaborative attitude with a willingness to learn and grow
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Interest in working in a fast-paced, innovative, and highly collaborative creative environment
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Experience with motion design, video editing, animation, photography, illustration, or 3D tools is a plus
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Paid Experience: Interns are compensated at $20/hour, with bi-weekly pay throughout the nine-week program.
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Flexible Scheduling: Interns are expected to work 20–30 hours per week, ideally on a consistent schedule. Hours are coordinated with managers to allow flexibility within the weekly limit.
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In-Person Engagement: This is an on-site internship based in Philadelphia, designed to provide immersive, real-world experience in a collaborative office environment.
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Professional Exposure: Interns gain hands-on experience with client-facing work, learning key skills in professionalism, communication, and public relations.
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Capstone Project: All interns participate in a Capstone Project, where they collaborate across departments to research and pitch a new client opportunity to Athena’s senior leadership and CEO.
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Cultural Experiences: Interns enjoy company outings that showcase Philadelphia’s culture and community—past events have included visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Citizens Bank Park.
Athena is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at 866.299.6040 or at AthenaGlobalAdvisors.com.
