Creative Intern (Spring 2026)

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Innocence Project recognizes the immense power of strategic communications to advance legal and policy reform and, more specifically, the importance of exoneration stories to further the work of preventing wrongful convictions and achieving criminal legal system reform.

The primary focus of this internship is to support the communications team by assisting with developing and executing creative concepts across digital and print to advance the Innocence Project's brand and storytelling efforts. The Creative Intern will report to the Creative Lead.

This position will be a 10-week paid internship with a minimum requirement of 16 hours per week beginning in February 2026. The timeframe and schedule are flexible. The internship will be hybrid with at least one day per week in the office.

All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for this internship is an emerging creative with a clean design aesthetic and a desire to gain exposure to brand design and nonprofit communications. They are curious, thoughtful, and eager to contribute and grow through creative problem-solving. This candidate has a strong interest in the mission of the Innocence Project, understands that the creative process is a collaboration, and shows a willingness to embrace feedback with maturity and adapt accordingly to further the impact of our brand and our visual storytelling.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Researching trends and compiling reference material to support creative ideation and brand explorations.
• Support the Creative Lead with day-to-day development and reformatting of external- and internal-facing creative assets across digital and print platforms, including but not limited to organic and paid social media, website, presentation decks, marketing materials, and more.
• Develop an understanding of the Innocence Project brand, and support ongoing brand-building and consistency efforts, as well as quality assurance, across outgoing branded materials.
• Occasionally provide multimedia support with basic motion assets and light video editing.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Basic experience producing social media graphics or digital design work, or a foundational understanding of digital design best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in providing organized, administrative support.
• Foundational proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, etc) and Canva (for templating). Experience with After Effects and Premiere Pro is a major plus, but not required.
• Experience or interest in designing presentation decks.
• Basic understanding of how to design and prepare print materials.
• Eagle-eye attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Good understanding of layout design and typography, with an ability to design simple, clean layouts using clear hierarchy in accordance with brand guidelines.
• Strong time-management skills and an ability to balance multiple tasks, organize project files and export assets correctly, sometimes under pressure.
• Self-motivated, with an ability to work independently, receive feedback constructively, and switch gears quickly, when needed.
• Demonstrated interest in design, multimedia, or visual communication.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and design decisions verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to work well with groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest; and
• Shares in the IP's values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization's success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please visit JazzHR. Upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization's work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume). Provide a link or PDF to your portfolio and/or a case study of a relevant school project that showcases design logic. Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.

**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.**

SALARY

$19 per hour for undergraduate students and $21 per hour for postgraduate students