Design (Adult)

• THIS INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS NOT OPEN TO RECENT GRADUATES*****

If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience at a leading publisher where creativity, collaboration, and storytelling come to life, ABRAMS may be the perfect place to start your career journey. As the first U.S. publisher dedicated to art and illustrated books—and an industry leader in visual and narrative publishing—ABRAMS is seeking a Design Intern  to join our  Adult Design Team  as part of our Fall Internship Program commencing on September 15, 2026.

Over the course of this immersive,  unpaid program (offered for academic credit only) , interns will gain meaningful insight into the world of book publishing while contributing to real projects that drive our business forward. You’ll learn alongside experienced professionals, develop practical skills in your area of interest, and participate in opportunities designed to broaden your understanding of the publishing industry. Our goal is to help prepare the next generation of publishing talent while fostering a passion for books, art, and culture.

The Adult Design Intern will support the Adult Design department across multiple imprints. In this role, you will gain hands-on experience in book design, including typography, layout development, and the overall book production process, while contributing to projects at various stages of development.

Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited academic institution. This internship is not open to recent graduates.

What You’d Be Doing

• Review passes and proofs with the design team
• Edit text and format printer templates
• Prepare paperback covers and advanced reader’s copies (ARCs)
• Support the design team with general design tasks
• Attend weekly design meetings with the department
• Gain hands-on experience in book design and the visual side of publishing
• Include a link to portfolio samples with your application
• Learning and networking with ABRAMS employees, publishing professionals, and fellow interns during this internship experience for academic credit
• Gaining hands-on exposure to the publishing industry, from concept to finished product
• Supporting research, project work, and day-to-day tasks within your assigned department
• Contributing ideas and providing creative input on department projects
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and learning about various areas of the publishing business
• Participating in workshops and discussions designed to deepen your understanding of publishing trends and processes
• Receiving coaching, mentorship, and feedback from experienced ABRAMS professionals

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multitask and hungry to learn
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Strong interest in pursuing a career in publishing, particularly design
• Keen eye for detail and ability to maintain accuracy in tasks
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong writing and communication abilities
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud ,  including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Exhibit advanced typesetting skills

Highly Preferred Candidates Also Have

• Prior Internship Experience

Internship Details

• Compensation:  For credit only; must be enrolled in a college program offering internship credit.
• Location:  New York, NY, and follows a hybrid schedule, working 21 hours per week.
• Duration:   September 15, 2026 – December 18, 2026.

Note To Applicants A portfolio is required to be considered for this role. Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be reviewed.

About ABRAMS Founded in 1949 as the first U.S. publisher to specialize in art and illustrated books, ABRAMS has a long-standing reputation for publishing visually stunning, critically acclaimed, and bestselling works. Today, ABRAMS continues to lead in the creation and distribution of high-quality books across a wide range of categories—including art, photography, design, fashion, entertainment, cooking, craft, and popular culture—as well as award-winning children’s and young adult titles under imprints such as Abrams Books for Young Readers, Amulet Books, and Abrams Appleseed.

Headquartered in the creative heart of New York City, ABRAMS is home to a passionate team of editors, designers, marketers, and publishing professionals …