Design Collective Creative Director (DCCD)
Job Description
The Design Collective is a peer-to-peer learning and leadership space within the RWU Graphic Design program, designed to foster collaboration, creative support, and inclusive learning. Based in the DSGN Lab (SE 122), the Collective offers drop-in studio hours, mentorship opportunities, and access to professional-grade tools and technologies in a welcoming environment. Students of varying skill levels come together to solve design challenges, exchange feedback, and build a vibrant community of practice.
The Design Collective Creative Director (DCCD) is a paid three-year FIT Internship that provides meaningful leadership experience through lab management, creative collaboration, and public-facing design events. Interns gain increasing responsibility each year鈥攄eveloping professional skills in project management, design research, team leadership, digital content creation, and event coordination. From mentoring peers and managing equipment to supporting exhibitions like the annual Graphic Design Senior Showcase, this role is ideal for students looking to deepen their engagement with the field and prepare for a career in design or related creative industries.
Year 1
Responsibility/Function
- Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming studio environment.
- Monitor lab activity and support safe, respectful use of machines and equipment.
- Assist with upkeep of DSGN Lab tools (e.g., printers, scrap clearing, laser cutter cleaning).
- Help with basic troubleshooting and regular equipment maintenance.
- Contribute to social media content creation (stories, posts, highlights).
- Assist with documentation of student work, events, and in-progress projects.
- Support setup and takedown for program events as needed.
- Participate in program- and university-wide events to represent the Graphic Design program.
Year 2
Responsibility/Function
- Oversee DSGN Lab operations during studio hours and help manage space usage.
- Train and mentor first-year interns and guide them through lab procedures.
- Take initiative in troubleshooting and maintaining lab tools and technology.
- Lead documentation efforts for key projects and collaborative initiatives to highlight student work, events, and program values.
- Support logistical planning, promotion, and setup for public events such as the Graphic Design Senior Showcase, SASH, and campus exhibitions.
- Represent the Design Collective in leadership roles at campus events, tours, and prospective student sessions.
Year 3
Responsibility/Function
- Serve as the lead mentor for incoming interns, providing onboarding support and helping foster a strong team culture.
- Oversee all aspects of DSGN Lab operations, including scheduling, communications, and organizing lab resources.
- Delegate responsibilities to ensure an efficient and inclusive studio environment.
- Develop and implement a social media strategy that reflects the program鈥檚 mission, highlights student voices, and promotes engagement.
- Take the lead on documentation and archiving of student projects, exhibitions, and public-facing design work.
- Coordinate setup, staging, and takedown of major events, including the Senior Showcase, SASH, and other community events.
- Represent the Graphic Design program at internal and external events in a leadership capacity.
Throughout the internship, students receive ongoing mentorship and feedback from faculty to support their growth as creative professionals and student leaders. By the end of the program, interns will have developed a strong foundation in collaborative design practices, studio operations, leadership, and community engagement鈥攅quipping them for a wide range of professional pathways in design and beyond.
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.