Art & Graphic Design InternshipAt — Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

Description - The 26 acre Arboretum and Botanical Garden at CSUF offers a studio based internship grounded in visual inquiry, concept development, and professional practice through the Engaging Environmental Experiences program. Students create original artwork and design solutions that interpret environmental research through narrative composition and strategic visual communication within a client based context.

Interns engage in sustained image making, visual research, observational study, and iterative development to translate botanical and ecological content into cohesive visual outcomes. Emphasis is placed on drawing, authorship, visual storytelling, and the integration of typography and layout systems that support illustrated content. This internship positions art practice as a central interpretive and communicative tool in a professional setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop original illustrations from initial sketches through final execution for interpretive signage, educational materials, and community programming
• Translate scientific and environmental research into narrative based imagery
• Demonstrate process through sketch development, compositional studies, refinement, and critique
• Integrate typography, hierarchy, and layout systems that support and enhance illustrated content
• Produce hand drawn and digital illustration for publications, signage, social media, and promotional materials
• Participate in formal critique, revision cycles, and collaborative feedback processes
• Present a final body of work reflecting conceptual growth, technical development, and professional standards

Student Learning Objectives

• Strengthen drawing based inquiry and visual narrative development
• Build a cohesive illustrative voice within applied design contexts
• Translate research into original imagery
• Integrate image and design elements into cohesive visual compositions that balance storytelling and clarity
• Develop the ability to respond thoughtfully to critique and refine work through revision
• Produce portfolio ready work demonstrating artistic authorship and strategic communication

Availability
This program is open to up to six student interns during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The internship is available to students majoring in Art with emphases in Illustration, Graphic Design and Interactive Design, Drawing and Painting, and Photography and Experimental Media. Interns MUST be enrolled in ART 495 to qualify.

Time Commitment
Interns are expected to complete a minimum of eight hours per week for a total of 120 hours per semester. Time commitments include weekly team meetings, collaborative planning sessions, and the creation of original artwork. Interns may optionally participate in one to two hours of horticultural activity per week to support observational research and deepen visual understanding of plant forms and environmental context.

Application Process
Register with the Center for Internships and Community Engagement. Submit a resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of original work to the Arboretum. Interns are responsible for arranging course credit with their academic advisor.

Training:

1. General Intern Training
2. Intern will be given tasks to complete and will provide weekly progress reports to staff for feedback.
3. Intern will be expected to meet deadlines outlined by staff.
4. Ideas for developing interpretive content and anticipated audience will be discussed with intern.

Student Learning Objectives

- Strengthen drawing based inquiry and visual narrative development
- Build a cohesive illustrative voice within applied design contexts
- Translate research into original imagery
- Integrate image and design elements into cohesive visual compositions that balance storytelling and clarity
- Develop the ability to respond thoughtfully to critique and refine work through revision
- Produce portfolio ready work demonstrating artistic authorship and strategic communication