Graphic Designer Internship– Summer 2026, Full Time/Paid/12 Weeks

Compensation Details:

$22.00 per hour

Why should you join our team?

We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

Job Description:

Your Responsibilities

Your primary focus as a Consumer Marketing – Graphic Designer Intern will be in the following areas:

Brand Creative

Ace delivers a unique brand message that combines the three key values of service, convenience, and quality. We differentiate in the market by illustrating to our consumer that our associates are knowledgeable, our stores are closer and faster, and we have quality brands and differentiated products that we stand behind.

• Work with In-house Creative Team to learn creative strategy and execution in all mediums.
• Support senior level in creation of various omni-channel creative –including web, email, app, display and social

National Promotions

As part of our annual marketing plan, Ace will coordinate the national planning, marketing and execution of consumer driven sales events.

• Review and contribute creative feedback on sales campaign creative across channels
• Participate in creating promotional creative for key categories & brands

Local Marketing

Drive best practices, brand consistency, speed to market and customization that makes each individual store stronger in their local market.

• Develop hyper local media assets (digital, email, social)

The ideal intern will possess the following:

• Working towards a bachelor’s degree in the following area(s): Graphic Design, Digital Design or UI design for marketing and/or advertising
• Entering Senior year of college (either Dec 26' or May 27' graduate)
• Solid understanding of retail advertising and marketing best practices of a small business
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite & Figma – Online Portfolio Preferred
• Creative thinker with a strong sense of user-centered design principles, responsive design, accessibility and what’s required for a great user interface. Interested in ideas but understands execution is equally important.
• Proficient with Macintosh platform (OSX)
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel Power Point)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Adaptability and ability to learn quickly in high-pressure environments
• Ambitious self-starter who has demonstrated the ability to contribute as an effective team member
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated motivation and initiative to succeed
• Knowledge and interest in Ace Hardware Corporation
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, Monday -Friday for 12 weeks
• Willingness and ability to give presentations to colleagues, managers, and directors

Why Ace?

Ace Hardware (headquartered in Oak Brook, IL) is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated stores in approximately 60 countries.  Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks.

Ace has retained its #5 position in the annual Franchise Times Top 400 List in 2023.  Unmatched customer service is a cornerstone of the Ace Hardware brand. We are a 100-year-old retailer that supports its owners with programs that leverage their local expertise, giving them a distinct advantage over their big box competitors and has resulted in Ace retailers being named by JD Powers #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retailers, 16 out of 18 years.  The Helpful Spirit transcends the enterprise with Ace Hardware Corporation consistently ranking amongst the top workplaces in Chicagoland.

Location Description
Ace Hardware corporate headquarters is about 20 miles west of Chicago and you’ll get the very best of city and suburban life – prestigious shopping, dining, recreation, performing arts and historical neighborhoods. Our brand new corporate facility opened in September 2023 and has state of the amenities such as a work-out facility, underground parking and upscale cafeteria.  We work in the office the majority of the week and enjoy everything our new facility has to offer together as a team.

2026 Summer Internship Program Overview