Game Design Intern – 2D Concept Art & Interactive World Systems

Location: Remote
Duration: 2-3 months
Type: Internship

About the Role
We're looking for a creative and detail-oriented Game Design Intern to help bring our game world to life. You'll work at the intersection of art and design — taking 2D concept art and translating it into fully realized, explorable game environments. This role is ideal for someone who loves world-building and has hands-on experience turning static illustrations into interactive, navigable spaces.

What You'll Do
Translate 2D concept art (maps, environment sketches, location illustrations) into layouts and assets suitable for a game engine
Help design and prototype interactive world/map features that let players see points of interest, take guided tours, and enter specific locations
Collaborate with artists and designers to maintain visual consistency between concept art and the in-game environment
Build or assist in building navigable "world map" style interfaces (zoom, pan, clickable hotspots, location previews)
Playtest environments and interactive features, iterating based on feedback
Document design decisions and asset specifications for the team
Participate in team critiques and brainstorming sessions for world and level design

What We're Looking For
Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Game Design, Game Art, Interactive Media, Animation, or a related field (or equivalent portfolio experience)
A portfolio demonstrating 2D concept art, environment design, or level/world design (school projects, personal work, or game jams welcome)
Familiarity with a game engine (Unity or Unreal preferred) — enough to place/arrange assets and prototype basic interactivity
Comfort with design/illustration tools (e.g., Photoshop, Procreate, Illustrator)
Understanding of basic UX principles as they apply to navigation and map-style interfaces
Strong visual and spatial thinking — able to imagine a flat illustration as a 3D or navigable space
Good communication skills and ability to take/give constructive feedback
Self-motivated, organized, and eager to learn

Nice to have:
Experience with node-based or visual scripting (e.g., Unity Visual Scripting, Unreal Blueprints)
Basic knowledge of level design principles (flow, pacing, landmarks, sightlines)
Familiarity with tools like Figma or Miro for mapping out interactive flows
Prior game jam or personal project experience

What You'll Gain
Real-world experience converting concept art into playable environments
Mentorship from experienced designers and artists
A portfolio-ready project showcasing interactive world/map design
Insight into the full pipeline from concept to interactive prototype
Potential for a full-time offer based on performance

How to Apply
Only apply if you have game designing experience or have built something in the past

Please submit:
Resume
Portfolio or links to relevant work (concept art, environment design, game prototypes)

Stipend Range: 10-20K/ month.
Subject to increase based on performance and involvement in the project