Graphic Designer - Internship - Barcelona

papernest
Full-timeβ€’Barcelona, Spain

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Internship

Company: papernest

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: Internship

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: November 19, 2025

Experience Level: 0-2 years (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote)

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Contribute to the creation and evolution of papernest's visual identity by designing a wide range of visual assets for various communication channels.

  • Participate directly in the redesign of the company's visual identity, including brand guidelines, illustrations, and iconography, ensuring brand consistency.

  • Produce marketing content for acquisition campaigns, email marketing, and corporate communications, adapting visuals to specific channel requirements.

  • Assist in organizing and updating brand resources, including logos, icons, templates, and guidelines, to maintain an efficient asset management system.

  • Engage in creative monitoring and benchmarking to identify design inspiration, industry best practices, and competitive analysis to inform design strategies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is specifically an internship, targeting students looking for practical experience in graphic design within a fast-paced scale-up environment. The focus is on hands-on contribution to brand evolution and marketing content creation, offering a broad exposure to visual communication strategies.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Visual Asset Creation: Design and develop a variety of visual assets, including presentations, brochures, social media posts, and digital/print visuals, strictly adhering to papernest's established visual identity guidelines.

  • Brand Identity Redesign Contribution: Actively participate in updating and refreshing the company's visual identity by contributing to the evolution of brand guidelines, illustrations, and iconography.

  • Marketing Content Production: Adapt and create visual content tailored for specific marketing initiatives, such as customer acquisition campaigns, email marketing outreach, and internal/external corporate communications.

  • Brand Resource Management: Support the organization and maintenance of brand assets, including logos, icons, templates, and style guides, ensuring they are up-to-date and easily accessible for internal teams.

  • Creative Research and Analysis: Conduct creative monitoring, research industry best practices, and perform competitive analysis to gather design inspiration and inform future creative directions.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Graphic Designer and other teams to understand project requirements and deliver visually compelling solutions that align with business objectives.

  • Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline design workflows and asset management processes, contributing to overall team efficiency.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and strategic support, indicating the intern will handle diverse tasks from daily asset creation to contributing to larger brand initiatives. The inclusion of "marketing content production" and "acquisition campaigns" suggests a strong link to GTM (Go-To-Market) efforts, requiring an understanding of how design impacts customer acquisition and engagement.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, or a closely related field.

Experience:

  • Prior internship or project experience in graphic design or visual communication is beneficial, though not strictly required for an internship role.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in Design Software: Expert-level skills in Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop are essential for creating and manipulating visual assets.

  • Visual Communication: Strong understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and layout to create aesthetically pleasing and effective visuals.

  • Brand Consistency: Ability to meticulously adhere to and apply brand guidelines to ensure visual identity is maintained across all deliverables.

  • Adaptability & Teamwork: Capacity to work effectively within a fast-paced team, share ideas constructively, and adapt to evolving project needs.

  • English Fluency: Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken, for effective communication within an international team.

Preferred Skills:

  • Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Experience with After Effects or Premiere Pro is a significant advantage, enabling contributions to animated graphics and video content.

  • Illustration & Iconography: Skills in creating custom illustrations and icons that align with brand style.

  • Marketing Acumen: Basic understanding of marketing principles and how visual design supports campaign objectives.

  • Creativity & Innovation: A proactive approach to suggesting new design ideas and solutions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop highlights the core technical requirements. The preference for After Effects/Premiere Pro suggests potential future growth areas within the role or company. The requirement for English fluency is critical given the international nature of papernest.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Design Fundamentals: Showcase a range of design projects demonstrating proficiency in layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

  • Software Proficiency: Include examples that clearly highlight your skills in Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop, showcasing complex use of these tools.

  • Brand Application: Present at least one project where you applied or adapted existing brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to maintain visual consistency.

  • Versatility: Include examples of different types of visual assets (e.g., social media graphics, presentation slides, digital ads) to illustrate breadth of skill.

Process Documentation:

  • While a formal process documentation requirement isn't expected for an internship, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for design projects, from brief interpretation to final delivery.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to manage design files and assets efficiently, potentially through examples of personal organization systems.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For an internship, the portfolio is less about formal process documentation and more about demonstrating foundational design skills and software proficiency. The ability to discuss one's own design process and file management is key to showing how they would integrate into the team's workflow.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €800 per month (as specified in the job description).

Benefits:

  • Competitive Internship Compensation: Monthly stipend of €800 to recognize your contribution.

  • Partner Services: Access to various partner services (restaurants, healthcare, mobility) via a papernest badge.

  • Meals: A healthy and balanced breakfast is provided every Tuesday.

  • Career Development Support: Personalized support and guidance for skill development and future career preparation, with opportunities to lead projects.

  • Hybrid Work Model: One day of remote work per week to enhance focus and efficiency.

  • International & Inclusive Environment: Opportunity to work within a diverse team with over 46 nationalities.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with one day of remote work flexibility. The exact daily schedule within the hybrid model will be clarified during the interview process.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The €800 monthly compensation is a specific figure for this internship. The benefits highlight opportunities for professional growth and practical perks, emphasizing that this is not a "coffee and photocopy" internship. The hybrid model with 4 days in office requires active participation in the Barcelona office.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / SaaS (Software as a Service) - focused on simplifying essential contract management for consumers.

Company Size: Over 900 employees, indicating a well-established scale-up with robust processes and a significant market presence.

Founded: 10 years ago, suggesting a company with a proven track record and significant growth trajectory, now operating in France, Spain, and Italy.

Team Structure:

  • The Graphic Designer intern will report to DΓ©borah, the Brand Designer, and work closely with her. This indicates a focused mentorship structure within the design team.

  • The design team likely collaborates with marketing, product, and content teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and visual representation across all touchpoints.

Methodology:

  • papernest emphasizes innovation and customer-centricity, aiming to simplify lives through technology.

  • The company culture appears to be one of continuous investment, growth, and fostering talent, as evidenced by their focus on career development for interns.

  • Data-driven decision-making and efficiency are likely core operational principles, aligning with the need for strong visual communication to support GTM strategies.

Company Website: https://careers.papernest.com

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: papernest is a scale-up with a mission to simplify life for its customers. The company culture is described as international, inclusive, and focused on career development, suggesting a supportive environment for interns to learn and contribute. The emphasis on growth and innovation is typical of successful tech scale-ups.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This internship is positioned at an entry-level, foundational stage for a career in graphic design and visual communication. It provides exposure to real-world application of design principles within a business context.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report directly to the Brand Designer, DΓ©borah, ensuring focused mentorship and direct guidance on design tasks and career development.

Operations Impact: While an intern, the role's impact is primarily on supporting the Brand Designer and contributing to the visual consistency and effectiveness of marketing and communication materials. This directly supports the company's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by enhancing brand perception and campaign performance.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in core design tools (Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop) and potentially explore motion graphics (After Effects, Premiere Pro).

  • Brand Strategy Exposure: Gain practical experience in applying and evolving brand guidelines, understanding the strategic importance of visual identity in a growing company.

  • Cross-functional Understanding: Learn how design integrates with marketing, product development, and overall business objectives within a scale-up environment.

  • Portfolio Enhancement: Develop a robust portfolio with real-world projects and client work, crucial for future career opportunities in design.

  • Industry Experience: Obtain valuable experience in a fast-growing European tech scale-up, offering a strong foundation for future roles in design or related fields.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This internship is designed as a significant learning experience. Growth opportunities are focused on skill acquisition, practical application, and building a professional portfolio, rather than immediate advancement into a senior role. The direct mentorship from the Brand Designer is a key factor in this growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Barcelona and operates on a hybrid model, requiring 4 days of in-office presence and offering 1 day of remote work per week.

Office Location(s): Carrer de Ramon TurrΓ³, 200, Barcelona, 08005, Spain. This location is likely in a vibrant part of the city, facilitating commuting and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Atmosphere: The emphasis on teamwork and an international environment suggests a dynamic and engaging workspace where ideas are shared openly.

  • Tools & Technology: Interns will have access to the necessary design software and technology to perform their duties effectively, likely within a modern office setup.

  • Team Interaction: Significant opportunities for direct interaction with the Brand Designer and other team members, fostering a learning and supportive atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A typical full-time schedule (around 40 hours/week) is expected, with the flexibility of one remote day. This allows for focused work and better work-life balance.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature of the work environment, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The Barcelona office is central to the hybrid experience.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial HR Interview: Conducted by Juliette (Talent Acquisition Partner) to assess cultural fit, understand motivations for the internship, and review basic qualifications.

  • Practical Case Study: A hands-on design challenge to evaluate creativity, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with design tools (Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop). This is a critical step to demonstrate practical abilities.

  • Final Interview: With DΓ©borah (Brand Designer) to delve deeper into design approach, portfolio specifics, and assess suitability for the team's creative workflow.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curated Selection: Present a concise portfolio showcasing your strongest and most relevant work, emphasizing projects that align with papernest's brand and the internship's responsibilities.

  • Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain your design process, the problem you were solving, your role, and the outcome. Highlight how you used specific software.

  • Visual Identity Examples: Include any work demonstrating an understanding of brand guidelines or visual identity development.

  • Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your mastery of Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop. If you have motion graphics experience, include those examples too.

  • Clarity and Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically with clear descriptions and high-quality visuals. A PDF format or a well-structured online portfolio link is recommended.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brief: Carefully read and dissect the case study brief, identifying key objectives, target audience, and constraints.

  • Time Management: Allocate your time effectively to ensure you can complete all required elements of the case study within the given deadline.

  • Focus on Core Skills: Prioritize demonstrating your proficiency in the required design tools and your ability to create visually compelling assets.

  • Brand Alignment: If possible, consider papernest's existing brand aesthetic when approaching the case study, showing you've done your research.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess both foundational skills and practical application. The case study is a crucial element, so candidates should prepare by practicing design challenges and familiarizing themselves with papernest's brand.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for collaborative design, UI/UX prototyping, and component-based design systems. Expect to use it for various visual asset creation and potentially UI elements.

  • Adobe Illustrator: Critical for vector graphics, logo design, illustrations, and detailed artwork that requires scalability.

  • Adobe Photoshop: Used for raster image editing, photo manipulation, digital painting, and creating complex visual compositions.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Preferred Tools (Bonus):

  • Adobe After Effects: For creating motion graphics, animations, and visual effects for digital content.

  • Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing and post-production of marketing or corporate videos.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop is non-negotiable. Experience with After Effects and Premiere Pro is a strong differentiator, suggesting the company may have a need for animated or video content.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer Centricity: A core value at papernest, meaning all design work should ultimately serve to simplify the customer experience and communicate value effectively.

  • Innovation & Proactivity: Encouragement to experiment, suggest new ideas, and take initiative in design solutions.

  • Collaboration & Inclusivity: Working effectively in a diverse, international team, respecting different perspectives and contributing to a positive atmosphere.

  • Efficiency & Agility: Operating in a fast-paced scale-up environment requires adaptability, quick learning, and efficient execution of design tasks.

  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design projects from concept to completion, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Design work is integrated with marketing, product, and other departments to ensure cohesive brand messaging and campaign effectiveness.

  • Feedback Loops: Openness to constructive feedback from peers and superiors to refine designs and improve outcomes.

  • Knowledge Sharing: A culture that likely encourages sharing design inspiration, best practices, and learnings across the team.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of creative contribution and business alignment. The intern is expected to be a proactive, collaborative member of an international team, contributing to the company's mission and growth.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Brand Guidelines: Initially learning to balance creative expression with the strict adherence required by established brand identity.

  • Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of a scale-up, managing multiple projects, and meeting tight deadlines.

  • Technical Skill Expansion: Rapidly acquiring or deepening proficiency in multiple design tools, including potentially motion graphics software.

  • Cross-functional Communication: Effectively translating design concepts and requirements to non-design stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Hands-on Design Experience: Direct application of design skills on real projects for a growing European company.

  • Mentorship: Guidance from an experienced Brand Designer to refine technical skills and understand design strategy.

  • Portfolio Building: Creating tangible assets and case studies for a professional portfolio.

  • Industry Exposure: Gaining insight into the operations and visual communication strategies of a successful tech scale-up.

  • Networking: Building professional connections within an international team.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an internship in a dynamic environment, offering significant learning opportunities. The company's commitment to intern development is a key draw.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Philosophy: Be prepared to discuss your personal approach to design, how you interpret a creative brief, and what inspires your work.

  • Brand Understanding: Articulate how you approach maintaining brand consistency while still being creative. Research papernest's current visual identity and be ready to offer thoughtful observations (without being overly critical).

  • Problem-Solving: Think about a design challenge you faced in a past project (academic or personal) and how you overcame it. Focus on your process and the outcome.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Motivation: Clearly articulate why you are interested in an internship at papernest specifically, and what you hope to gain from the experience.

  • Teamwork: Provide examples of how you have collaborated effectively in team projects and handled differing opinions.

  • Learning Agility: Discuss your approach to learning new software or design techniques and how you stay updated with industry trends.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling: For each piece in your portfolio, tell a brief story: What was the objective? What was your role? What software did you use? What was the result?

  • Showcase Software Skills: Clearly point out how you've utilized Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop in your projects. If you have motion graphics experience, highlight those examples.

  • Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate skills relevant to papernest's needs (e.g., social media graphics, presentations, marketing collateral).

  • Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful pieces.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills and cultural fit. Demonstrating enthusiasm for papernest, a clear understanding of design principles, and proficiency in the required tools will be key to success.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this internship position:

  • Submit your application through the papernest careers portal.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of your work in Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop, and ideally includes social media graphics or presentation designs.

  • Resume Optimization: Highlight relevant coursework, any prior design experience (even academic projects), and your proficiency with the specified design software. Clearly state your availability for a 6-month internship.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and motivations for seeking this internship. Prepare to discuss your portfolio and your approach to creative challenges.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with papernest's mission, services, and current branding to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.


Application Requirements

Candidates should be students in graphic design or a related field, proficient in design tools like Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop, and fluent in English. They should be eager to learn and able to work in a team.