Intern, Digital Services, Design

Job Description

About the Company:

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading independent, nonpartisan foreign policy think tank and publisher. Its mission is to be a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Based on the job description, CFR leverages data-driven insights and visual communication to effectively convey complex foreign policy research and information to a broad audience through various digital channels, events, and reports.

Job Description:

This is a Paid Internship opportunity for an Intern, Digital Services, Design, available in NYC or remotely. The role is focused on the intersection of design, data visualization, and digital communication within the foreign policy domain.

Major Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Interactive Data Visualization Development: Assisting in the creation and refinement of interactive data visualizations with a strong emphasis on clarity, usability, and enhancing the overall user experience.
• Visual Representation of Data: Producing compelling visual representations of foreign policy data sets. This involves utilizing various tools such as scripting libraries, third-party software, and other industry-standard applications.
• Data-Driven Content Creation: Contributing to the development of comprehensive data-driven reports, engaging presentations, and informative infographics, specifically by translating intricate information into easily understandable visual formats.
• Style and Standards Adherence: Supporting ongoing initiatives related to data visualization style, ensuring all visual content maintains consistency and aligns with CFR’s established visual identity and data representation standards.
• Animated and Interactive Storytelling: Participating in the creation of animated data visualizations and/or developing interactive, data-driven storytelling content to present complex narratives dynamically.
• Event and Conference Support: Aiding in the design of data-centric materials and concept development for at least one CFR event or conference, focusing on creating impactful visual aids to support presentations and enhance attendee understanding.
• Social Media Content Creation: Developing engaging, data-driven visual content tailored for CFR’s social media channels, crafting shareable graphics that effectively communicate key insights derived from foreign policy research.

Qualifications:

• Academic Standing: Applicants must be an undergraduate student, actively majoring in visual communication design, data visualization, data journalism, or a closely related academic field.
• Coursework Completion: Candidates must have successfully completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (excluding AP classes taken in high school) by the time their internship is scheduled to begin.
• Relevant Experience: Demonstrated relevant research experience in areas such as web design, UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience), graphic design, and/or data visualization is required.
• Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio is required to showcase design and data visualization work.
• Attention to Detail: Possessing strong attention to detail and demonstrating resourcefulness in problem-solving.
• Language and Writing Skills: Proficiency in business-level English and strong, high-level writing abilities are essential.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Preferred Technical Skills: Experience with specific data visualization and programming tools is preferred, including:
• Datawrapper
• Adobe Illustrator
• Python/R (for data analysis and scripting)
• Javascript (specifically D3.js, ObservableHQ for interactive web visualizations)