Concept Development & Creative Strategy Intern - Creative Direction

Concept Development & Creative Strategy Intern - Creative Direction

Summer 2026

June 22nd to August 31st 2026

East Los Angeles, CA (Glassell Park)

About

ACRONYM is a creative firm that builds unreal experiences in the real world. We partner with ambitious brands to turn complex, slightly unhinged ideas into moments people actually feel -  through strategic thinking, technical craft, and the kind of creative problem-solving that thrives on complexity. Serious work, unserious energy.

Founded in the mid-2000s, ACRONYM started out in a small studio in East Los Angeles has since expanded to over 80 employees. Our team works across the majority of North America but has also expanded to Europe, China, and the Middle East.

In 2022, ACRONYM merged with global creative company BUCK, expanding our reach and reinforcing a shared focus on innovative, human-centered design.

Inside the Company

Our work is structured into three core areas:

1. Imagine – Concept development, narrative strategy, and multimedia design

2. Invent – Creative tech, robotics, custom engineering, and software development

3. Implement – Production, AV integration, project management, and fabrication

ACRONYM has delivered large-scale experiences for clients like Google, Netflix, McDonald’s, Gatorade, Meta, Ray-Ban, and Heineken.

Mission & Vision

ACRONYM is driven by a singular goal: to push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling through experience. We aim to create unforgettable, engaging experiences that transport and connect audiences through innovative use of technology.

Our core values are:

Innovation & Impossibility: We believe that no idea is unachievable, embracing challenges as opportunities to identify the best tools and solutions to complex problems posed by clients.

Collaboration: We value open and collaborative relationships with clients and partners and emphasize teamwork as a critical component of our creative process.

Emotion & Connection: Our work is designed to evoke emotions and foster human connection, aiming to inspire wonder and bring people together through shared experiences.

Culture 

The culture at ACRONYM is highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and innovation-driven. Our team is made up of designers, engineers, artists, and technologists who value creativity, hands-on problem-solving, and storytelling through cutting-edge technology. We emphasize emotionally resonant work and seamless integration of the digital and physical.

We support open communication, experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration. We offer a flexible work culture, creative freedom, opportunities to work on high-impact projects, and professional growth through workshops and internship programs.

About the Role

ACRONYM is seeking a highly curious and imaginative Concept Development & Creative Strategy Intern to join our Concept & Strategy team. Reporting directly to the Creative Director, this role supports the development of experiential concepts, brand narratives, and innovation-driven creative solutions across integrated campaigns and live experiences.

Ideal candidates are passionate about creativity, culture, storytelling, technology, and human behavior. They are naturally curious, visually minded, and excited by the challenge of turning abstract ideas into tangible experiences.

Working alongside creative leaders, strategists, designers, producers, and technologists, you'll contribute to ideation, concept development, experience design, creative storytelling, and presentation development from early exploration through client pitches and presentations. 

What You'll Do

• Participate in brainstorms and concept development sessions for live experiences, campaigns, and interactive installations
• Help develop experiential concepts, audience journeys, interaction mechanics, and creative platforms
• Create moodboards, visual references, and inspiration materials to support concept development 
• Support creative storytelling and presentation development for client pitches
• Collaborate with strategists, designers, and technologists to evolve ideas from early concepts into tangible experiences
• Conduct research on cultural trends, emerging technologies, and human behavior to inform creative thinking

Required Skills

• Strong conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
• Strong visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to translate research and insights into creative ideas
• Experience creating presentations, moodboards, or visual storytelling materials
• Proficiency in presentation development
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Experience with Figma and collaborative creative workflows
• Familiarity with AI-powered creative tools and emerging technologies
• Interest in experiential design, live events, immersive experiences, and storytelling
• Portfolio or personal projects demonstrating creative thinking and idea development

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Creative Director and collaborates closely with strategists, designers, producers, and technologists across the creative organization.

What You'll Get

• Paid internship ($21.00/hr) College Credit if available
• Real project experience with exposure to a variety of projects, methodologies and technologies
• Mentorship from senior creatives and cross-functional teams
• Networking opportunities with other interns, ACRONYM team members, and industry partners
• A stronger portfolio and resume through hands-on work

Position Details

• Reports To: Creative Director
• Job Status: Full Time (32 - 40 hours weekly)
• Hourly Rate: $21.00 Hourly
• Location: Office in Glassell Park, CA (East Los Angeles)
• Duration: 9-12 weeks (June 22nd to August 31st)
• Onsite Requirements: Work is hybrid 

1. Monday through Friday
2. 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (32 to 40 hours weekly)
3. In office Days - Tuesday & Thursday weekly