Brodel

I'm not looking to permanently move to the US but I would like a change of scenery and have been trying to find some graphic design internships to apply for.The only problem is that I don't really know where to start looking and it's been difficult to find anywhere that offers them.

I am considering just emailing various design companies to see if they would take on an intern from the UK, however I don't know how easy the visa process would be for the company involved. Is it unrealistic of me to even ask them?

civilservant

Research the J1 visa.

Bob

Depends how recently you graduated university.

henryh

I've worked for three separate small companies that have been willing to sponsor J-1 intern visas (via an external sponsor such as Intrax). These were engineering startups though, not graphic design, I have no idea how common it would be in that field. It never hurts to ask. When you do so, make sure you're a compelling candidate!

Orangepants

Take at look at this website for some guidance http://www.internsushi.com

Michael

My son is a senior producer at a graphics design studio in Los Angeles (http://www.buck.tv/) with a permanent staff of less than 20 people but can have over 100 freelance graphic artists and designers working when they are very busy. That seems to be the business model for most graphic design studios with few permanent staff and a large number of freelancers. Also most are not public companies but are LLCs or S Corporations with little possibility of ever becoming a public company and very little interest by venture capitalists. That is probably why it is difficult to find offers since the owners are typically slave drivers squeezing every bit of profit while the company is still viable. Buck.tv has done a lot more than what is indicated on their site but suspect that they are restricted from showing many of their popular commercials (Toyota, GM, Honda, Coke, MTV, etc.) on their site. However, one of their more popular commercials (Super Bowl Coke Zero James Bond commercial) is on the site.

Most graphic design studios are in LA or NYC. You may possibly have better luck with companies such as Pixar but I'm not sure they would be interested either since they are primarily looking for people with very strong technical knowledge and don't know if they have internships available or maybe even the new Google youtube facility (the old Howard Hughes spruce goose hanger) in Los Angeles.

Brodel

Cheers for the replies everyone. I realise which visa is needed, I was just curious if anyone had had a similar experience.
I guess the worst they can do is say no so I'll send a few emails and hope for the best.
Thanks again