internship

This is an opportunity to learn hospitality design by working alongside our founders and design team on real restaurants, hotels, bars, residences and resorts from concept through construction. 

We’re looking for a student or recent graduate in Interior Design or Architecture to join our Santa Ana, California studio for our Apprenticeship programs for FALL: August  – December, and/or Spring: January – May.  We’re happy to be flexible with the dates to accommodate school schedules). Apprentices are expected to work a minimum of three days per week (4 hours per day) in our studio and must be available for the duration of the program. 

If you’re looking for an internship where you’re told exactly what to do, this isn’t it. 

If you’re eager to learn, contribute, think critically, and build a career in hospitality design … keep reading. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Design Apprentice, you’ll begin your apprenticeship by selecting one of three Apprenticeship Tracks based on your interests and career goals. While your primary focus will be one track, you’ll gain exposure to every phase of the design process, from concept through construction. 

Design Materials & FF&E 

Develop a deeper understanding of furniture, finishes, lighting, specifications, vendor coordination, material sourcing, and library management while supporting real hospitality projects. 

Construction Documentation & Detailing 

Learn how hospitality projects are documented and built through construction document production, detailing, redlines, consultant coordination, sheet organization, and construction administration. 

Interior Design Presentation & Communication  

Learn how great ideas are clearly communicated through concept presentations, graphic layouts, 3D modeling, renderings, Photoshop, Illustrator, material boards, storytelling, and client presentations … as well as, interior design business marketing. 

No two days look exactly the same, and that’s exactly how we like it. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

We are hiring based on how you think, how you work, and the kind of teammate you’ll become. 

You might be a great fit if you are: 

• • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Architecture or interior Design; NAAB, FIDER, and/or CIDA accredited program preferred. 
  • You have completed your 3rd year of an undergraduate program or your 1st year of a graduate program. 
  • Naturally curious and eager to learn every aspect of the design profession. 
  • Resourceful, self-motivated, and willing to figure things out. 
  • Observant. You notice the details others overlook. 
  • Experienced working in a restaurant, hotel, café, resort, bar, or other hospitality environment. (Required) 

You should be comfortable with: 

• • Working in a fast-paced, collaborative studio environment. 
  • Receiving direct, honest feedback and using it to grow. 
  • Taking ownership of your work while knowing when to ask for help. 

You should have: 

• • Strong visual taste and an eye for detail. 
  • Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. 
  • Experience with SketchUp, and AutoCAD. 
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

You will need curiosity, humility, initiative, integrity, and a genuine desire to become exceptional. 

DEAL BREAKERS 

This apprenticeship probably isn’t the right fit if you: 

• Unable to commit to the Program schedule.
• Lack curiosity or a willingness to keep learning.  
• Wait to be told what to do instead of taking initiative.  
• Believe any task is “beneath you.”  
• Struggle to accept direct, constructive feedback.  
• Miss deadlines or don’t follow through on commitments.  
• Don’t pay attention to details.  
• Demonstrate poor character, disrespect, discrimination, or behavior that doesn’t reflect professionalism and integrity.  

Talent can be developed. Character cannot. 

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Every apprentice arrives with different goals, strengths, and interests. During your first week, we’ll work with you to establish a personalized set of learning objectives so you leave with the experience that’s most meaningful to your career. 

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a successful hospitality design firm. You’ll experience how projects are sequenced, how teams collaborate, how time is managed, how behavioral psychology influences design decisions, and how hospitality projects move from concept through construction. 

If we’ve done our job well, you’ll leave more curious, more confident, and better prepared for a career in hospitality design than when you arrived. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Send your Resume & Portfolio to hello@vanrooydesign.com  (5mb max)  

Successful candidates will go through our typical hiring process: 

1. Email Question Interview 
2. Phone Interview 
3. In-Person Interview 

GUIDELINES

• Standardized Naming Convention: 2027_Name_Portfolio.pdf 
• Our team does not “download” files.  Provide links to online material or PDF (no larger than 5mb) is acceptable from Google Drive, Onedrive, or Dropbox only
• Web-based portfolios such as Behance or LinkedIn are acceptable 
• NO zip files 

 If this excites you… let’s connect!