Graphic design and digital innovation intern – AI-assisted brand development - ON-1148

Project type: Innovation
Desired discipline(s): Business, Social Sciences & Humanities, Design, Interactive arts and technology
Company: Nightingale
Project Length: 6 months to 1 year
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Mississauga, ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: CollegeUndergraduate/BachelorMaster'sRecent graduate
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

Nightingale is a contract seating manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They design, manufacture, and distribute seating solutions for a variety of markets: commercial offices, healthcare, hospitality, conference/meeting rooms, guest seating, and specialty applications.

Their product lines include ergonomic task chairs, executive chairs, conference chairs, lounge seating, stackable chairs, heavy-duty/24-hour chairs, and healthcare seating.

Nightingale is currently aiming to grow our business by expanding sales into current and new markets, upgrading our operations, and adopting digital technologies. This includes improving efficiency, modernizing systems, and enhancing customer service. These changes will help us scale sustainably and stay competitive in a fast-changing environment.

Describe the project.: 

This project focuses on enhancing Nightingale’s brand identity through the development of a cohesive, AI-assisted graphic design system. Nightingale, a Canadian furniture manufacturer established in 1928, is recognized for its craftsmanship, ergonomic innovation, and precision engineering. The company aims to strengthen how its brand story — centered on performance, comfort, and design integrity — is communicated across print and digital platforms.

The main goal is to modernize Nightingale’s visual communication by creating consistent, high-quality marketing materials and developing more efficient, technology-supported design processes. The project represents an incremental innovation in how a traditional manufacturing company applies emerging digital tools to elevate brand storytelling and operational efficiency.

The intern will design marketing and sales collateral, digital assets, and presentation materials aligned with Nightingale’s brand standards. They will research and implement AI-powered tools to enhance workflow efficiency, image quality, and creative consistency. Tasks will include developing and refining design templates, optimizing content for social and print media, and experimenting with automation for layout, photo enhancement, and asset management.

The methodology combines design thinking, iterative prototyping, and comparative analysis between manual and AI-assisted design processes. Through this hybrid approach, the project will generate both practical deliverables and process insights, contributing to Nightingale’s ongoing innovation in marketing communication.

Expected outcomes include a streamlined, technology-enhanced design workflow; a unified library of brand materials; and transferable knowledge on integrating AI tools into creative production. Ultimately, the project will strengthen Nightingale’s visual identity, improve brand consistency, and demonstrate how traditional design craftsmanship can evolve through digital innovation.

Required expertise/skills: 

Required Technical Skills
● Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) for print and digital design.
● Strong understanding of typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.
● Experience producing marketing materials, including brochures, presentations, and social media assets.
● Ability to apply brand guidelines consistently across diverse visual formats.
● Familiarity with AI-powered design tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Canva AI, Runway ML) to enhance efficiency and quality.

Additional Valuable Skills
● Experience with Figma or similar design collaboration platforms.
● Knowledge of digital marketing tools, such as email marketing platforms or CMS systems.
● Basic photography, image retouching, or 3D render direction skills.
● Strong communication, organization, and time management abilities.

Project-Specific Assets
● Creative problem-solving and openness to experimenting with new AI-driven workflows.
● Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining design precision and consistency.
● Interest in design, architecture, or the built environment, aligning with Nightingale’s brand ethos.