Design Intern

About the Role

Lagunitas Brewing Company, founded in Northern California in 1993, is seeking a practical and creative intern for a summer assignment focused on improving how its office areas and visitor-facing spaces look, feel, and function. The work is centered on real-world observation and hands-on upgrades rather than abstract design concepts.

This project will involve assessing current spaces, developing ideas for improvement, and building an action plan for implementation. The selected intern will work with internal stakeholders and receive mentorship from the company CEO.

What You’ll Work On

• Evaluate existing office, taproom, garden, and brewery-adjacent environments to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Find ways to strengthen cleanliness perception, visual appeal, and overall atmosphere.
• Use available assets such as furniture, screens, and layout elements more effectively.
• Create improvements that serve both employees and visitors/consumers.
• Develop a structured project approach covering assessment, concept development, and rollout planning.
• Prepare recommendations that are realistic, low-lift, and aligned with the brand and culture.
• Support execution of simple, practical enhancements and document future opportunities.

Project Scope and Deliverables

• Conduct an on-site review of office and taproom/outdoor spaces.
• Capture issues related to layout, clutter, cleanliness, and movement through the space.
• Gather input through short discussions with the CEO, admin team, taproom lead, and a sample of employees.
• Translate observations and feedback into a clear experience direction for both office and taproom areas.
• Prioritize low-cost or no-cost improvements that make use of existing resources.
• Build an implementation roadmap with timing, dependencies, and rationale.
• Present proposals with expected impact and help document the next steps.
• Lead easy, practical improvements and record future ideas with estimated investment needs.

Support and Working Conditions

The project has an approximate budget of $15,000 for approved improvements, with an emphasis on making smart use of current resources. Internal admin support will be available to help with coordination and asset optimization.

This role is hybrid, with a requirement to be in the Petaluma office at least three days per week to support collaboration and help represent the company culture. The schedule may include evenings and weekends, and the work may occasionally require lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds.

Who Should Apply

Lagunitas is looking for an action-oriented, resourceful person who enjoys improving physical spaces in practical ways. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in the field, pays attention to detail and aesthetics, and can turn observations into implementable solutions while working within budget and resource limits.

Applicants should be currently enrolled in, or have recently completed, an undergraduate or graduate program at a vocational school, college, community college, or university. A cumulative GPA above 3.0 is required, and candidates must be at least 21 years old. The internship must be completed in full over a 4-month period from June 23 to October 23, with a workload of 20 hours per week.

Preferred Academic Background

• Interior Design or Interior Architecture
• Environmental Design or Spatial Experience Design
• Experiential Design

Key Relationships

• Reports directly to the CEO.
• Works closely with the Head of D&T.
• Coordinates with multiple departments across the organization.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

Lagunitas welcomes people from all backgrounds and identities. Race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, veteran status, marital status, and age are all embraced, and the company aims to provide a welcoming home for everyone.