Graphic Design and Content Creation Internship

Spring/Summer 2025 Graphic Design and Content Creation Internship 

Start Date: February 2025 

Office End Date: August 16, 2025 

Application Deadline: January 5, 2025 

Pay: 

Spring: Hourly Pay $13.00 per hour. 

Summer: $5,500 Summer (paid as W-2) 

Based in the heart of downtown Des Moines, RipRoar is a driven and creative team at the top of our game. We’re on the hunt for passionate, positive people to join us for a spring/summer internship, with the potential to grow into a long-term role. 

What We Do: For the past five years, RipRoar has been Iowa’s largest producer of endurance events. In the last three years, we've expanded, creating unique experiences and activations for corporate partners and delivering well-crafted products to our community. We get involved in almost every part of the production process, from start to finish, to make sure each event, product, or experience shines. 

Our diverse event lineup includes: 

• EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon 
• The Des Moines Women’s Race 
• The Des Moines Turkey Trot
• RipRoar Youth Triathlon Series 
• Girls on the Run Spring + Fall 5K 
• Fresh 15 (Tyler, Texas) 
• Above + Beyond Cancer Ride in the Park 

We also manage, brand, and create unforgettable experiences for third-party clients like: 

• “The Pop Up Cereal Bar” for Midwest Dairy 
• SnowGlobe Christmas Experience at Exile Brewing 
• Capital City Pride Festival + Pride Stride 
• The WellPower Campaign for Above + Beyond Cancer 
• The Bravo Gala (2023) 

How We Do It: 

Great events start with great teams. We believe in building a crew that's hard-working, efficient, dependable, respectful—and most importantly—fun to be around. We challenge our team to "work ahead" by thinking about the bigger picture and working swiftly. Being part of "Team RipRoar" means making lifelong friends, spending countless hours in the sunshine, and being part of events that leave a mark on our community. 

What We Do: 

RipRoar Events is the largest endurance event production company in the state of Iowa. Throughout the journey of each event, we have our hands in nearly every aspect of production from start to finish. 

RipRoar’s event portfolio includes: 

• EMC DAM to DSM 20K 
• The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon + 5k 
• The Des Moines Turkey Trot 
• RipRoar Youth Triathlon Series 
• Girls on the Run Spring + Fall 
• 5K Fresh 15 (Tyler, Texas) 
• Heroes Run (Shreveport, Louisiana) 

How We Do It: 

Our approach to events (and work in general) is anything but traditional. We know that the power to move our brand forward lies in cultivating creativity + inspiring those who stand on our starting lines. We do this by working in an open, relaxed, and often sun-soaked environment. We value caffeinated creative sessions in the office and a well-rounded, hard-working, stop-at-nothing staff at our events. 

Who You Are: 

You are looking for an internship that is more than just a line on a resume. You know that work can be so much more than a job, and you’re willing to invest the hours necessary to make this a reality. You care about the environment you work in and the people you work with. You are a creator, innovator, big dreamer, that can help us use simple tools to build out grandiose ideas. You know that through countless tiny touch points you can make a seamless experience that moves people. You’re looking for an internship that challenges you to learn, grow, persist, and occasionally, get dirty. You know (or are willing to learn) that some of the strongest bonds to others are formed when you do something difficult together. You are the type of person we’d want to be on a road trip with. You are easy-going, hard-working, problem-solving, and ready to “give up” some of your summer weekends in exchange for the rush of doing something epic, meaningful, and empowering. You’re reading this and thinking, “this sounds perfect.” If that’s you, then we think you’re perfect too and can’t wait to hear from you. 

How Your Time Will Be Spent:

Spring Hours: During the spring semester, you’ll work 8-14 hours per week, split across 2-3 days, with in-office attendance required. This time is all about planning for our full summer of events, which includes handling logistics, ordering supplies, prepping materials, and building everything we need for a successful season. 

Summer Internship: This is a 14-week summer internship where "full-time" office hours begin on May 12, following a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. We produce an event almost every weekend (sometimes two), so no two weeks look the same. Our interns are constantly on the go—gathering, building, organizing, and ultimately producing our events. Some weeks are challenging and fast-paced, while others are more laid back, allowing you to enjoy the process and the journey. Please note that the Des Moines Women’s Race (May 3-4) and the RipRoar Championships (August 16) are part of the summer internship, but occur outside of our 14 week office hours window. Pay for these events is included as part of your summer stipend. 

What your days will look like: 

At Events: As the largest endurance event company in Iowa, we spend a lot of time at our events. On these day you will be outside building, branding, educating, encouraging, monitoring, moving, and high-fiving. You will work long hours in heat, rain, darkness, and sometimes (what we wish for) beautiful weather. These days are the culmination of all our office work, and while they might be challenging, they are some of the most memorable work days you’ll ever have. 

In the Office: Your role in the office will be design focused. You will leave this internship with a massive portfolio of content consisting of physical products ranging from wearable items to large scale printed pieces of branding to digital content in the form of social media and email campaigns with hundreds of thousands of impressions. 

Your role is to create and develop designs that are true to each specific event and audience. You will be responsible for a visual experience that will be seen and shared on social media + an important component to in-person events. 

• With assistance from our Creative Director you will, design race swag, clothing, environmental branding, social media/digital graphics, print, packaging - large and small scale. 
• Present ideas and communicate work clearly and confidently with team members. You will create, share and develop ideas on your own and in a small group. 
• Develop and implement a social media and email marketing campaign that showcases our events while also promoting our company as a whole. 
• Meet deadlines for designs + ordering dates with suppliers. 
• You will work with suppliers, both domestic and international, to create, order and accept necessary products for events 

Requirements: 

• A strong understanding of the Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator and Photoshop in addition to strong vector illustration capabilities 
• An exceptional ability to adapt brand elements, textures, and styles across various mediums and templates. 
• You must be able to commute to downtown Des Moines for each office day. 
• You must have availability to be at most of the events during your internship - list provided below. (please note, any travel to and from events as well as all lodging + food while at events will be covered by RipRoar Events). 
• You must either provide your own laptop that you feel comfortable using for creating, designing, communicating, and distributing information, or be comfortable using a provided iMac computer in the office 
• You must not have previous arrests or convictions that pertain to interacting with youth. 

Pay + Perks: 

We offer competitive pay because we understand that college students are looking for more than just experience—you need to earn money to help cover the costs of college and daily life. We believe in paying a fair wage to attract hardworking, resourceful individuals and to reward the dedication and high standards we expect from every member of our team. By investing in our interns, we build an incredible team that works together to achieve great things. 

Summer pay: $5,500.00 

Because of the varying time requirements throughout the summer, our internship pay is determined based on a summer of work and will be paid every two weeks throughout the summer. Intern pay is determined based on time spent in the office as well as at events, excluding time spent traveling. 

Where Our Internship Can Take You: 

At RipRoar, we offer more than just hands-on experience; we provide access to a broad network of industry connections and opportunities, both during and after your internship. 

This internship is unique. It’s a dynamic role that blends creativity, collaboration, and the opportunity to see your designs come to life in impactful ways. While working with us, you’ll develop skills that can lead to contractor roles with RipRoar or open doors to other exciting opportunities. Many of our former interns and team members have gone on to work with nationally recognized organizations like USA Triathlon, The American Birkebeiner, Ironman, Lifetime Fitness, and Momentum Marketing. 

Application Details: 

If this sounds like the perfect experience, we’d love to hear from you. Interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible and no later than January 5, 2025 to Michael Zimmerman (michael@riproarevents.com). 

We will review applicants as they come in and will close this opportunity once we’ve found the right fit.

Please Include: 

• Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing your design work is required. This will give us insight into your skills, creativity, and experience. 
• Cover Letter: We do not want ‘traditional templates’ for your cover letter, so please save yourself a search on “glass door”. Instead, cut the formalities and please write us a letter that shows who you are, why you’re a positive person to be around, and why this internship is the right step towards where you want to be. If there’s anything else we should know about you, throw it in. 
• Brownie Points: Video Cover Letter: Want to make your application stand out? Send us a 30-60 second video that highlights your passions, interests, and personality. Share why you're excited about this internship and what makes you a great fit for the RipRoar team. Bonus points if you include fun visuals and an epic soundtrack! 
• Resume: While we’re eager to see your personality through the your cover letter, your resume is essential for highlighting your experience, skills, and commitment. 

Current 2025 Event Dates:

The following are important event dates for our 2025 calendar. We ask that you be available for all, or the majority of all events listed below: 

• May 3 - May 4: Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon 
• May 18: Girls On The Run Spring 5K 
• May 28 - May 31: EMC DAM to DSM 
• June 6 - June 7: Capital City Pride Festival 
• June 26 - June 28: RipRoar Des Moines 
• June 29: RipRoar Des Moines 
• July 10 - July 12: RipRoar (Location TBD) 
• July 17 - July 19: RipRoar (Location TBD) 
• August 14 - August 16: RipRoar Championships - Johnston