Mountaineers Apprenticeship - Art Director/Design

About Us

We’re Yamamoto. Every brand has a mountain in its way. Moving them is what we do. Performing giant feats of imagination and strategy. Clearing paths to new success and possibilities. And when we’ve finished, the landscape has changed.

Founded in 1979, we’re a full-service creative agency that elevates brands to be as visible and impactful as possible. We’re also:

• Culturally curious explorers
• Tech-loving rabble-rousers
• Champions of challengers
• Our clients’ secret weapon for success
• Team-oriented competitors
• People who make a living by solving problems

Overview

Calling all aspiring art directors, the Mountaineers season is well underway! We're looking for the next generation of upcoming or recent graduates to join our ranks and help us move mountains.

The Mountaineers Apprenticeship Program is a six-month experience tailored to your area of interest. Be part of client teams and work on real-life assignments to make an impact. It’s paid career prep, with on-the-job training that will help prepare you for a full-time role in the agency world. Gain exposure to different departments and learn from cross-functional teams.

If you are a recent graduate and are living in the Minneapolis or Chicago areas, ask yourself:

• Do I love to jump into things headfirst?
• Am I passionate about tackling the unconventional and solving the unsolvable?
• Am I thirsty to learn the ropes of an agency and hone my craft?
• Do you exemplify our 3 C’s: Curious, Creative and Courageous?

If this sounds like you, then you found the right place. Here are the Program details:

• Program runs from June 2, 2025 – November 26, 2025
• Paid apprenticeship, $18/hour, 40 hours/week with potential for full-time position at end of internship
• Hybrid position, 50% in-office and 50% remote
• Positions available in Minneapolis and Chicago
• Open to college graduates May 2025 or before

Responsibilities

As an art director apprentice, you will be responsible for assisting with the visual direction of projects to make things people want to look at and bring new ideas that help advance our tactics. We’re looking for a versatile designer with an eye for detail and a passion for creating impactful work.

Qualifications

To be considered for an apprenticeship, candidates should meet the following qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity with industry-specific tools is a plus (e.g. Social media platforms, project management software)
• Enthusiastic, proactive and eager to learn
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges
• Passion for advertising, marketing and creative industries
• Portfolio submission of relevant work that shows what you're made of

Equal Opportunities

Yamamoto is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.