About the role
Workman Publishing's children's department is seeking a creative and collaborative Senior Designer to join our dynamic team. This role will focus on developing innovative trade books for children across a wide range of formats-including board books, novelty, middle grade, graphic novels, activity books, and workbooks.
As Senior Designer, you'll play a critical role in shaping our list by creating standout designs for both original IP and brand extensions of beloved backlist titles. You will partner closely with editors, art directors, illustrators, and production teams to bring high-quality, visually engaging books to market.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design innovative, eye-catching covers
Ideate and develop full interior layouts for new projects in any format
Develop brands and logo designs
Partner with the design staff, editors, and publisher to manage multiple book projects from start to finish
Researches and oversees freelance illustrators and designers
Prepare cover mechanicals, from initial layout to final production (working with production mangers on materials and setup; prepress, color correction, and file setup; reviewing, correcting, and approving proofs; and providing final files for print)
Prepare galley covers, following a similar process
Work with colleagues in the marketing department to create original promotional materials, including social media assets
Open to mentoring junior staff
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
At least 5-7 years of design experience, primarily focused in book publishing
A strong portfolio demonstrating an eye for design, typography, and color, as well as sharp conceptual thinking and visual storytelling
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate on creative projects, present work, and discuss feedback in group settings
Able to take direction from written or spoken ideas and convert them seamlessly into high-design book interior layouts
Adept at problem-solving when a book needs some extra TLC
Experience in developing and designing series branding
Creativity, originality, willingness to experiment, learn, grow and share knowledge with the design and editorial teams
Understanding of the commercial market and design trends, branded series and commercial book covers
Proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat
Experience with prepress production, preparing files for 4-color printing using a PDF workflow
Strong knowledge of typography including paragraph, character, object, and GREP styles; parent pages highly desired
Professional experience designing and laying out long-form book interiors is required
Knowledge of book structural elements and proofreading marks.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work quickly and independently to meet deadlines
Location: New York City (Hybrid - three days per week in the office)
How to Apply: Please provide your resume and cover letter to be considered.
About Hachette Book Group
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading book publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the third-largest publisher in the world. The mission of Hachette Book Group is to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment, and opportunity. At HBG, we are guided by four core pillars: Understanding Consumers, Changing the Story, Owner Mentality, and Growth Mindset.
As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.
Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The compensation for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. Salary can vary based on a number of factors including skills, experience, and location - talk with your recruiter to learn more. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects.
The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.