Art Director, Custom & Proprietary

Sourcebooks•Naperville, IL

9d•$70,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Sourcebooks is seeking an Art Director to lead the creative execution of custom and proprietary books and products. This role involves designing visually engaging content, managing projects from start to finish, and mentoring junior designers. The Art Director will collaborate with various teams, including sales, editorial, manufacturing, and production, to ensure projects meet customer needs and quality standards. This position requires a blend of creative leadership, project management skills, and a deep understanding of design and print production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field required
10+ years of experience in book design or a closely related field
Proven track record managing multiple concurrent projects end-to-end in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated experience mentoring or coaching designers and contributing to team development
Experience working cross-functionally with sales, editorial, production, and manufacturing teams
Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat
Deep understanding of print production including offset printing, spot colors, and coatings
Strong command of composition, color theory, typography, and visual storytelling
Experience with pre-press workflows and troubleshooting format, template, and file preparation issues
Solid understanding of art and photography licensing terms and usage rights
A genuine love of books and an understanding of what engages readers
Skilled in schedule creation, resource allocation, and risk mitigation across simultaneous projects
Strong analytical mindset; experienced in diagnosing workflow inefficiencies and implementing scalable solutions
Proven ability to document, refine, and improve design workflows and cross-departmental handoff processes
Exceptional communication and collaboration skills; comfortable presenting to and influencing stakeholders at all levels
Familiarity with project management and collaboration platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, Basecamp, or similar)
Openness to exploring AI-powered design and workflow tools to improve efficiency and creative output within Sourcebooks guidelines
Willingness to experiment with emerging design technologies and evaluate their impact on quality and speed

Responsibilities

Conceive and execute visually engaging mock-ups quickly based on account and associate publisher vision
Design high-impact covers and interiors that meet the specific needs of each sales opportunity
Elevate projects through mastery of composition, color theory, typography, and innovative design treatments
Preview and troubleshoot format, template, and pre-press issues to ensure print and digital outputs meet the highest quality standards
Maintain a thorough understanding of contracts and terms around art and photography use
Own comprehensive project schedules, tracking milestones from kickoff through final delivery
Manage the approval process for all project components, facilitating timely resolution of internal and external stakeholder feedback
Implement and refine standardized workflows, documentation, and best practices to streamline reviews, approvals, and handoffs
Coordinate cross-functional teams — associate publisher, sales, editorial, manufacturing, and production — to maintain alignment and hit all deadlines
Anticipate design and production challenges; develop proactive solutions to keep projects on track
Analyze recurring bottlenecks and lead initiatives to optimize processes, tools, and communication channels
Stay current on industry trends, digital innovation, and publishing standards to inform product development and design direction
Coach and mentor junior designers, providing actionable feedback and guiding professional growth
Lead design critiques and knowledge-sharing sessions to foster a collaborative, learning-oriented environment
Advocate for a growth mindset, encouraging experimentation and peer support within the team
Partner with associate publisher, sales, editorial, manufacturing, and production to translate creative briefs into cohesive book and custom product designs
Prepare and present design concepts and mock-ups to internal stakeholders and accounts
Balance creative vision with market insights and company objectives to ensure designs resonate with target audiences
Pivot quickly from stakeholder and customer feedback, taking initiative and maintaining quality under shifting priorities