Assistant Designer (NYC Hybrid)

HarperCollins Publishers•New York, NY

18h•$55,000•Hybrid

About The Position

HarperCollins Publishers seeks an Assistant Designer with a passion for manga, manhwa, and manhua to join our graphic novel imprint, HarperAlley. Launched in the fall of 2020, HarperAlley is a collaborative, creator-focused publisher of graphic novels for readers of all ages ranging from children to adults. Th e Assistant Designer will be an integral part of the team, working with creators, licensors, and in-house team to design books that stand out in the rapidly growing graphic novel marketplace.

Requirements

1+ years of relevant work experience required
A proven ability to envision and execute outstanding design
Keen eye for detail and experience working with the production teams to ensure high quality end products
Strong typographic skills; Hand-lettering skills a plus
Understanding of manga, manhwa, and manhua book techniques, marketplace, and knowledge of current trends
Strong organization, time management, and communication skills
Thorough knowledge and experience with InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, ClipStudio and related applications
Passion for graphic novels a must

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of children’s and young adult publishing field a plus
Preferred candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively in both Japanese and English.

Responsibilities

Create and execute arresting jacket and interior designs under general supervision
Follow design workflow and adhere to tight deadlines
Assist all phases of design process and production process.
Prepare mechanical files and production-ready layouts for print, coordinate with the production team to create files for proofs and assist with color-reviews.
Participate in group creative discussions
Collaborate and effectively work with freelancers and creators
Communicate with in-house departments to keep workflows moving smoothly
Archives files into DAM
Create dummies/mockups as well as other sales materials for sales presentations
Work closely with Art Director to keep them informed on project and production status
Provide general administrative support, including coding and processing invoices, archiving files and contracts, updating and maintaining Biblio, etc.