Designer, PRPG Adult Imprints

Readerlink Distribution Services•San Diego, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Designer, PRPG Adult Imprints designs and prepares traditional and novelty book formats for adult publishing lists. The role works with proprietary brands and licensed properties for global distribution, including Disney, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Nightmare Before Christmas, NBC Universal, and Warner Brothers. The posting also describes designing children’s books and products, creating cover and interior designs, developing mock-ups, coordinating artwork, and collaborating with editorial, production, and design teams throughout development. The Designer manages multiple projects and timelines, prepares production-ready files and specifications, monitors schedules and budgets, researches illustrators and visual references, and helps resolve design and production issues. The work is performed in an office environment with usually moderate, low-decibel noise, in a fast-paced team setting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field is required.
Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
Strong understanding of book design and publishing processes.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a very fast-paced environment.
Passion for children’s books and awareness of current market trends.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams and remain open to feedback.
Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Methodical and organized approach to problem-solving.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely and effective manner.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience within the publishing field is preferred.
Five or more years of experience managing a demand and/or fulfillment team is preferred.
Experience with Adobe and other creative software systems is preferred.
Knowledge of preparing and posting print files is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and develop books and products.
Create cover and interior designs aligned with project goals and brand standards.
Create physical and/or digital mock-ups for concept development and presentations.
Oversee illustrators and communicate with agents to source and manage artwork.
Collaborate with editorial, production, and design teams throughout development.
Participate in brainstorming and format development, contributing creative ideas and solutions.
Identify design challenges and implement improvements independently or collaboratively.
Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and schedules.
Follow book development processes, including schedule adherence, routing passes, and reviewing project information.
Present titles, concepts, and updates in meetings.
Prepare detailed design specifications and communicate with production teams, illustrators, freelancers, and agents.
Track schedules and maintain awareness of project budgets.
Research and source illustrators and visual references for branded and non-branded titles.
Stay current on market trends, illustration styles, children’s publishing formats, competitor products, and emerging brands.
Prepare press-ready files, including preflighting and final production deliverables.
Route materials through review channels and incorporate feedback efficiently.
Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve design or production issues.
Continue developing knowledge of book production and materials.
Support additional projects and tasks as assigned; perform other duties as assigned, directed, or requested.