Designer, Silver Dolphin & Studio Fun

Readerlink Distribution Services•San Diego, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Silver Dolphin Books and Studio Fun International, the children’s publishing imprints of the Printers Row Publishing Group (PRPG), are seeking a Designer to join a high-performing, dynamic, and innovative team in a fast-paced environment dedicated to creating engaging novelty, licensed, and educational titles for children ages 0–12. This role reports to the Associate Art Director. This hybrid position, based in San Diego with three days in-office and two remote days, offers the opportunity to shape and execute projects from concept through approval to print. The Designer will be an active team member, working closely with the design team, editorial, production, illustrators, agents, and other partners.The Designer will help drive the development of books that delight and inspire young readers while maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence. This role requires managing multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining schedules, and contributing creatively across all stages of development. The ideal candidate will actively seek out new artistic talent and stay current with design and market trends.

Requirements

High school diploma or general educational development (GED) diploma or certificate is required.
Proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat) 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; collaborative and personable.
Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and remain open to feedback.
Clear and effective verbal communication in a variety of settings.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
A methodical and organized approach to problem-solving.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely and effective manner.
Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines simultaneously.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field is preferred.
Minimum of three (3) to four (4) years of experience in children’s book publishing or a related field is preferred.
Experience with licensed publishing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and develop children’s books and products.
Create compelling cover and interior designs aligned with project goals and brand standards.
Create physical and/or digital mock-ups to support concept development and presentations.
Oversee illustrators and communicate effectively with agents to source and manage artwork.
Collaborate closely with editorial, production, and design teams throughout all stages of development.
Participate in brainstorming and format development, contributing creative ideas and solutions.
Identify design challenges and proactively implement improvements independently or through collaboration.
Maintain ownership of multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and schedules are met.
Follow established processes for book development, including schedule adherence, routing passes, and reviewing key project information with a high degree of organization.
Be comfortable presenting titles, concepts, and updates clearly in meetings.
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate within a larger creative team while also working independently.
Prepare detailed design specifications and communicate clearly with production teams, illustrators, freelancers, and agents.
Track schedules and maintain awareness of budgets across assigned projects.
Research and source illustrators and visual references for both branded and non-branded titles.
Stay current on market trends, illustration styles, and children’s publishing formats.
Prepare press-ready files, including preflighting and final production deliverables.
Route materials through appropriate review channels and incorporate feedback efficiently.
Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve design or production issues as they arise.
Support additional projects and tasks as assigned.
Monitor market trends, competitor products, and emerging brands.
Continue developing knowledge of book production and materials.
Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested.