Jr Designer, Little Simon/Simon Spotlight

Simon & Schuster•New York, NY

10d•$55,000 - $55,000

About The Position

The Junior Designer supports the Executive Art Director and design team while developing the creative, technical, and project-management skills needed to grow within children’s book design. The role combines hands-on design ownership with collaboration and mentorship in a fast-paced, highly creative environment. The Junior Designer is responsible for designing up to 30 unique titles per year across a wide range of formats, including novelty and board books, early readers, chapter books, and graphic novels.

Requirements

A portfolio demonstrating strong design, typography, composition, and conceptual-thinking skills.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects in varying stages of development.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
A genuine interest in children’s books and visual storytelling.

Nice To Haves

Previous publishing, internship, or related design experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design book covers and interiors from initial concept through final production.
Develop thoughtful, age-appropriate design concepts that support each book’s content, audience, and position in the marketplace.
Conceptualize cover directions and prepare presentations for internal review.
Collaborate closely with editors, licensors, artists, and fellow designers throughout the creative process.
Research, identify, and commission illustrators and other creative talent, as appropriate.
Art direct illustrators and review sketches and final artwork to ensure the work fulfills the creative vision, publishing needs, and production requirements of each project.
Prepare layouts, mechanicals, and production-ready files while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
Partner with the Production team throughout proofing, prepress, and color-correction stages to ensure the quality of the finished book.
Incorporate feedback from creative, editorial, licensors, production, and other stakeholders.
Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining strong organization and attention to detail.
Provide design and administrative support to the Executive Art Director and other members of the design team as needed.
Stay informed about trends in children’s publishing, illustration, typography, and design.