Senior Designer, Children's Trade
About The Position
Bloomsbury is seeking an experienced Senior Designer to join its busy Children’s Art Department. The role reports to the Associate Art Director and is responsible for concepting, designing, and overseeing the visual development of high-quality children’s books across picture books, early readers, middle-grade, and young adult programs. The Senior Designer will play a key role on a small team: working independently, collaborating cross-departmentally, and ensuring that each title meets the highest standards of creativity, storytelling, and commercial viability. This is a NYC-based opportunity. Please note our workplace is a hybrid model.
Requirements
- 5–8+ years of design experience in children’s publishing or related industry
- Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in children’s book design (covers and interiors)
- Advanced Proficiency in Macintosh operating systems and Adobe software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro)
- Strong typographic skills and a strong eye for color and composition. Ability to pick up stylistic cues from market
- Deep knowledge of print and production processes for both mono and color projects. Strong enthusiasm for color print work especially.
- Flexibility to adapt design approaches swiftly in response to feedback. Ability to balance creative ambition with commercial awareness.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills (verbal and written).
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time well
Responsibilities
- Design and format cover, jacket, and interior files, spanning picture book, middle grade, and YA titles on the Children’s list
- Act as lead lead designer, managing all phases of design and production for a list of approximately 20-25 titles per year across age categories, with administrative and design support from the Design Assistant
- Conduct photo / art / illustrator research
- Hire and direct freelance artists and designers. Manage associated feedback, schedules, budgets, and supporting paperwork
- Prepare live picture book artwork for scanning overseas with repro house.
- Ensure artwork provided from freelance artists complies with industry standards for press-ready files
- Color-correct picture book artwork against proofs received from repro house
- Collaborate closely with editors to develop cover concepts for novel covers
- Co-art direct picture book and illustrated novel artists alongside Associate Art Director and Editorial
- Actively participate in team meetings, production meetings, and cover meetings
- Help to support, train, and mentor junior design staff
- Stay current and aware of visual trends in children’s publishing
- Keep files clearly organized and manage scheduling of own projects
- Update entries in Bloomsbury tracking and archiving systems promptly and consistently
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously within tight deadlines
- Work with Associate Art Director on other art department needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
