Designer, Dial Books

Job Description

Designer, Dial Books for Young Readers and Rocky Pond Books (Open to Remote)

Penguin Young Readers is looking for a Designer to create trade hardcover children's books for two imprints, Dial Books for Young Readers and Rocky Pond Books.
Our art department works with two imprints Dial Books for Young Readers and Rocky Pond Books. We publish between 80 to 100 titles a year, including many bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators. Including such standouts as Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri's Dragons Love Tacos, Cori Doerrfeld's The Rabbit Listened, Pedro Martín's Mexikid, Tyler Feder's Dancing At The Pity Party, B.J. Novak's The Book with No Pictures, and Emma Straub and Blanca Gómez's Very Good Hats.

The designer will focus on all stages of book development, from manuscript through bound book -covers, interiors, art direction-for Picture Books, Illustrated Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, as well as the design of the text interiors for Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels. This position will report to the Art Director, and collaborate closely with the editors, illustrators, authors, managing editors, and production managers.

We seek an enthusiastic designer who will embrace the challenge of creating beautiful books and enriching each author's and illustrator's vision. Our ideal candidate is eager to learn, creative, motivated, organized, detail-oriented, collaborative, imaginative, inventive, enthusiastic about children's publishing, and has a love of books and artwork in general.

This talented designer should be ready on day one to take a manuscript shape it from the design concepts and editorial requests and through all subsequent passes to the finished book. We are looking for excellent design skills, unique vision, a designer who will elevate the look and feel of each book, creating eye-catching, striking cover designs, and who will bring a sense of playfulness and inventiveness to the title treatments and typography. This designer should be familiar with the book structure and layout, creating clean and kid-accessible page layouts and type design. This designer should also have experience composing full novel text interiors, with an eye for typography, proportion, and a detailed touch are all central to creating an interior design that supports the read rather than distracting from it. We also welcome this designer to be an active particiant in seeking new talented illustrators to pair with our manuscripts.

We work very collaboratively with our illustrators, so excellent communication skills, and experience with writing sketch/art feedback letters are a must. This designer will be the illustrator's point person, compiling editorial feedback and providing guidance and art direction through all phases of art development, thumbnails, sketches, through final color artwork. We are looking for a designer with an eye and sense for visual storytelling-someone who will consider the visual pacing of the story, the page flips, the variety from spread to spread, someone who is considering most effective ways of combining art and text to enhance the reading experience.

Please apply using our ATS system by October 9, 2024, and include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House we recommend you review our applicant resources page and look over our open to remote guidelines on our FAQs page.

The Role:
• Concepting, designing, and managing all stages of book projects – from review of sketches, to type design, to color proofing.
• Executing a broad range of design styles that are appropriate for various age groups and formats . A strong sense of title branding is important.
• Working collaboratively with the Art Director and all members of the design, editorial, production and inhouse teams, from concept to final books.
• Communicating effectively with artists and agents.
• Preparing press ready files and approving proofs.
• Maintaining priorities and adhering to production schedules and deadlines.

The Essentials:
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in children's publishing book design
• Passion for children's books that includes staying up-to-date on current trends
• A portfolio that highlights strong typography skills and ability to combine type and image
• Hand-lettering and illustration skills a plus
• Enjoys creative problem-solving in a wide variety of projects
• Knowledge of pre-press, 4-color, 2-color, and specialty printing processes in a PDF workflow
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to multitask and work under tight deadlines
• Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator)
• Active involvement in the illustrator community and the ability to seek out new talent is a plus.

The salary for this position is $63,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gqwwj1-3-16-217-221-42 in your application.