Junior Designer or Designer (depending on experience)

Andersen Press is looking for a highly motivated and creative junior or mid weight designer to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work for one of the UK’s best independent children’s book publishers, working on all aspects of book design, across a list that includes pre-school novelty, picture books and fiction. You will be working on iconic award-winning classics and exciting new titles from emerging talent.  

The successful candidate will be an excellent designer with a love of children’s books and a great eye for children’s design and illustration. Proficiency in Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator programmes with a good grasp and enthusiasm for beautiful typography are essential. Working on the picture book, novelty and fiction lists from conception to production, you should have excellent communication skills, enjoy working to tight deadlines, making a difference in a small tight-knit creative team and seeing your books come to life. 

Previous experience in children’s publishing would be an advantage, but if you feel you can demonstrate the talent and potential this role requires, we would also love to hear from you.

To apply please send a CV and application letter, along with 3 digital samples of your very best design work to Beccy Garrill: rgarrill@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Friday 8th October, 2021.

A detailed list of responsibilities of this position and competencies required can be found below.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

• Assist with hardback to paperback adaptations, new editions, re-issues, re-sizing, buy-ins, novelty, custom and co-ed edition publishing
• Organise reprint changes
• Create sales material for all books
• Font licenses admin and FEX maintenance as well as font research: creating and updating font catalogue
• Create in-book adverts
• Create typesetting design guides with assistance
• File creation and maintenance to include taking in amends and corrections for design and editorial; print outs: cutting and pasting then sending to artists
• Taking in all final corrections before repro and ordering colour proofs for designer and illustrator
• Work on books in conjunction with the designer as requested
• Commission illustrations with direction
• Brief agencies, illustrators and freelance designers
• Negotiate with external providers and contacts
• Supply files to other departments as needed
• Create, save and supply barcodes for each season ahead of work starting on the design
• Market research design and book trends including competition covers/design/formats/novelty/finishes
• Read and analyse book texts
• Keep the department up to date on industry events including dates for graduation shows and relevant exhibitions
• Receive and respond where necessary to all artwork submissions
• Maintain the physical and digital files of artists and illustrators, updating with new samples and work as necessary; maintain Pinterest and other online collections of artists and fonts
• Supply materials for marketing, publicity and sales teams as requested; help compile material for all sales dept, conference and book fairs to include mock up designs, dummies, 3-D visuals
• Creating POS, adverts, brand sheets
• Assist with design of Rights guides and catalogue (2 per year)
• Ad hoc projects, e.g. Christmas cards and party invites
• Log and return of artwork to and from Andersen office and artists
• Scan roughs and file for design to use; scan finished artwork in-house for reference (colour)
• Liaise with designer/production to send out artwork for scanning; check scans back from repro are correct.
• Create and load images onto Biblio and fill in any gaps where needed. Periodically checking Amazon and other online outlets have the correct images for our titles, and get them changed as and where needed
• Keep the in-house images files and Sales Material folders up to date and accessible
• Send out finished copies to illustrators and illustrator’s agent
• Attend weekly fiction and picture book production meetings, making notes and keeping abreast of all issues for design dept. 
• Keep abreast of new software and processes supported by our IT dept.

Work Autonomy:

• Responsible for planning and managing own work flow/projects, receives guidance and direction

Skills/Behavioural Requirements (competencies):

• Enthusiasm for publishing books
• Happy to liaise with artists, typesetters and agents
• Hands on attitude for all tasks
• Personal Organisation 
• Time management
• Team work
• Attention to Detail 
• Good communication 
• Adaptability and flexibility to ensure projects work to time and brief
• Initiative 
• Self-Development 
• Self Confidence 
• Interpersonal Sensitivity 
• Organisational Awareness
• Analytical Ability