Viking Penguin Books is Hiring a Junior Designer (NYC/Hybrid)

Penguin Random House seeks a creative and collaborative Junior Designer to join our Viking Penguin art department. Viking Books specializes in hardcover literary and book club fiction, suspense fiction, and nonfiction from scholars, journalists and thought leaders. Penguin Books is the industry leader in paperback publishing with an extensive backlist catalog of titles as well as paperback originals and contemporary poetry.

The Junior Designer will assist and work with the Art Director and Associate Art Directors on all tasks relating to the design and production of hardcover and paperback titles across six imprints: Viking Books, Penguin Books, Penguin Classics, Pamela Dorman Books, Penguin Life, and The Open Field. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a variety of high-quality fiction and non-fiction titles by bestselling and award-winning authors.

The salary for this position is $56,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.

This is a hybrid position that will require coming into the New York city office 2-3 times per week. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 1745 Broadway, which includes the tri-state area (NJ, CT, & PA).

How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast — *How To Lose Your Mother* by Molly Jong-Fast

REQUIREMENTS

Must be proficient in the Apple Macintosh operating system and Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat)
Conceptual thinker with demonstrated proficiency with typography and design
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively
Proven ability to create and revise designs under tight deadlines
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong ability to understand assignments, ask questions, and work independently
Strong desire to learn on the job and collaborate with peers
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Preferred Skills

Bachelor’s degree in art/design preferred
Previous design experience in a publishing art department a plus
Print design experience preferred
Lettering and illustration experience and ability a plus
Basic knowledge of preparing files for print production and color correction principles a plus
Knowledge of Adobe After Effects a plus

RESPONSIBULITIES

Conceptualize and design front covers for hardcover and paperback titles
Design and typeset hardcover jacket and paperback cover mechanicals (spine, flaps, back ads)
Route, track, and maintain frontlist and backlist mechanicals through all stages (initial build, text corrections, color corrections, preflight, and final preparation and delivery of press-ready digital files to Production)
Ensure front cover assets are uploaded in a timely manner
Prepare presentations of front cover comps for review in weekly packaging meetings
Research and license art, illustration, and photography
Liaise with freelance artists (initiate purchase orders, communicate deadlines, adhere to budgets, and manage digital files)
Design, route, and deliver marketing, publicity, and/or other miscellaneous materials as requested or necessary (galleys, mockups, etc.)

BENEFITS + PERKS