Design Assistant (NY Hybrid)

Description

Established in 1998 and located in midtown Manhattan, Bloomsbury USA is an independent, general interest publisher of adult and children’s books which has become known for both its high-quality fiction and non-fiction for adults and children as well as its extensive Academic publishing from the world’s most recognized experts.

Bloomsbury Children's Books publishes books for readers of all ages, including Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy (Newbery Honor Award), Renée Watson’s Piecing Me Together (Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award), Salina Yoon’s My Kite Is Stuck! And Other Stories (Theodore Seuss Geisel Award), Justine Pucella Winans’ The Otherwoods (Stonewall Honor), Martin W. Sandler’s 1919 (National Book Award), Trang Thanh Tran’s She is a Haunting (Morris Finalist); as well as works by New York Times bestselling authors Brigid Kemmerer and Kalynn Bayron.

Bloomsbury is also the worldwide publisher of #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, as well as the original publisher of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in the UK.

Position Description

This entry level role reports to the Associate Art Director and supports the Executive Designer on administrative tasks for the design and production of approximately 45 titles per year. Role will also include design support for both paperback and hardcover titles.

Primary Responsibilities

• Route, track, and maintain frontlist and backlist mechanicals through all stages, ensure assets are uploaded in a timely manner
• Prepare presentations of front cover comps for review in weekly cover meetings
• Research and license art, illustration, photography, and fonts, processing both invoices and contracts as needed
• Liaise with freelancers (code invoices, communicate deadlines, and manage transfer of digital files)
• Deliver/upload visual assets/files and materials to editorial, managing editorial, marketing, publicity, sales as requested or necessary (for galleys, presentations, etc.)
• Adapt cover designs for paperback titles as assigned
• Set up hardcover jacket and paperback cover mechanicals (spine, flaps, back ads), as well as spine dies, according to senior designers’ specifications.
• Convert hardcover and paperback cover designs to audio format
• Ensure retail cover assets are uploaded into systems
• Attend to day-to-day art department / office needs (e.g. monitor and update multiple databases and spreadsheets; organize, maintain, and archive digital files, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art/design preferred
• Proficiency in Macintosh operating systems and Adobe software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro)
• 1-2 years of experience in publishing art department preferred (internships acceptable); interest in children’s books required
• Portfolio demonstrating proficiency with typography and design; print design strongly preferred
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively
• Lettering and illustration experience and ability a plus
• Basic knowledge of preparing files for print production and color correction principles a plus
  
  

Location

Candidates must reside in the NY tri-state area, and be able to work in person 2 days per week.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Bloomsbury Publishing USA is committed to a merit-based, equal-opportunity workplace. We hire, retain, and promote employees based on individual qualifications, skills, and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our company fosters an inclusive environment where all employees are treated fairly and have the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities and contributions. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and fairness in all aspects of employment.

Read more about our Mission & Values on our website. .

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid parental leave
• Hybrid Work Schedule