Job Description
Designer & Mid-Weight Designer - DK Knowledge

DK Knowledge is recruiting for two roles: Designer and Mid-weight Designer, to join our dynamic team. We create world-class books packed with rich reference content, designed to inform, inspire, and stand out. From history and culture to science and nature, our titles, including Art Annotated, The Moon, and British Book Design award-shortlisted The Periodic Table,  bring facts to life in bold, visually engaging ways.

 

As a Designer, you will combine creative flair with technical expertise to shape visually compelling, high-impact books. You’ll take projects from concept to delivery, collaborating closely with Editors, commissioning illustration and photography, and pushing design boundaries throughout the process.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Take ownership of titles from concept through to final files, ensuring every page is visually striking and aligned to the brief.

  • Create moodboards, develop visual styles, and experiment with new design techniques.

  • Commission, brief, and oversee freelance designers, illustrators, and photographers.

  • Collaborate effectively with editorial and internal teams.

  • Manage multiple projects, schedules, and budgets, proactively resolving issues.

  • Maintain consistently high creative and production standards, staying up to date with emerging design trends and technology.

 

What We’re Looking For

 

  • Proven experience designing integrated reference books.

  • A strong vision for reference design.

  • Strong skills in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; experience with Asana is a plus.

  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Clear, confident communication and a collaborative approach.

  • A portfolio that demonstrates breadth, creativity, and attention to detail.

  • Creative, adaptable, and commercially aware, able to work independently and as part of a team.

 

What We Offer

 

  • A supportive and creative environment where your ideas make an impact.

  • 25 days paid holiday in year one, plus bank holidays.

  • Generous pension scheme, volunteering policy, and charity matching.

  • Employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, and discounted gym membership.

  • Flex Fridays (1 pm finish*), plus up to 30 days remote working from abroad*.

  • DK plants a tree for every new employee. 

 

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

 

This is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of three days per week in our Pimlico office. Please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.

 

If you have a strong portfolio with relevant examples, we’d love to see it. Please submit your most recent CV, cover letter, and portfolio by Monday 16th February. Please note: we cannot accept AI-generated images as part of your portfolio.

 

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org

 

*Subject to certain criteria being met.

 

 

About our Company: 

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in. From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

We are the world's leading illustrated publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann, creating cutting-edge design and stunning visual books for the whole family. We are passionate about inspiring curiosity and bring people to books through their thirst for knowledge. With a global book loving community of over 800 colleagues in the UK, US, Germany, India, China, Spain and Australia, we produce books in over 100 countries and over 60 languages. Find out more on dk.com.

 

Company: Dorling Kindersley Limited | Job ID: 286279