Junior Designer, Viking Penguin Books

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. 

Current and past authors include: Matt Haig, Amor Towles, Tana French, Uché Blackstock, Adam Grant, Heather Cox Richardson, Barbra Streisand, Jason De León, Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, Jamil Jan Kochi, Ruth Ozeki, A. M. Homes, Roddy Doyle, Chanel Miller, Rita Bullwinkel, Ada Calhoun, Juno Dawson, Marcela Fuentes, Karan Mahajan, Saul Bellow, J.M. Coetzee, Jack Kerouac, Amy Tan, Rio Cortez, Terrance Hayes, and Paul Tran. 

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 Junior Designer role is a NYC-based opportunity and will require in-office work as needed. 

Responsibilities: 

• 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.) 

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 

Please apply using our online application system and please include a cover letter and link to your portfolio along with your resume.  

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). 

Applications will be accepted through June 25th.  Please apply using our online application process and include a resume and cover letter with salary requirements.  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.