The Corporate Bookmaking team seeks a Junior Designer or Designer to support the teams at the Penguin Publishing Group. Reporting to a senior member of the team, the Junior Designer/Designer will be responsible for the execution of all stages of interior book design for trade paperback and hardcover titles. This role provides an opportunity to collaborate and work alongside a talented team of designers and book production experts.
The Junior Designer/Designer will work closely with a roster of bestselling and award-winning imprints, including Avery, Dutton, Plume, Putnam, Tarcher and Tiny Reparations Books. The Penguin Publishing Group encompasses titles that entertain all audiences--whether that’s the global franchises of Best-Selling Authors, Tom Clancy and CJ. BOX, championing new nonfiction voices like Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay by Phoebe Robinson, popular fiction titles like Book Lovers by Emily Henry and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, life changing books like Nedra Glover Tawwab’s Set Boundaries, Find Peace and Jefferson Fisher’s The Next Conversation or finding humor and whimsy in gift books like Both Sides of the Glass, by Neil Patrick Harris.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Supports the team as needed - this may include reviewing passes, helping move a title along in the process, and answering questions from comp and production if a co-worker needs assistance.
- Creates original designs for titles across multiple imprints, genres, and formats (Designer level will be responsible for more titles per season).
- Creates reduction/rerun samples for titles moving into new formats.
- Works on spine dies and case specs.
- Prepares compositor instructions for new titles in a series with an established design.
- Corresponds with compositors to answer design queries and to meet target page count requirements.
- Provides specifications for reprint corrections.
- Creates designs for 1-color photo inserts—includes generating final PDF for printing.
- Reviews digital and hardcopy art to ensure it meets printer specifications.
- Checks printer proofs as needed.
Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:
- Minimum 1 year of experience in interior design for trade or academic books for the Junior Designer; Minimum 2 years of experience in interior design for trade or academic books for Designer level
- Portfolio demonstrating understanding of typographical and page layout conventions, and an eye for the design aesthetics of interior book design
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) with emphasis on strong InDesign skills
- Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office programs
- A general understanding of prepress and production technology for 1-color, 2 color and 4 color printing
- Self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision with good critical thinking skills
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to work efficiently on multiple projects, in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment
- Strong organizational skills and a strong attention to detail, quality, and process
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
The salary for the Junior Designer position is $56,000.00. The salary for the Designer position is $66,500. All positions are currently eligible for an annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.
Please apply by July 21, 2025 and include your resume, cover letter, and a link to an online portfolio for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.
Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.
Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.
Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.
Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
Company: Penguin Random House LLC | Job ID: 281351
