At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop exciting children's books for the iconic Dr. Seuss brand.
- Company: Join Penguin Random House, a leading name in global publishing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and generous paid time off.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for growth in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that shapes beloved stories for children worldwide.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in children's book design with strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 70000 £ per year.
Random House Children’s Books is seeking a highly motivated and experienced book designer to join our Brand and License art department. Under the supervision of the Assistant Art Director, the Designer will focus on the development and design of new frontlist titles and backlist initiatives for the growing Dr. Seuss publishing program with attention to brand consistency and innovation. This role requires bookmaking proficiency in multiple formats, including picture books, board, novelty, and activity books for Dr. Seuss books. In this fast-paced, collaborative environment, the Designer needs to be highly organized, process-oriented, and a strong collaborator.
The ideal candidate will be a creative, collaborative, and enthusiastic designer with interest in working within the Dr. Seuss Brand. This candidate has experience working on children’s book titles and is familiar with the market and industry as well as the Dr. Seuss Brand, with a strong sense of color and design in children’s books. This candidate will be an active team member, working closely with the art director, illustrators, editorial, and production on multiple books at a time and maintaining their own schedules. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a variety of projects that reach a global audience.
Please apply using our ATS system by March 10, 2026, and include your resume, cover letter, and design portfolio, either as a link or PDF attached to your digital application. For consideration, before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and look over our hybrid and open-to-remote guidelines on our FAQs page.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Work collaboratively with Assistant Art Director, and editorial partners to support and develop projects, and meet the Dr. Seuss brand objectives
- Responsible for the effective, high-quality design of assigned titles from concept to final art
- Work with illustrators from initial sketch development, revisions, and final art as needed for covers and interiors of assigned titles
- Prepare book mechanicals for routing, approvals, and release print-ready files to production per printer standards, with attention to detail, schedules and deadlines
- Create digital sales material for assigned titles
- Research and pitch new artists; responsible for bringing appropriate samples and/or materials to art/editorial meetings
- Attend and participate in production meetings, team meetings, and meetings with supervisor and editors for specific projects
- Self-manage workload to meet deadlines and prioritize accordingly.
Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:
- A minimum of 4 years in a children’s book design publishing position with an emphasis on highly illustrated titles is preferred
- Exceptional attention to detail with a strong knowledge of pre-press, 1-color and 4-color printing process, and PDF workflow
- Strong design skills with a focus on typography, and layout design for illustrated books
- Highly proficient in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) and other relevant design tools as applied to print publishing and for the preparation of print‑ready files.
The salary for this position is $66,500. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results. This hybrid position has occasional in-office responsibilities, including but not limited to in-office meetings, author visits or events, and daily ad hoc administrative projects. 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).
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.
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.
Children\'s Book Designer, Brand & License, Random House Children\'s Books (Hybrid) employer: Knopf Doubleday Group
Contact Detail:
Knopf Doubleday Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Book Designer, Brand & License, Random House Children\'s Books (Hybrid)
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that align with children's book design. Highlight your creativity and attention to detail, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn or attend local publishing events. Building connections can open doors and give you insights into the company culture at Random House.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Dr. Seuss and understanding their brand. Be ready to discuss how your design style fits with their vision and how you can contribute to their exciting projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Don’t forget to tailor your cover letter to highlight your passion for children’s books and your design expertise.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Book Designer, Brand & License, Random House Children\'s Books (Hybrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills: Make sure your design portfolio is top-notch! Include a variety of children’s book designs that showcase your creativity and understanding of the Dr. Seuss brand. We want to see how you bring stories to life through your designs!
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for children's books and the Dr. Seuss brand. Let us know why you're excited about this role and how your experience aligns with our needs. Personal touches go a long way!
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: In your application, highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple projects while keeping everything on track. Show us how you manage your workload effectively!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our ATS system! It’s the best way for us to receive your application. Make sure to include all required documents like your resume, cover letter, and portfolio by the deadline. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Knopf Doubleday Group
✨Know Your Dr. Seuss
Before the interview, dive deep into the Dr. Seuss brand. Familiarise yourself with the characters, themes, and design styles that define these beloved books. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you discuss how your design ideas can align with the brand's vision.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure your design portfolio is up-to-date and tailored to children's book design. Include examples that highlight your proficiency in various formats like picture books and novelty titles. Be ready to discuss your creative process for each piece, especially how you collaborated with others during those projects.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with an Assistant Art Director and other team members, be prepared to answer questions about your collaborative experiences. Think of specific examples where you successfully worked as part of a team, managed feedback, and contributed to a project’s success.
✨Master the Technical Skills
Brush up on your technical skills, especially in Adobe Creative Suite. Be ready to discuss your experience with pre-press processes and how you ensure high-quality designs. You might even want to bring along a few tips or tricks you've learned that could benefit the team!