At a Glance
- Tasks: Support design projects for imaginative children's books and collaborate with a creative team.
- Company: Join Penguin, the UK's largest publisher, known for its innovative approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, health benefits, gym flex, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Flexible working with excellent opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Kickstart your design career in a fun, collaborative environment that values creativity.
- Qualifications: Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills and a passion for children's book design.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 29000 £ per year.
About Penguin
We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.
About the team
At Ladybird, we publish a curated list of beautiful, playful and imaginative picture books, novelty titles and non-fiction for children. Ladybird is home to a whole host of innovative, award-winning books for children aged 0-7. We are a small, friendly, collaborative team, backed by the reach of the world’s biggest publisher, and we really care about making brilliant books for children. We love to work collaboratively with authors and illustrators to create books that spark imagination, open up new ideas and help children explore and understand the world around them.
Key responsibilities
- Practical day to day design and admin support
- Supporting the other designers in the team
- Producing eye-catching and creative acquisition pitches
- Managing reprints
- Managing sales material for book fairs
- Creating dummy novelty and picture books
- Scheduling meetings and liaising with illustration agents
- Working on your own projects
What you’ll bring
- You should be able to demonstrate a keen design eye, good typographic skills, creative flair, ideas and a desire to learn. An interest in novelty books and picture books would be advantageous.
Essential criteria
- Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator)
- Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/Outlook
- An interest in design for publishing, ideally for children’s books
- Effective communication skills
- Organised, able to prioritise and juggle multiple responsibilities
- An ability to ensure that all work is delivered to a high standard and on schedule
- Resilient and flexible in their approach and able to work to tight deadlines
- Creative, willing to contribute ideas, use initiative, absorb feedback and manage changes of creative direction
- Inquisitive and keen to learn about publishing design.
Disability Confident
If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, the above are the essential criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.
Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
We anticipate a two-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview and in-person second stage interview. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.
Salary: £29,000 plus benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect the successful candidate to work from our London-based office a minimum of three days per week and offer the remaining two days to be worked remotely.
Benefits
- Income Protection
- Health assessment
- Gym flex
- Life event leave
- Dental insurance
- Cycle scheme
Please note that we do not accept any CVs via agencies, and any sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.
Design Assistant - Ladybird employer: Penguin Books
At Penguin Books, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that celebrates creativity and collaboration. As a Key Account Executive, you will not only have the opportunity to engage with passionate booksellers but also benefit from professional development programmes that encourage growth within the publishing industry. Located in the heart of the UK, our team enjoys a dynamic environment where innovation thrives, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Assistant - Ladybird
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Penguin Books.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Penguin Books, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Assistant - Ladybird
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Penguin Books does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Penguin Books.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Penguin Books. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Penguin Books.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Books
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Penguin Books. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
