Designer, Yale Press

Position Focus :

For general-interest and scholarly books published by Yale University Press, designs jackets, covers, and interiors to create beautiful and functional books; prepares manuscripts for typesetting by outside composition vendors; reviews and adjusts interior illustrations. For book interiors, reviews illustrations for acceptability prior to submission and provides instructions for necessary changes; redraws simple diagrams; sizes and adjusts illustrations to ensure successful reproduction as line art, halftones, or 4-color images; modifies template interior designs as needed for specific books; reviews proofs; may typeset or input corrections as needed. For book jackets and covers, creates original designs in a wide range of subject areas and aesthetics, bearing in mind each book’s publishing plan; conducts image research or works creatively with author-suggested imagery as appropriate; incorporates feedback from stakeholders in Acquisitions, Marketing, and Sales departments. May research and suggest new design tools and workflows.

• Applicants should include a cover letter and portfolio of design work (website or link to an online PDF).

Essential Duties

1. Develops graphic design plan for each assigned manuscript, including text design, Macintosh sketches, evaluating illustrations and photographs, designing book jacket and binding or paper cover consistent with manufacturing, editorial and marketing objectives. 2. Executes approved design plan including writing type specifications, mark-up of the manuscript for typesetting, and sizing and cropping of artwork, layout of galleries, binding and jacket / cover mechanicals for the printer and / or binder, and dummying special titles, and examination and approval of all proofs. 3. Suggests alternative manufacturing and editorial specifications. 4. Researches photos / art work for jackets. 5. Arranges for and supervises freelance illustrators, calligraphers, photographers, or designers. 6. Designs ads and other materials for the marketing and other departments. 7. Provides general training of associates, interns and bursary students in technical and procedural matters as needed. 8. Attends preproduction and production meetings, jacket, jacket planning meetings, and trade launch meetings. 9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a related field and five years in the graphic arts experience or equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Demonstrated understanding of, and sensitivity, to book design principles, including a discerning sense of typography; ability to design interiors and covers in a wide range of subject areas; and the ability to design creatively under budgetary constraints. Applicants should include a cover letter and portfolio of design work (website or link to an online PDF).

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite : InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Illustrator. Facility with Microsoft Office : Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Knowledge of offset and digital book and component printing processes, an understanding of how to design for these media and to prepare files that will print well, and an ability to evaluate proofs and adjust files to solve problems.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively; ability to handle details with minimal supervision; excellent organizational and other administrative skills, such as digital file management and expense processing. Must be able to work under pressure with multiple concurrent deadlines.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Excellent communication skills; a cooperative and collegial working style; the ability to anticipate challenges and suggest helpful solutions; and a willingness to embrace new tools and workflows.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

3-4 years of staff-level demonstrated experience in book design. Illustration skills. Demonstrated experience designing and / or producing reflowable and non-reflowable ebooks. Familiarity with XML, html, epub or TeX.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.