NOTE: This role is based in New York City and encourages a minimum of two days per week in the SoHo office. Some roles or teams may require additional in-office attendance if the essential functions of the role require it.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Our design team is currently seeking a creative and ambitious Designer to join the Children’s Licensing, Brands & Media Trade Art Department, focusing on School Market publishing and non-fiction titles. In this role, you will be responsible for conceptualizing and designing 7+ titles per season, including book covers and interiors for both original non-fiction and licensed content, targeting readers from preschool to young adult. This position requires taking ownership of each assigned title and becoming well-versed in licensor-provided style guides to ensure brand consistency. Current licenses include Disney Princesses, Stitch, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Care Bears, and Monster Jam. The candidate should have comprehensive experience designing and managing multiple projects per season.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design/Concept/presentation: Responsible for all stages of design and production for 20+ titles per year. Takes lead and initiates cover ideas and artist selections
Project management: Meet with editors, find and hire illustrators /packagers and freelance designers. Manage schedules and deadlines with an understanding of how to prioritize every stage of multiple projects, keeps freelancers on track, responds in a timely manner to requests
Problem solving: Keep editorial and production staffs up to date on any projects, including complications and offer solutions for successful project completion
Communication skills: Attend status and art management meetings, represent projects and team in a professional and skilled manner in art presentation and status meetings
Collaboration: ability to work compatibly with other teams to create product within budget and work in partnership with licensors and vendors
Industry Knowledge: Identify opportunities for business growth and revenue generation through creative services, stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitors' offerings, propose innovative strategies to expand the company's artistic services and portfolio.
About Scholastic
For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been meeting children where they are – at school, at home and in their communities – by creating quality content and experiences, all beginning with literacy. Scholastic delivers stories, characters, and learning moments that empower all kids to become lifelong readers and learners through bestselling children’s books, literacy- and knowledge-building resources for schools including classroom magazines, and award-winning, entertaining children's media. As the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online, and with a global reach into more than 135 countries, Scholastic encourages the personal and intellectual growth of all children, while nurturing a lifelong relationship with reading, themselves, and the world around them. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
Some benefits that we offer:
Full suite of health and wellness benefits (including a $0 deductible Medical Plan)
Retirement Savings Plan 401(k) with options for both Roth and Traditional Contributions
Tuition-Free programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees
Generous Parental Leave Program
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with opportunity for discounted stock at a 15% discount
Thank you for your consideration in choosing Scholastic.
HOW YOU CAN FIT (Qualifications)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
2–4 years of experience in the publishing industry
Hands-on experience designing non-fiction and novelty books
Highly creative
Attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Able to work under pressure
Highly motivated and organized
Excellent computer skills in relevant art/design software
Experience designing for print and building files for print production
Work within budgets
Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Experience in Non-fiction, creating novelties, and working with licensed brands preferred
Experience and Education:
Experience: 2-4 years of children publishing
Education: BA in Graphic Design or equivalent
Scholastic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam veteran. Those factors shall not influence the determination of qualifications for a job or other opportunity within the company. Further, all personnel actions (such as compensation, tuition aid, benefits, transfers, promotions, and dismissals, company-sponsored training, social and recreational programs) shall be administered without discrimination.