Book Designer - Hybrid/Remote

About the position

The Book Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is responsible for the interior and exterior design of books and journals published by the University Press. This role involves typesetting, layout design, and creating marketing materials, requiring a strong knowledge of typography and design standards. The designer will work closely with authors and the design team to ensure high-quality outputs that meet marketing needs and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design approximately 25-35 complete book covers/jackets per year.
• Provide multiple design sketches for each front cover and present designs for selection and approval.
• Search for appropriate cover images and ensure permissions are cleared for use.
• Design approximately 2-3 book interiors per year, providing InDesign templates and layouts.
• Typeset and lay out 1-2 design-intensive books per year, providing suitable electronic files.
• Check page proofs for accuracy and resolve design queries.
• Review and assess art programs, providing guidance on art preparation as needed.
• Design marketing materials, including social media graphics and print materials for conferences.
• Collaborate with the Senior Design Coordinator to establish design strategy and oversee freelance designers.
• Keep abreast of design trends and developments in technology and software applications.

Requirements

• 36 months of advanced college or art-school coursework in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design, or equivalent work experience.
• 24 months of graphic design experience comparable to the Graphic Designer Associate level.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field.
• Two years of full-time equivalent experience in book design.
• Portfolio of interior and cover designs.
• Experience in higher education or a broad academic background.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $50,000-$55,000 based on qualifications and experience.