Designer - Children's Books - Sourcebooks : Job Details

Sourcebooks Kids publishes award-winning fiction and non-fiction with the hope of engaging children in the pure fun of books and the wonder of learning new things. We are looking for an imaginative and collaborative Children's Book Designer with 35 years of experience to join our team. If you love children's books, believe in the power of art and design to spark curiosity, and would thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity, data, learning, and collaboration are celebrated, we'd love to hear from you!

In this role, you will design and support the production work for children's book covers and internals across multiple formats including board books, picture books, middle grade, and graphic novels. You'll work closely with editors, authors, art directors, and illustrators, with opportunities to grow your skills, bring innovative ideas to the table, and help to shape stories that make a lasting impact on young readers. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who has a desire to grow their career in publishing and believes in our mission that Books. Change. Lives!

This an exempt salaried position with a range of $55,000 - $65,000. We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate's qualifications.

This position can be hybrid in Naperville or NYC, or fully remote in the following states ONLY: Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This role involves little to no travel, with the exception of attendance at company-wide meetings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design engaging covers and internals for a range of children's formats with a focus on strong visual storytelling, age-appropriate design, and market appeal.
• Communicate design decisions clearly, listen actively, be open to feedback, and be willing to stretch creatively and professionally. Approach projects with curiosity and a growth mindset.
• Partner with art directors, editors, authors, illustrators, production, and other key stakeholders to develop designs that align with the unique creative vision and business strategy for each book you touch.
• Balance multiple deadlines while maintaining quality, creative excellence, and attention to detail across all projects.
• Help partner with illustrators to achieve the best visual outcomes while always striving to create alignment across the creative and editorial vision of each book.
• Ensure that files are accurate, properly prepared for print and digital output, and aligned with production and pre-press requirements.
• Research trends in children's books and products, design, typography, and illustration to bring fresh ideas to the team.
• Maintain schedules, reporting, and databases for all assigned titles.
• Be able to pivot quickly, take initiative, learn from challenges, and celebrate progress in all of its forms.
• Always design with children and their caregivers in mindcreating books that are age appropriate, inclusive, and accessible.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in the Arts or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 35 years of professional experience in book design or a closely related field.
• A portfolio that demonstrates children's book work is preferred.
• A genuine love for children's books and an understanding of what engages readers at different developmental stages.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in a Mac-based environment utilizing the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat).
• A strong sense of typography, composition, color, contrast, and art-driven design.
• Solid understanding of file set-up and final production guidelines, pre-flight, and printing processes including 1/C to 4/C offset printing, spot colors, and specialty coatings and treatments.
• Able to license photography and stock art and color-correct and retouch images as required.
• Familiarity with eBook standards and accessibility guidelines.

Why You'll Love Working With Us:

• We are a creative and collaborative team with a culture rooted in curiosity, innovation, and respect.
• You'll work on meaningful books that inspire young readers.
• We offer professional growth opportunities through training, mentorship, and cross-team collaboration.
• A competitive salary, benefits, and a Books. Change. Lives. mission-driven workplace that values every voice.

Why Sourcebooks?

At Sourcebooks, books change lives is more than just our mission. It's the reason we do what we do every day. Just ask the 500 million+ readers we've reached so far. We put authors at the heart of everything we do, blending creativity with deep insights and data to break new ground. Our innovative approach has earned us recognition as Newsweek's #2 Most Loved Workplace, a Best Workplace by Inc., and an innovation leader by Fast Company twice. Publishers Weekly named us by far the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century, and in 2025 we received the Book Industry Study Group's highest honor for redefining what it means to be a book publisher in the 21st century.

Ready to Apply:

Please submit your portfolio, resume, salary requirements and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity we're looking for someone who's as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!

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, 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, and generous paid time off.

Sourcebooks 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.