Designer, Dreamtivity

About the role

The Designer position at Dreamtivity, a division of ReaderLink Distribution Services, is a hybrid role based out of Franklin, Tennessee. This role requires a professional self-starter with a passion for children's publishing who can support the growing workload of the small team.

Responsibilities

• Create compelling cover and interior designs aligning with project goals and brand standards.
• Create physical and/or digital mockups to support concept development and presentations.
• Collaborate closely with editorial, production and design teams through all stages of development.
• Help with preparing artwork to be ready for press.
• Oversee illustrators and communicate effectively with agents to source and manage artwork.
• Identify design challenges and proactively implement improvements independently or through collaboration.
• Maintain ownership of multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and schedules are met.
• Follow established processes for book development, including schedule adherence, routing passes, and reviewing key project information with a high degree of organization.
• Be comfortable presenting titles, concepts, and updates clearly in meetings.
• Continue developing knowledge of book production and materials.
• Support additional projects and tasks as assigned.
• Monitor market trends, competitor products, and emerging brands.
• Prepare detailed design specifications and communicate clearly with production teams, illustrators, freelancers, and agents.
• Track schedules and maintain awareness of budgets across assigned projects.
• Research and source illustrators and visual references for both branded and non-branded titles.
• Prepare press-ready files, including preflighting and final production deliverables.
• Rout materials through appropriate review channels and incorporate feedback efficiently.
• Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve design or production issues as they arise.
• Support additional projects and tasks as assigned.
• Monitor market trends, competitor products, and emerging brands.
• Continue developing knowledge of book production and materials.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field is required.
• Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of experience in advertising, children’s book publishing or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with licensed publishing is preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat) is required.
• Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
• Strong understanding of book design and publishing processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a very fast-paced environment.
• Passion for children’s books and awareness of current market trends.
• Strong interpersonal skills; collaborative and personable.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• A methodical and organized approach to problem-solving.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Skills

• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat)
• Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Book design and publishing processes
• Multiple project management
• Communication and collaboration

Benefits

Employee benefits include health plans, flexible spending accounts, disability, life and accident insurance, vacation pay, and paid holidays. There is also a 401(k) with company match. ReaderLink is an equal opportunity employer.