Design Assistant, Neon Squid

Pan Macmillan; London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Design Assistant to join a creative team focused on producing captivating non-fiction books for children. This entry-level role offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced designers while contributing to various aspects of the publishing process, from initial concept to final print. Ideal candidates will have a strong eye for design, familiarity with Adobe Suite, and a passion for storytelling. Join a vibrant team that values creativity, collaboration, and a sense of humor, while enjoying generous benefits and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Discounted private medical insurance

Flexible working hours

Volunteer Days

75% off Pan Macmillan books

Cycle to work scheme

Daily free breakfast

Monthly company lunch

Qualifications

• Eager to learn and get into publishing with a hands-on approach.
• Creative applications demonstrating design skills are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing books and adapting layouts.
• Collaborate closely with editors and marketing teams.

Skills

Adobe Suite

InDesign

Photoshop

Organizational Skills

Design Abilities

Job description

Join to apply for the Design Assistant, Neon Squid role at Pan Macmillan

Join to apply for the Design Assistant, Neon Squid role at Pan Macmillan

We have an exciting opportunity for a Design Assistant to join our small team in London, working on beautiful non-fiction books for kids aged 5–15.

The team:

Since forming in 2020, Neon Squid has a track record of creating imaginative and critically acclaimed books for kids around the world, including Tales of Ancient Worlds by archaeology YouTuber Stefan Milosavjlevich, the taboo-busting We Need to Talk About Vaginas by Dr Allison Rodgers and the hit series Secrets of the Forest by Alicia Klepeis.

The role:

As a Design Assistant on our team, you will help out with all parts of the book process, from coming up with initial ideas to getting files ready for the printer. You will work closely with the editors to adapt an author’s ideas into layouts, and will be involved with commissioning illustrators. As we are a small team you will also get to help out in other areas, such as the marketing of our titles or providing content for the sales teams.

No prior experience is necessary. We are looking for someone who is eager to get into publishing and is keen to learn! It will be a hands-on job from the outset, where you will learn lots of valuable skills from the more experienced designers on the team. You will also pick up more than enough facts to make you a demon at a pub quiz.

We are looking for creative applications – anything that can demonstrate what you will bring to the team!

Reporting to the Publishing Director, the Design Assistant will be the third designer on the team. As we are such a close-knit bunch, they will be expected to take on a variety of different roles.

We are looking for someone with good design abilities, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and a calm temperament. They must be both visually and commercially minded, and must be able to tap into a child’s sense of humour!

Key tasks of the role include:

• Helping to design our books
• Working closely with editors
• Assisting the other designers in the team
• Communicating with our sales and marketing teams
  
  

The ideal candidate will have the following essential skills and:

• Knowledge of the Adobe Suite (including InDesign and Photoshop)
• A strong eye for design
• Good organisational skills
  
  

We’d love it if you had:

• An unflappable demeanour!
• A sense of humour
• An interest in history, science and nature
  
  

Salary: £27,500

Closing date: 18 May 2025

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Group income protection scheme
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 2 Volunteer Days per year
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch
  
  

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

We are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process, if you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please do let us know. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here:https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here: https://panmacmillan.com/recruitment-privacy-notice. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice before submitting your application

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Book and Periodical Publishing

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