Mid-weight Designer

Dorling Kindersley Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing company is seeking a Designer to create visually compelling books. This role involves managing projects from concept to delivery, collaborating with editorial teams, and commissioning creative work. Candidates should have strong skills in software like InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, alongside excellent organizational abilities. The position offers benefits including 25 days of paid holiday, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days paid holiday

Generous pension scheme

Volunteering policy

Charity matching

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Flex Fridays

Qualifications

• Experience designing integrated reference books or similar projects.
• Proficiency with design software, especially InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of design projects from concept to finished files.
• Create moodboards and develop visual styles.
• Commission and oversee freelance designers and illustrators.
• Collaborate with editorial and internal teams.
• Manage multiple projects and resolve issues proactively.
• Maintain high creative and production standards.

Skills

InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Project management tools (e.g., Asana)

Organizational skills

Creative flair

Communication

Job description

Overview

As a Designer, you will combine creative flair with technical expertise to shape visually compelling, high-impact books. You will take projects from concept to delivery, collaborating closely with Editors, commissioning illustration and photography, and pushing design boundaries throughout the process.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of titles from concept through to final files, ensuring every page is visually striking and aligned to the brief.
• Create moodboards, develop visual styles, and experiment with new design techniques.
• Commission, brief, and oversee freelance designers, illustrators, and photographers.
• Collaborate effectively with editorial and internal teams.
• Manage multiple projects, schedules, and budgets, proactively resolving issues.
• Maintain consistently high creative and production standards, staying up to date with emerging design trends and technology.
• Proven experience designing integrated reference books.
• A strong vision for reference design.
• Strong skills in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; experience with Asana is a plus.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Clear, confident communication and a collaborative approach.
• A portfolio that demonstrates breadth, creativity, and attention to detail.
• Creative, adaptable, and commercially aware, able to work independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Experience designing integrated reference books or similar multi-discipline projects.
• Proficiency with InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana) is a plus.
• Strong typographic, layout, and production skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

About the role and benefits

• DK Knowledge is recruiting for two roles: Designer and Mid-weight Designer, to join our dynamic team. We create world-class books packed with rich reference content, designed to inform, inspire, and stand out.
• From history and culture to science and nature, our titles include Art Annotated, The Moon, and the British Book Design award-shortlisted The Periodic Table.
• The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org
• Subject to certain criteria being met.
• 25 days paid holiday in year one, plus bank holidays.
• Generous pension scheme, volunteering policy, and charity matching.
• Employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, and discounted gym membership.
• Flex Fridays (1 pm finish), plus up to 30 days remote working from abroad.
• DK plants a tree for every new employee.