Licensing Designer

CuriousUniverse; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

CuriousUniverse in Bath is seeking an experienced Licensing Designer to join our in-house creative team, working across licensed character book, craft, toys and stationery projects for global children’s brands.

You will manage all design stages from concept through to publication, provide sales materials and final files to Production, and collaborate with the Art Director to develop technical and creative design skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ commercial experience in design within children’s publishing.
• Licensing experience desirable.
• Strong portfolio showcasing your best work.
• Conscientious, collaborative, self-motivated and proactive with a passion for design.

Responsibilities

• Manage creative design work on projects from briefing to print.
• Create design that is on-brand, commercially sound and user-focused.
• Design covers and packaging that sell the product benefits.
• Identify freelancers and manage talent pool for best results.
• Monitor project schedules and meet key dates.
• Suggest ideas to improve team workflows and processes.
• Ensure all projects meet high standards and are error-free.
• Create and maintain all files per guidelines.
• Commission content and brief freelancers with guidance from Art Director.
• Provide sales materials in line with critical date paths.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Branding

Portfolio

Team collaboration

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

We are an equal opportunities employer with a flexible approach. Hiring the right team is of paramount importance to us so we work with all employees to ensure they can ‘Work Where they Work Best’. Our hybrid working solution allows us to cater to the different needs of our workforce whilst still providing outstanding service to our customers. Both yours and the business’s needs will be discussed at interview to reach a mutually beneficial working schedule.
We are always keen to hear from people wishing to work with us so please review our current job vacancies below.

Licensing Designer

As our Licensed Designer you will work as part of our in-house creative team across licensed character book, craft, Toys, and stationery projects creating stunning products for global brands in the children’s character market. Managing all aspects of the design from concept through to publication, supplying sales material and final files to Production. Working closely with the Art Director to develop technical and creative design skills.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage creative design work on projects including briefing, approvals, schedules and quality control from concept to print
• Create strong, dynamic, commercially sound design that is appropriate to the brand, format, target market and end user
• Design compelling covers and packaging that sell the benefits of the product
• Identify potential new designers, illustrators, agencies, packagers and other freelance contributors and review talent pool to ensure best people are being used
• Monitor own project schedules ensuring they meet key dates
• Put forward ideas and suggestions for the smooth running of the team, and ask for help and input when needed
• Ensure all projects are produced to a high standard and error-free
• Create and maintain all files in line with in-house set-up guidelines
• Commission content and brief freelancers with guidance from Art Director
• Provide quality sales materials in accordance with the Critical Date Path
• Suggest commercial ideas for new books/projects providing a strong commercial
  and creative rationale
• Contribute ideas for new and/or improved processes and team development
  Keep the Art Director and Creative Operations Director up to date with schedule concerns
• Liaise with Production regarding technical or safety requirements, up-front testing and other safety issues.
• Establish and maintain an awareness of children’s book market, media, marketing and product, such as toys and games. Also engage with relevant sales and marketing reports
• Identify key trends in global Children’s market and share these with the team and encourage sharing of trends/ideas.
• Build and maintain relationships with Licensors and attend networking and industry events
• Utilise emerging AI tools to enhance workflows
• Download and organise Licensor assets and keep updated when new style guides become available
  

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ commercial experience in a design role within the children’s publishing and product design. Licensing experience is desirable.
  
• Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite for print and PDF workflow
  
• A strong portfolio showcasing your best work
  
• Conscientious, collaborative, self-motivated and pro-active, with a passion for design and character licensing
  
• Exceptional organisation skills and fully able to work within project timelines, ensuring all key deadlines are met
  
• 3D skills an advantage but not essential
  
• Experience of working on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment a must
  
• Confidence and a good communicator
  
• Initiative, honesty and integrity
  
• A Team Player