Designer / Senior Designer

**DESIGNER / SENIOR DESIGNER**:
**JOB DESCRIPTION**:
As part of the design team, you will report to the publisher and work closely with the editorial team to oversee the design and production process of our comic books and graphic novels from concept to the final product. Together with our editors, you will collaborate closely with writers, illustrators, printers, and other team members to ensure that high-quality and visually captivating comics are produced efficiently and on schedule. You will also work with our marketing and business development teams to conceptualise and create suitable promotional assets for print and social media. You will be part of a small but dynamic publishing team, and will be an integral part of our work process. We believe in helping each other out, being inclusive, having work-life balance, and we value creativity and a willingness to learn.

**MAIN ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Collaborate with editors, writers, and artists, on all aspects of comic book making, including but not limited to cover design, layout, text edits, proofing, typographic solutions, and merchandise development, to ensure excellent and consistent production quality of all our comic books and graphic novels.
- Actively participate in team meetings with the editorial department to brainstorm ideas, review layouts, problem-solve, and strategise, as well as work with editors to review editing passes and send art notes to authors and illustrators.
- Perform artwork and image editing tasks to prepare comic book files for printing (print and digital formats). This includes but is not limited to ensuring proper file formats, resolutions, colour spaces, and other technical specifications. Optimise files for efficient printing and digital distribution platforms.
- Coordinate and oversee the print and digital production and merchandise development process, including prepress, proofing, printing, and quality control. Work closely with printers and vendors to ensure the highest standards of print quality, colour accuracy, and consistency. Monitor production timelines to meet scheduled release dates.
- Conduct thorough quality control checks to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand guidelines for comic book projects. Review final proofs, including colour proofs and mock-ups, to identify and address any issues before production.
- Collaborate with external vendors, such as printers, to ensure the smooth execution of projects. Source new vendors and negotiate contracts to maintain competitive pricing and quality standards.
- Foster a collaborative and creative work environment by coordinating and communicating effectively with writers, artists, editors, and other team members to ensure a cohesive vision and consistent execution of projects.
- Work closely with the marketing and business development teams to create select advertising and promotional materials, both print and digital assets, as needed.
- Together with the design team, establish and maintain an organised digital asset management system for design files, fonts, templates, and other resources. Ensure easy accessibility and version control for collaborative projects while maintaining regular backups of key design files for each project.
- Participate in submissions meetings by reading/reviewing manuscripts for potential acquisition.
- Lead or assist with workshops and talks that Difference Engine might conduct on occasion.

**ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS**:

- Proven experience in comic book design and print production, preferably within a publishing house or similar creative industry. Strong understanding of comic book art, layout, typography, and storytelling techniques. Applicants with 2-4 years of experience will be considered for the Designer position. Applicants with more than 5 years of experience will be considered for the Senior Designer position.
- Excellent project management abilities with a track record of successfully coordinating and delivering multiple projects on time and within budget, and with limited supervision. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in industry-standard design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), as well as prepress and print production software. Experience with digital file preparation and optimisation.
- Proficient in image editing, colour correction, and file optimisation. Knowledge of digital file formats, colour spaces, and resolution requirements for print and digital distribution platforms.
- Familiarity with print and digital (including but not limited to e-book and webcomics) production processes, including prepress, colour management, printing techniques, and file formats; including an understanding of print specifications and requirements for different comic book formats. Extra points for knowledge of sustainable production practices.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with a diverse range of sta