Children's Book Designer (Chicago)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Children’s Book Designer to help create engaging, innovative, and market-driven products for kids across multiple retail channels.
This role is ideal for a designer with strong experience in children’s publishing and novelty formats who thrives at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, product development, and consumer insight. The successful candidate will bring both artistic excellence and practical understanding of manufacturing, retail performance, and market trends.
You will collaborate closely with editorial, production, sales, and manufacturing teams to develop high-quality products that resonate with children, parents, educators, and retailers.

What You’ll Do
Conceptualize, design, and execute children’s books and novelty products from initial idea through final production
Develop compelling covers, interiors, packaging, and interactive product features
Create design solutions that balance creativity, functionality, manufacturability, and cost efficiency
Partner cross-functionally with editorial, production, sales, and external vendors to bring products to market
Contribute to visual brand consistency across series and product lines
Iterate quickly based on feedback, trend analysis, consumer insights, and sales performance
Stay informed on trends in children’s publishing, novelty formats, toy design, and retail merchandising
Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment

Products & Channels
This role supports product development across a variety of retail and distribution channels, including:
Clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s)
Mass market retail
Value publishing
Amazon and e-commerce channels
School book fairs and educational distribution

QualificationsRequired
5+ years of professional design experience in children’s publishing
Strong portfolio demonstrating children’s books, novelty formats, and product design
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Strong understanding of print production, die-lines, and manufacturing processes
Experience collaborating cross-functionally in a fast-paced publishing or consumer products environment
Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills
Ability to balance creative vision with commercial objectives
Preferred
Experience working with overseas printers and manufacturing partners
Experience developing products for Amazon or e-commerce-first channels
Experience building visual systems across series or product lines
Understanding of consumer trends within children’s publishing and retail

What Success Looks Like
In this role, success includes:
Delivering innovative and commercially successful products
Maintaining strong visual quality and brand consistency
Supporting efficient production and manufacturing processes
Contributing creative ideas that drive growth across channels
Building strong collaborative relationships across teams

Work Environment
Hybrid work model with required onsite collaboration three days per week
Collaborative, team-oriented culture
Dynamic environment with multiple concurrent projects and evolving priorities

Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to help shape engaging products that inspire curiosity, imagination, and learning for children across North America. You’ll join a creative and collaborative team focused on building meaningful, commercially successful products for today’s evolving marketplace.

Compensation:

$60,000–$70,000 annually , based on experience, skills, and overall fit for the role.