Job Description

The Publications Designer is responsible for creating layouts for print, web, and digital products. This position is also responsible for designing rough layouts of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type size and style, and related aesthetics. They will work with a team of other designers to ensure that all products are consistent and on brand. This position is on-site, full-time in Turners Falls, MA.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

• All aspects of desktop publishing.
• Design and typeset books, implement good book design parameters, layout pages, import and crop photos, typeset tables and graphs, and create aesthetically pleasing book pages.
• Cleanup, crop, and manipulate graphic images as needed for optimum printing quality. On occasion, create or modify line art, graphs, and figures.
• Create or assist with designing visually captivating covers (including hardcover jackets, hard- and paperback covers) and interiors for full-package highly illustrated books.
• Thorough understanding of the book design process and technical knowledge of book production.
• Strong knowledge of typefaces and typography, full-color printing, RGB / CMYK color spaces, and image formats.
• Create mood boards for illustrators, design, typography, and color.
• Prepare interior and exterior mechanicals from creation to final product, including designing layouts and choosing typography, setting up style sheets, templates, and parent pages, etc. with great attention to detail.
• Maintain a current sense of design trends and seek out up-and-coming artists (designers and illustrators) of interest.
• Actively engaged in Prepress, Press and PostPress process.
• Manage color printing process and preflight with oversight from manager.
• Work closely with the Director and design team in the preparation and routing of mechanicals and readying them for printing purposes. 
• Coordinate with the editorial, managing editorial, and production departments to facilitate this process.
• Experience in corporate gift design and/or graphic novels is a valuable asset.
• Work closely with a team to produce catalogs, brochures, materials as needed with project managers, marketers, and other team members. 
• Produce office materials such as internal forms, business cards, letterhead, and signage as needed by departments. 
• Manage and build library of photo, art, and font files.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Three or more years of experience in professional graphic design, preferably at least one with book layout and composition
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in graphic design, art, or related discipline
• Fluency/full competency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat) on Mac platform
• Experience preparing files for digital and print output
• Retouching and color correcting skills
• Incredibly high standards of design and finished product
• A love of typography and color theory
• Exceptional attention to detail and organization
• Excellent communication and presenting skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities while adhering to deadlines
• Desire to continue building skill set with education and training
• Portfolio of work
• Able to receive and apply feedback 
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• High accountability for performance; goal-oriented, flexible, and creative under pressure
• Disposition is consistently professional, cooperative, and collegial as evidenced by workplace maturity, composure, perspective, transparency, reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness 
• Caring for and, committed to the vision, mission, and welfare of CRS
• Respects and values diversity; represents CRS positively and professionally in interactions with clients, vendors, and the community at large in both real and virtual interactions
• Able to work in an open suite, highly collaborative environment
• Regular and reliable attendance 
• Ability to pass periodic background (including fingerprint) checks

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to use a computer for up to 8 hours per day with breaks and lunch
• Able to talk on the phone for up to 8 hours per day 
• Lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion
• Able to travel by airplane and automobile, occasionally
• Must be able to show proof of Covid-19 primary vaccinations or submit a medical or religious exemption

These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to perform this job. Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder's supervisor, may also be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

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