Book Designer and Picture Research Jobs in Publishing

A good book designer can make the difference between a great book and a book that will never fulfil its potential. Book Designers, and this can also apply to designers involved in journal and magazine design, provide expert knowledge and guidance on issues such as typeface, page set up, illustration, if applicable, and most importantly, the cover. Book Designers have to be adept with a number of graphic design packages. Book Designers need to keep abreast of all developments in graphic design software in order to provide the most state-of-the-art, attention grabbing designs, balanced with usability and accessibility. Book Designers must also be team people. They have to work with a number of different departments - editorial, production and marketing - and interpret and balance all their needs. Book Designers may also be responsible for picture research - choosing and commissioning illustrators and photographers, or searching image banks for appropriate imagery. Larger companies publishing mainly large full-colour illustrated, coffee table books or reference books, may need to employ a whole team of Picture Researchers to source and supply the many different and varied images the book designer requires. The task of picture research also includes negotiation of fees and also requires contracts to determine the way the images are used.

In order to pursue a career as a book designer, or magazine or journal designer, you will need to have qualifications in Art and Design - preferably a specific degree in book design itself. There are courses in book design, graphics, typography and printing techniques provided by many Colleges of Art and Design.