Book designers work either full-time or as a freelance regular for a publishing company. The book designer designs not only the jacket and cover of the book, but also the interior. The designer works with the book editor and the publisher’s art director to find out all the information needed to correctly design the book.  Designers then make a variety of sketches to show the editor and art director, and sometimes the author. With input from them, the sketches are changed and improved until everyone is happy with the look. Then, more specific drawings or designs are produced to exact specifications.

A designer must communicate clearly with, and supervise the ongoing work of any artists or designers or photographers that help in providing the elements that go into the book design.
Average Salary:

$50,000.
Average Hours (per week):

The average work week for the book designer is 40 hours, though as more designers become freelancers, their hours may vary, and they must make themselves available to the clients in the Publishing house.
Union:

Membership in the Graphic Artists Guild, though not mandatory, may help with networking possibilities.
Certifications:

As with all design jobs, a good design portfolio will get you the job.
Training Period:

A bachelor’s degree in art and design, with courses in publishing, is necessary, as is proficiency on all design software. Courses in psychology, marketing, and business are a good idea. A love of books is not necessary, but it helps. An internship in a publishing house, or a couple of years as an assistant, provides you with a strong knowledge of the demands of the business, a few connections in the industry, and a strong portfolio.
Strongest Market(s):

New York and Boston house most of the book publishers, and are still the centers of the book-publishing world. However, more and more book designing jobs are being outsourced rather than having a full-time staff position, so it may not be quite as necessary to live in one of these two cities.
Entry Level Salary:

$30,000.
Top Salary:

$65,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
The job growth forecast over the next ten years for book designers is 7 percent.  Though the Web is replacing many publishing enterprises, there is still a demand for books, specialty and otherwise, that online resources have enhanced rather than diminished.

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