Typesetter & Graphic Designer

Illustrator / Graphic Designer Storyshares is seeking a part-time Graphic Designer & Typesetter to dedicate 10-25 hours per week (project-dependent) to apply their eye for typographic balance to pages made especially for struggling readers. The Graphic Designer’s knowledge of prepress processes will package our writers’ and editors’ work efficiently, with a sensitivity to form that works with the requirements of the content. The ideal candidate will showcase attention to detail, creativity, adaptability, initiative, adherence to deadlines, and passion for the cause. The Graphic Designer will report to the Chief Product Officer, and collaborate across Storyshares’s tight-knit team to see titles to completion. Candidates should come ready to read the stories they’ll be working with, which amplify underrepresented voices and range from realism to fantasy to historical fiction and more. The Graphic Designer is the last link in making texts accessible, will always favor legibility but avoid infantilization, and shape each book’s identity within Storyshares’s style. Graphic Designer & Typesetter Job Responsibilities Cover Formatting • Transfer existing cover art to provided and self-made paperback cover templates. Basic digital drawing required to extend images to the bleed. • Prepare and export print-ready files to the publisher’s specifications • Generate and manage correct ISBN barcodes to appear on covers • Advise on the design and legibility of cover art and design covers when necessary • Design cohesive spines and backs with given cover art • Design books in a series to match and appear contiguous • Place logos in adherence with collaboration agreements with partner institutions, while still designing an elegant cover • Handle additional miscellaneous layout tasks for test prints Interior Formatting • Work within Storyshares’s ethos to pass the “backpack test:” books that look age-appropriate for older striving readers, while reinforcing foundational literacy skills • Typeset books per the publisher’s requirements • Follow Storyshares’s style and brand guidelines • Respond promptly to revisions from editors and integrate fixes with a holistic attention to detail • Advise on the integration of photographs and illustrations in decodable books • Format educational materials, such as phonics pages, educator companions, and lesson plans • Manage content between Canva and InDesign, transferring editors’ structures into working InDesign files Web • Work with Storyshares’s developers on UI/UX to recommend website navigation appearance and flow • Design illustrations and graphics for featured pages, optimally showcasing Storyshares’s books and audiences • Design icons to navigate between Storyshares’s programs/services/series and give visitors an overview at a glance Work Hours & Benefits • This is a remote position, which initially requires up to 25 hours / week of work, with freedom to complete tasks according to your own schedule, as aligned with our deadlines • Starting date: ASAP • Compensation: starting rate of $30 / hour Required Skills and Experience • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Graphic Design, Communications, or digital arts a plus • Proficiency in InDesign required • Proficiency in Canva required • Understanding of PDF formats and color codes • Extremely high attention to detail across large batches of related projects is essential • Strong and wide-ranging typographic knowledge, with flexibility in implementation • Solid understanding of target audience (struggling readers in underserved communities) and willingness to learn more about their unique needs • Occasional typesetting in languages other than English will be required. Knowledge of multilingual fonts and balanced multilingual typeface pairings is a plus. • 2-3 years of experience preparing books for paperback printing (preferred) To Apply Please submit: • Resume • Cover letter describing your relevant experience and approach to illustrating for Storyshares • Portfolio (required) Applications missing any of these materials will not be considered. For questions, please contact porche@storyshares.org and shira@storyshares.org. About Storyshares Beyond grade 3, literacy is a matter of equity. Storyshares empowers older striving readers through a cohesive approach: relevant content, expert educator training, and coherent school systems. We don't just teach reading; we restore engagement and expand life outcomes for students in grades 3–12. Job Types: Part-time, Contract Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour Benefits: • Flexible schedule People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Education: • Bachelor's (Required) Experience: • Typesetting: 2 years (Required) Work Location: Remote Apply tot his job Apply To this Job