Design & Production Lead

About Vibrant Publishers

Vibrant Publishers is a Colorado-based publishing company with its India office in Mumbai. We create concise, high-impact books for students and professionals in business, management, test preparation, and IT. Our books are sold globally through Amazon, Flipkart, and D2C platforms. As a fast-paced, growth-driven team, we focus on delivering accessible, practical knowledge for today’s learners.

Job Description:

Vibrant Publishers is seeking a highly organized and creatively skilled Design and Production Lead with 3–5 years of experience to manage and contribute to the entire production lifecycle of our book projects. This individual will be involved in both the design and production aspects, collaborating with the in-house design team, external designers, typesetting vendors, and printing partners. From initial concept design through to the final printed product, this role ensures that books are produced on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, while also contributing to creative design solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Involvement:

● Conceptualizing and Designing Layouts: Collaborate with the design team to suggest

and create layouts for books, ensuring the designs are aligned with the brand's visual

identity while considering production limitations.

● Creative Input: Provide creative input in the design process, offering suggestions for

visual elements like typography, color schemes, images, and page layouts that enhance

readability and appeal.

● Design Execution: Work on creating or refining specific design elements within a book,

including covers, chapter layouts, and graphics, ensuring that they are not only visually

appealing but also technically feasible for print.

● Collaborating with Editorial Team: Ensure that designs align with editorial content,

making necessary adjustments for page layout, image placement, and text formatting.

● Design Proofing and Refining: Review and provide feedback on design proofs,

ensuring consistency and accuracy across all pages and that the design adheres to

production guidelines.

Production Management:

● End-to-End Project Coordination: Manage the production process from initial design to

final print, ensuring all deadlines are met, and the production runs smoothly.

● Vendor Management: Coordinate with external design vendors, typesetting, and

printing companies to ensure quality, cost-efficiency, and timely delivery.

● Quality Control: Review designs, proofs, and printed materials to ensure they meet

quality standards and the company’s expectations before moving to production.

● Material and Paper Selection: Work with the team to select appropriate materials

(paper, cover stock) and ensure that the design elements are compatible with production

requirements.

● Print Specifications and Adjustments: Ensure that designs meet specific print

requirements, such as size, resolution, color formats, and paper choices, while working

to resolve any potential production challenges.

● Overseeing Print Runs: Supervise the final printing process, ensuring that the books

are produced according to the approved design and quality standards.

● Budget and Cost Management: Monitor production costs and work within budgetary

constraints while still maintaining design integrity.

Process Optimization and Efficiency:

● Identifying Improvements: Look for ways to optimize the production process, reduce

costs, and enhance efficiency without compromising quality.

● Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with teams across departments—such as

editorial, marketing, and sales—to ensure designs align with the overall project and

business goals.

Additional Responsibilities:

● Stay updated with industry trends and tools to suggest new and innovative design and

production processes.

● Ensure proper storage of all design files and assets for future reference or reprints.

● Assist in preparing and delivering final print-ready files to the printer, ensuring all files

meet technical specifications.

Requirements:

● 3–5 years of experience in book design, production, or a related field.

● Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and other design software.

● Strong understanding of typesetting, layout design, and printing processes.

● Familiarity with production workflows and experience working with print vendors.

● Strong creative design skills with an eye for detail, and a good understanding of

typography, layout, and visual storytelling.

● Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks while

adhering to deadlines.

● Experience in vendor management and cost control.

● A collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and

external vendors.

● Strong communication skills for providing feedback, discussing design concepts, and

managing cross-departmental collaboration.

Education Requirements:

● Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Publishing, Printing

Technology, or related fields.

● Additional certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP) or Design Software

(e.g., Adobe Certified Expert) are a plus.

● Training in printing processes or book production is highly desirable.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₹45,739.74 - ₹60,290.99 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have in book design and/or production management?
• Have you worked in publishing or print media before? If yes, please share your role and responsibilities.
• Which design software are you most proficient in (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)?
• Can you share examples from your portfolio that showcase book covers and interior layouts you’ve worked on? (File upload/links)
• Have you worked on creating print-ready files? What common errors do you check for before submission?
• Have you managed coordination with printers, typesetters, or external design vendors? Please describe.
• How do you manage multiple projects with tight deadlines?
• Have you implemented any process improvements or cost-saving measures in production? Please give an example.
• How do you typically collaborate with editorial and marketing teams to ensure design aligns with business goals?
• What’s one recent design or production trend in publishing that excites you?
• Current CTC
• Expected CTC
• Notice Period (if any)

Work Location: In person