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Freelance Children Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MissionWired

Resume Pool: Freelance

OR · On-site +1

S., Save the Children, and Friends of the Earth. Over the years, we have worked with various ... Art Designer (print/direct mail) * Content Strategy * Email production/web design (digital ...

MissionWired

Resume Pool: Freelance

S., Save the Children, and Friends of the Earth. Over the years, we have worked with various ... Art Designer (print/direct mail) * Content Strategy * Email production/web design (digital ...

Scholastic

Designer

New York, NY

... join the Children's Licensing, Brands & Media Trade Art Department, focusing on School Market ... Meet with editors, find and hire illustrators /packagers and freelance designers. Manage schedules ...

Scholastic Corporation

Designer

New York, NY · On-site

... join the Children's Licensing, Brands & Media Trade Art Department, focusing on School Market ... Meet with editors, find and hire illustrators /packagers and freelance designers. Manage schedules ...

Mommy Poppins

Atlanta - Freelance Writer

Suwanee, GA · Remote

$500 - $1.5K/mo

This isn't your typical 9-to-5. It's a flexible, creative outlet designed to fit between school ... children's theater, and the best places for animal encounters, etc. * This is a work-from-home ...

Mommy Poppins

Orlando - Freelance Writer

Orlando, FL · Remote

$500 - $1.5K/mo

This isn't your typical 9-to-5. It's a flexible, creative outlet designed to fit between school ... children's theater, and the best places for animal encounters, etc. * This is a work-from-home ...

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Art Director, Children's

$85K/yr

Hire, manage, and art direct freelance designers while keeping in mind all needs: budgetary, art ... Coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children is available. * Profit-Sharing and ...

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Art Director, Children's

$85K/yr

Hire, manage, and art direct freelance designers while keeping in mind all needs: budgetary, art ... Coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children is available. * Profit-Sharing and ...

Phoenix Fashion Inc

Be Seen First

Freelance Pattern Maker

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Collaborate with designers, sample makers, and production staff to troubleshoot fit and ... Support development of various product categories, including women's, men's, and children's apparel ...

Phoenix Fashion Inc

Be Seen First

Freelance Pattern Maker

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Collaborate with designers, sample makers, and production staff to troubleshoot fit and ... Support development of various product categories, including women's, men's, and children's apparel ...

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Freelance Children Designer information

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How much do freelance children designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance children designer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance children designer?

A Freelance Children Designer is a creative professional who specializes in designing products, clothing, books, illustrations, or environments specifically for children, and works independently rather than as a full-time employee. They may design anything from children's apparel and toys to educational materials and storybooks, collaborating with clients on a project-by-project basis. This role requires both artistic skill and an understanding of what appeals to and is safe for children, as well as strong communication and time management abilities. Freelance Children Designers often find work through online platforms, networking, or direct outreach to publishers, brands, and agencies.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance children designers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance children's designers often encounter challenges such as managing multiple client expectations, staying current with child safety standards, and balancing creative vision with practicality. To address these issues, it's important to establish clear communication with clients from the outset, keep up-to-date with relevant industry regulations, and regularly seek feedback from end-users, such as parents or educators. Building a strong professional network can also provide support and inspiration, helping freelance designers grow and adapt in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Freelance Children Designer vs Children Illustrator?

AspectFreelance Children DesignerChildren Illustrator
CredentialsDesign background, portfolio, possibly design certificationsArt or illustration degree, portfolio, artistic skills
Work EnvironmentFreelance, remote or client sitesFreelance or employed, studio or home-based
Industry UsageUsed in product design, educational materials, brandingUsed in books, magazines, animations

Both roles often overlap in skills and work settings, but a Freelance Children Designer focuses on creating visual concepts for products and branding, while a Children Illustrator specializes in drawing and illustrating children’s books and stories. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance children designer?

To thrive as a Freelance Children Designer, you need a solid background in graphic or illustration design, a strong portfolio tailored to children's content, and ideally a relevant degree or coursework in design or illustration. Proficiency with digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, or similar software is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and the ability to interpret and incorporate feedback are crucial soft skills for building client relationships and crafting engaging designs. These skills ensure the creation of age-appropriate, appealing visuals that meet client specifications and stand out in a competitive market.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Children Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Children Designer jobs are:

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Freelance Children Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Children Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Senior Designer, Children's

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Manhattan, NY • On-site, Remote

$70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description


W.W. Norton & Company has an opening for a Senior Designer in their award-winning Children's Art Department. Come join a growing and energized team where you can work on prizewinning books by industry leading authors and illustrators. The Senior Designer will work directly with the Art Director and Associate Creative Director and be responsible for design managing, and designing approximately 5-8 titles per season in our range of children's books. Looking for candidates who are talented, efficient, flexible and enthusiastic. Candidates must have an excellent portfolio which includes book covers and interiors as well as illustrated books (picture books and graphic novels) and have an understanding and passion for the book publishing process. Candidates must exhibit attention to detail, a critical eye for design, and have excellent communication and organization skills. We're looking to bring in a passionate team player who is aware of the children's book landscape, excited to help learn, grow, share knowledge, and enthusiastic about children's books for all ages. This position is a full-time remote position with a requirement to come into the New York office at least once per publishing season for a week of meetings and interdepartmental collaboration. This position reports directly to the Associate Creative Director of the Children's Department.
Essential Job Responsibilities Include:
  • With the guidance of manager, handle the full design process from acquisition to release to print for their own list of approximately 5-8 titles per list (15-24 per year) across the Norton Children's Division spanning picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, young adult fiction and non-fiction.
  • Pursue, nurture, develop, manage and hire freelance illustrators (and their agents) and design beautiful and thoughtful original book packages.
  • Meet weekly, seasonal and book production deadlines and manage across multiple stages of production while maintaining organized and accurate files and ensuring good practices with font and art clearances.
  • Liase with production department throughout all stages of production from concept and design through file set up and review, to mechanical release to printer and proofing stages.
  • Provide support and collaboration to design and art direction staff when needed or as designated by the Creative Director.
  • Maintain clear communication with editorial and production staff on a regular basis including complications and offer solutions for successful project completion.

Please note- this job description is not designed to cover all activities required of the employee.
Experience and Skills
Required Qualifications:
  • Employment eligibility to work with W.W. Norton & Company in the US is required.
  • Must have a strong portfolio that shows versatility of style and proficiency across multiple genres, topics, ages, and formats.
  • Exceptional typographic sensibility and understanding of age based design as well as respect for the reader, good grasp of visual storytelling and ability to take feedback.
  • Portfolio must exhibit original ideas and original design executions that feel unique and interesting while understanding the relevant markets.
  • At least 5-6 years of work experience required. Experience at a children's publisher or working with children's publishers in a freelance capacity for most of those years is preferred.
  • Must be comfortable, efficient, and an effective communicator while working in a remote environment.
  • Must have some knowledge of prepress, four color, 2 color, and specialty printing processes pertaining to all stages of children's book production from concepts to corrections, to proof review and release to print.
  • Employment eligibility to work with W.W. Norton & Company in the US is required.
  • Must be able towork full business hours on East Coast time.
  • Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits*
Currently available benefits include:
  • Competitive salary: $70,000: All salaries and salary ranges posted by Norton may vary depending on experience, skills, location, and like considerations.
  • Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and summer Friday afternoons beginning in July
  • Generous health benefits, including PPO, EPO, and High Deductible (with HSA) medical insurance options, vision insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care and commuter, gym membership reimbursement, and more. Coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children is available.
  • Profit-Sharing and 401(k) benefit plan with discretionary contribution matching by employer
  • Disability and life insurances
  • FMLA, parental and other leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (for mental health, financial planning, and other needs)
  • Company-provided laptop
  • Employee discounts on Norton books
  • Limited matching of employee donations to select non-profit organizations

*All policies and benefits described are subject to change at any time.

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