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Internship Book Cover Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Designer - Celadon

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Macmillan is looking for a designer to conceive unique, creative, and engaging book jackets for the ... Exceptional portfolio displaying book cover specific work and strong typographic skills

Designer - Celadon

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Macmillan is looking for a designer to conceive unique, creative, and engaging book jackets for the ... Exceptional portfolio displaying book cover specific work and strong typographic skills

Book and fund your travel and relocating to the location of your internship prior to the start date ... As an elite coaching company, Exos applies itsevidence-based methodology to programming designed to ...

Performance Nutrition Internship - Fall 2026

Plano, TX · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/hr

Book and fund your travel and relocating to the location of your internship prior to the start date ... As an elite coaching company, Exos applies its evidence-based methodology to programming designed ...

Performance Nutrition Internship - Fall 2026

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$15 - $19.25/hr

Book and fund your travel and relocating to the location of your internship prior to the start date ... As an elite coaching company, Exos applies its evidence-based methodology to programming designed ...

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Internship Book Cover Designer information

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How much do internship book cover designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship book cover designer in the United States is $16.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship book cover designer do?

An Internship Book Cover Designer assists in creating visually appealing and marketable book covers under the supervision of experienced designers or art directors. Their responsibilities often include brainstorming design concepts, using graphic design software, collaborating with authors or publishers, and making revisions based on feedback. This role provides hands-on experience in the publishing industry and helps interns build a strong design portfolio. Interns may also learn about the printing process, copyright requirements, and branding considerations. The internship is ideal for students or recent graduates interested in graphic design and publishing.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an internship book cover designer?

As an internship book cover designer, you'll typically assist with brainstorming concepts, creating initial drafts, and refining cover designs based on feedback from senior designers and authors. You'll gain experience working with design software, following brand guidelines, and participating in design meetings. You'll also collaborate closely with editors, marketing teams, and sometimes authors to ensure your designs align with the book's themes and target audience. This role offers valuable exposure to the publishing workflow and allows you to build a strong portfolio under professional guidance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship book cover designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Book Cover Designer, you need a solid grasp of graphic design principles, creativity, and familiarity with design software, often backed by coursework or a portfolio. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is typically required for creating and editing visual elements. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to take constructive feedback help you collaborate with authors and publishers effectively. These skills ensure that book covers are visually appealing, marketable, and aligned with the client’s vision, which is crucial for a book’s success.

What is the difference between Internship Book Cover Designer vs Book Cover Designer?

AspectInternship Book Cover DesignerBook Cover Designer
CredentialsTypically students or entry-level with basic design skillsProfessional certifications or extensive portfolio
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, educational settings, or entry-level positionsDesign agencies, publishing houses, freelance work
Industry UsageOften part of training or portfolio buildingFull-time or freelance professional roles

The main difference is that an Internship Book Cover Designer is usually a student or beginner gaining experience, while a Book Cover Designer is a professional with established skills and a portfolio. Interns often work under supervision and are in learning environments, whereas professional designers handle client projects independently.

How to get hired as an internship book cover designer?

To get hired as an internship book cover designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and familiarity with tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Apply to internships through online job boards, university career centers, or directly contact publishing companies, and demonstrate your understanding of visual storytelling and genre-specific design trends.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Book Cover Designer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Internship Book Cover Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 25% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,957 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Associate Art Director, Union Square & Co.

Hachette Book Group

New York, NY

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Hachette Book Group rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 19 rated publishing


Job description

Union Square & Co. is looking for a talented, creative, and driven Associate Art Director to help shape the visual identity of our distinctive publishing program.

In this highly visible role, you'll bring books to life from concept to completion, leading the creative development of compelling cover designs that capture readers' attention and elevate our authors' voices. Working across a diverse range of genres, you'll oversee projects through every stage of the design process, from initial creative vision and execution to approvals and final production files.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced book designer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about creating beautiful, market-driven designs. You'll have the chance to work on the books and products that have made Union Square & Co. a standout in publishing, including our beloved gilded classics, bestselling tarot decks, and an eclectic mix of nonfiction and fiction titles.

As a key member of the creative team, you'll also mentor and manage three talented designers, helping to cultivate exceptional work while fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The Associate Art Director reports directly to the Art Director, Adult Books, and plays an integral role in shaping the creative direction of the list.

If you're a creative leader with a strong portfolio of book cover design, a keen eye for emerging trends, and a passion for crafting books readers can't resist picking up, we'd love to hear from you.

Mission Statement

Union Square & Co. publishes books and gift products with a point of view. What distinguishes us is our independent, entrepreneurial spirit. We collaborate with bestselling, award-winning, and debut authors and creatives to publish at the highest quality across categories. We strive to bring you entertainment, discovery, and fun through objects you can cherish. To learn more about our mission, check out our website.

Duties include:

  • Conceptualizes and generates creative and innovative cover designs for UNSQ's Adult list, including Classics, and select Gift titles
  • Works closely with the Art Director to maintain the highest quality of design and production standards while keeping on track with deadlines
  • Manages and advises small group of Senior and Junior level designers
  • Collaborates closely with editorial team to develop thoughtful, market-appropriate designs
  • Oversees all stages of preparation including prepress, color correction, setting print-ready files up for special effects, and proof review.
  • Maintains ongoing communications and schedules with the Editorial and Production departments to ensure timely execution and follow through from manuscript to bound book for all projects
  • Researches and oversees freelance illustrators and designers when required
  • Ensures that designs fulfill UNSQ's high standards, represent the brand in the market, and push the envelope in both concept and execution
  • Attends weekly status and design meetings
  • Stays abreast of changes in publishing industry, design trends, and new techniques that will improve the efficiency and creativity

Minimum requirements:

  • Minimum 5-7 years design experience in book publishing
  • Extensive experience designing book covers specifically, nonfiction, fiction, and other gift related products such as tarot cards or stationary
  • Detailed knowledge of pre-press requirements for print: manufacturing process, proofing, and color correction
  • Experience hiring and overseeing illustrators, negotiating rates, and rights usage
  • Experience managing designers and senior designers
  • Proficient in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat
  • 4-year college degree preferably in Graphic Design, or equivalent work experience
  • Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment
  • Strong time management skills to manage deadlines and delegate work
  • Experience working with freelancers

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio to be considered for this position.

This role is based in our New York office. Employees are expected to work on-site three days per week in accordance with our hybrid work model. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to the office.

The compensation for this position is $75,000-$85,000. Salary can vary based on a number of factors including skills, experience, and location - talk with your recruiter to learn more. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects.

As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.

Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

Employment Type: Full-Time

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