Artworker/studio assistant - 1 year contract

Salary: £25,500

Location: Edinburgh

Prepare book cover artwork for print and help maintain the systems and workflows behind an award-winning publishing art department.

Canongate Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers and the first UK trade publisher to be B Corp certified. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working Artworker to join our busy award-winning Art department. The role is a full-time one-year contract and is based in our Edinburgh office.

You do not need to have worked in publishing before, but a keen eye for detail along with exceptional organisational skills are a must. A love of books, culture and storytelling would also be an advantage. This is a very busy role where the ability to juggle priorities and multiple deadlines whilst working accurately and creatively is an essential skill. Please note this role does not include responsibility for cover design.

The Artworker’s key role is to accurately prepare covers ready for Press and help with the upkeep of the department’s systems to ensure everything runs smoothly and withholds to our culture of excellence.

Core Duties include:

• Prepare artwork for approved covers and reformat pre-existing designs for circulation and press, ensuring a high level of finish and meeting the required standards for print
• Compositing images within Photoshop/Illustrator and laying out images and text in InDesign
• Set up any special finishes e.g. foil, embossing, spot varnish
• Ensure artwork is consistent, accurate and follows any style or series guidelines
• Update and maintain templates and workflow documents including the design archive and font system
• Management and upkeep of the relevant Biblio data for all titles
• Ensure contracts are maintained and license images when needed
• Provide files to relevant departments as requested
• Management and upkeep of the department fonts system
• Attend weekly meetings

What knowledge, skills, experience we are looking for:

• A methodical approach to work and meticulous attention to detail
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to respond flexibly whilst working on multiple projects and shifting priorities within a busy department
• Strong communication skills to engage with colleagues at every level as well as out-of-house freelancers
• Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat are essential) plus Microsoft Word and general confidence working on a Mac
• Strong layout and typographical skills and knowledge of fonts
• Portfolio demonstrating high standard art working experience
• Some understanding of the print processes
• Proactive mindset with a willingness to learn and develop
• Creative flair with a versatile design sensibility
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to know when to ask for help when needed and follow direction from other colleagues, such as designers, editors and the Production team

We offer a wide range of benefits: Employee benefits (canongate.co.uk)

To apply, please send your CV, covering letter and a mini portfolio showing three samples of your best work.

PLEASE NOTE:

Canongate is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to everyone. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for the position. We will keep your information securely until 30 August 2026. Unless you are the successful applicant, all your information will be deleted from our systems at that point.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.