Inaugural ABDA ‘Baseline’ Book Design Internship opens for applications

The Australian Book Designers Association (ABDA) has opened applications for its ‘Baseline’ Book Design Internship, after its initial announcement at the Australian Book Design Awards.

The ‘Baseline’ program is a paid internship that provides an emerging book designer with four weeks of in-house experience in a publishing house or design studio. HarperCollins will host the inaugural internship, which will be held in 2024, with a salary of $1250 per week, including superannuation. ABDA intends to partner with a different publisher or designer each year.

‘The opportunities for young designers to get essential in-house experience have become increasingly hard to find,’ said ABDA president Mary Callahan. ‘The current generation of wonderful Australian book designers learned their craft in house, and the design of Australian books reflects that expertise. We are thrilled that HarperCollins are partnering with ABDA for the first internship.’

The program aims to foster cultural diversity in the book design community and train the next generation of book designers. ABDA said: ‘The placement will provide a well-rounded introduction to the industry and create practical and sustainable pathways towards long-term careers for aspiring professionals.’ Applications from people with a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds are encouraged, and ABDA doesn’t place an age or experience limit on applicants.

More information about the internship, including details on how to apply, is available on the ABDA website, with applications closing 31 October. 

Category: Local news