Design Intern — Book Layout & Editorial Design

Alabaster is one of the most exciting and fast-growing companies in faith-based publishing today. Founded in Los Angeles, we create beautiful and compelling Christian products — integrating thoughtful design, theological depth, and cultural relevance to help people engage with faith in meaningful ways.

We’re looking for a design intern to support book layout and editorial design, with a focus on typography, pacing, and visual storytelling across long-form printed works.

This role is ideal for someone who cares deeply about how a book feels in your hands—spacing, rhythm, type, and the relationship between image and text.

You’ll work closely with the Brand/Creative and Production teams to help bring book interiors from concept to print-ready files.

• Assist in designing interior layouts for books, Bibles, and devotionals
• Flow text into InDesign using established grid systems
• Refine typography (leading, kerning, hierarchy, spacing)
• Help build and apply consistent paragraph and character styles
• Ensure alignment to grid systems and layout consistency across spreads

• Pair photography with text in a way that enhances storytelling
• Assist in designing full-bleed image spreads, chapter openers, and transitions
• Maintain visual rhythm and pacing throughout the book
• Help iterate on layout systems based on feedback

• Organize and clean InDesign files for production
• Prepare files for print (bleeds, margins, export settings)
• Assist with proofing rounds (digital + print/wet proofs)
• Help catch layout errors before final production (widows/orphans, spacing issues, etc.)

• Help build and refine layout templates for repeatable systems (e.g., Journal Bibles)
• Contribute to internal SOPs for layout and file organization
• Maintain clean, scalable design files to reduce rework

• Strong eye for typography, layout, and visual balance
• Detail-obsessed—you notice spacing issues most people miss
• Highly organized and systems-oriented
• Patient and meticulous with long-form work
• Able to take feedback and iterate quickly
• Passionate about books, design, and the physical reading experience

• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign (required baseline)
• Familiarity with typography systems and grid-based design
• Experience with book or editorial layout
• Basic knowledge of print production (bleeds, signatures, paper, etc.)

• The expected hourly rate is $18/hour
• Hands-on experience designing real, published books
• Deep exposure to editorial design systems and typography at scale
• Understanding of print production workflows (from layout → press)
• A portfolio of refined, high-quality design work
• Mentorship from a design-driven creative team