Design Internship at Tara Publishing, Chennai, India

Gita Wolf, Director of Tara Publishing, writes:

Design is an integral part of how we conceive of our books, which are largely visual in nature – and radical, witty and informed in spirit. We welcome experiment, but in combination with communication and conceptual strength. Our visual arts titles concentrate on design, popular culture and photography, with a focus on energetic contemporary work. We also have a new stationery line called One&Only.

Truly unique to Tara is our line of books made entirely by hand. Created in our own workshop, they use hand processes like silk-screen and letter press printing on handmade paper, to re-fashion traditional artisanal skills into fine contemporary bookmaking. (More information on our website)

As an intern, you will have access to our workshop facilities, as you become an active member of our in-house design team. As part of our collective, you will get a chance participate in the creation of future ideas, as well as work on a range of current projects while gaining professional skills and a portfolio of printed work. We also create exhibitions to promote our books, and you will have the opportunity to conceptualise and curate art work into exhibitions.

Your tasks could include the following:

1. Design catalogues and brochures
2. Design books and book covers
3. Liaison with artists and illustrators, including a variety of traditional artists
4. Help research visual material for projects
5. Market our handmade titles
6. Develop original stationery, and postcards
7. Update our website
8. Design collateral material like posters, displays, invitations, event kits, and sales material
9. Participate in discussions with editorial, production, design, sales and marketing people during book development to realise a collective vision
10. Maintain design area, including filing, archiving and organizing
11. Design exhibition material and work with galleries on putting up exhibitions

We also encourage you to take specifically designated time, separate from your daily responsibilities, to explore innovative designs for new products for Tara. We welcome your experimenting with new materials, production processes, and forms.

If you are interested in this position, write to mail@tarabooks.com with your CV, and we will be happy to send you more details on how to apply. We are now considering applicants for the period July 2007–July 2008.

Please send your enquiries about this position to mail@tarabooks.com, rather than to St Bride Library.