Barefoot Books - Children's Books // Illustration internship

I found this opportunity when I reached out last year to a MICA Alum whose most recent position was at MacMillan, but completed the Barefoot Books internship in the past. I wanted more insight into the publishing industry and she had indicated that the program was a valuable experience. I submitted my website portfolio, made it through the final interview rounds where I highlighted my improvement over the year within my work, how I have researched the company and what I could contribute to them all while highlighting my passion to make a difference in the publishing industry. I got my offer letter about a week later.

Barefoot Books is an independent children's book publisher based in Concord MA whose mission is to publish books that open kids' hearts, minds and worlds. There is a strong encouragement and advocacy for more representational diversity and educational concepts within the books they publish.

My responsibilities included designing graphics for marketing and promotions, along with printing out advertisements. I assisted with the design and production of our semi-annual catalog, designs for new books and products, and editorial work. Projects I worked on consisted of marketing sell sheets, social media graphics, product trailering, updated design of book reprints, and initial interior layouts.

I am proud of being able to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the work and being able to level up in the projects I was allowed to take on in a short time period. I was able to successfully showcase and grow my skills on art-direction and have the last project I took on to exhibit those strengths. My biggest take-away and thing I learned was how to conduct myself professionally when I advocate for myself, projects I want to take part of, and raising concerns that improve quality of work (illustration or representation). I feel like I got a good insight on what it is like to work in children’s publishing and all the parts it takes to make sure that a title goes out into the world. I really enjoy the atmosphere and how easily I can track how other departments are doing. I also like the routine work and appreciate the flexibility of hours. I can see myself continuing in the publishing industry as a day job and see my practice of illustration adapted in my off hours.