Request for Proposals: Publication Designer

Contact: stevensinitiative@aspeninstitute.org

RFP Issue Date: March 12, 2026

Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2026

Overview

The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute seeks an experienced consultant to edit, design, and print a 50-60 page collective volume for the Same Sky/Mismo Cielo: Cross Border Exchange for Young Writers program. The selected consultant will be responsible for bringing this project to life by compiling the participants’ original work into a finalized, published book. This project will involve managing the volume’s editing, designing the book’s cover and interior layout, and overseeing the final printing and delivery.

Background

The Stevens Initiative, a program of the Aspen Institute, is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from different places together through everyday technology for dialogue and discovery.

Same Sky/Mismo Cielo: Cross Border Exchange for Young Writers is a 10-week hybrid cross-border exchange program and writing workshop designed for young adults in the U.S.-Mexico border communities. Currently being piloted in the Ciudad Juárez-El Paso area, the program is aimed at young people ages 18 to 24 who have an interest in using creative writing and storytelling to drive social change. Participants explore contemporary border identities and social issues while developing short works of creative writing. At the end of the 10 weeks, the participants’ original work will be compiled and published in a collective volume, including a mix of participant’s original works, interviews/testimonials, and a foreword to be written by a notable author.

Eligibility

The configuration of the team (an individual contractor, an established agency, a newly constituted team, etc.) should be described in the submitted proposal. Given the nature of the scope (editing, design, printing), applicants can include subcontractors to support with specific work but are expected to manage the entire project throughout the contract.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal applicant will demonstrate experience in managing anthologies (e.g., zines, art books, or multi-author digital platforms), with a proven ability to weave diverse creative submissions into a single, cohesive visual narrative while preserving the unique personality of each individual work.
Applicants should lead with creativity and bold aesthetics, with a portfolio that moves beyond standard corporate report layouts and showcases a mastery of dynamic typography, vibrant color theory, and design that is fresh, modern, and engaging.
Designers who are energized by the mission of the Stevens Initiative and the Same Sky program are encouraged to apply. While not a required qualification, a collaborator who is genuinely excited to amplify youth voices and can help elevate this collective into a professional-grade showcase that honors each creator’s vision is strongly encouraged to apply.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will

Prepare the final volume for publication, managing all typesetting, formatting, and editing.
Design the interior layout and cover of the volume, creating a visual style that reflects the binational youth identity and social change themes explored during the program, which can be adapted to other geographic contexts.
Collaborate with the Initiative throughout the design and proofing process to finalize the design and layout of the final volume.
Manage the printing and delivery of 40-50 books.

Deliverables

Three mood boards laying out design options for the final publication.
Digital proofs of the book’s cover and interior design.
40-50 printed and delivered copies of the collective volume.
Digital version/print ready files.

Timeline

April 1, 2026: Proposal deadline
April 10, 2026: Consultant selected; contracting phase begins
May 8, 2026: Contract begins
May 15, 2026: Stevens Initiative will deliver final participant pieces, participant interviews/testimonials, images, and foreword
June 30, 2026: Print copies delivered to Aspen Institute offices

Budget Range

The Initiative expects to enter into a contract ranging from $5,000-$7,000 for all costs. Proposals that suggest amounts outside this range will be considered, but the differences should be justified in the proposal.

The applicant whose proposal is selected will enter into a contract with the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and a payment schedule will be arrived at by mutual agreement during the contracting phase.

Proposal Materials

Please submit:

A short statement of intent, sharing your interest in this specific project.
A timeline for work between May 8 and June 30, 2026, including review periods, meetings, and the finalization of different deliverables.
A detailed budget outlining all costs associated with the project deliverables, including staff time, printing, and other anticipated costs or services.
Three-to-five examples of similar work.
Profiles of all members of the project team.

Applying and More Information

For more information about the Stevens Initiative or this RFP, please see stevensinitiative.org or email stevensinitiative@aspeninstitute.org. The Stevens Initiative will not provide feedback on proposals that are not selected.

Proposals should be submitted to stevensinitiative@aspeninstitute.org by 4pm U.S. Eastern Time on April 1, 2026. Please include the subject line “Same Sky Design Proposal.”