DTP Specialist, Johannesburg

Responsible for evaluating, preparing page layouts, formatting, customising, PDFing, delivery and back up of custom high-end graphics, bespoke design requests and creative artwork, with the aim of ensuring final material is 100% technically correct and ready for print or publishing, in line with CI. Artwork deliverables may include a range of bespoke covers, templates, logos, invites, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures and art files.

Responsibilities:

Desktop publishing

• Understand the brief and ensure that all information and files are gathered at hand-over, if not ensure it is obtained from art director and/or Ops or Traffic manager
• Evaluate and prepare project deliverables for translation following set quality standards.
• Co-ordinate planning to ensure deadlines are met and prioritise workflow.
• Gather existing materials or work with designers and writers to create new artwork or text
• Find and edit graphics, such as photographs or illustrations
• Verify source files and fonts and the conversion of files for print.
• Format and PDF documentation and artwork is checked 100% to technical specs, including:
  • place and resize localized screen dumps and art files,
  • generate indexes and tables of contents
  • selecting formatting, such as the size and style of type, column width and spacing
  • selecting and checking colours
  • scanning and editing photographs and other images.
  • producing graphics such as diagrams, charts and tables
  • re-sizing design elements to fit the page
  • making sure images are positioned near the relevant portion of text
  • making sure that each page, and the document as a whole, is uncluttered and well balanced
  • using electronic publishing technologies, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to convert documents to an internet-ready format.
• Complete own projects on time and in line with quality standards.
• Be aware and have full understanding of cost implications and sense of responsibility towards the client budget restrictions.

Stakeholder engagement

• Liaises directly with creative team and Traffic/Operations Manager to determine deadlines, job instructions and design requirements to ensure timeous delivery in line with agreed SLA
• Provide daily feedback to the Traffic / Production Manager with regards project tasks status.
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders 
• Manage relationships with suppliers and agencies 
• Report and provide feedback to management on progress and challenges

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree / Diploma in graphic design, graphic arts, or graphic communications is preferable
• Presentation of an artistic portfolio
• 4-6 years' experience in DTP
• Experience using Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign)