SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Desktop Publishers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Advertising Associate
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What do Desktop Publishers do?

Desktop publishers are professionals who use specialized computer software to create visual layouts for printed and digital materials. They work on a diverse range of products including brochures, magazines, books, newsletters, and advertisements. The role primarily involves taking text and images and combining them in an aesthetically pleasing way that adheres to the principles of design and typography. Desktop publishers must have a keen eye for detail, as they are responsible for ensuring that the layouts they produce are visually engaging and effectively communicate the intended message. In addition, they may also be tasked with preparing files for printing and ensuring that all specifications are met, which involves understanding color theory and print processes. With the increasing demand for digital content, many desktop publishers are also involved in creating web layouts and multimedia presentations. This career requires a blend of technical skills, creativity, and proficiency in design software such as Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or PageMaker, along with strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

What the work actually is

  • Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
  • Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns.
  • Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
  • View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
  • Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Originality The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Fluency of Ideas The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Bachelor's degree
Associate's degree

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Creative Cloud software · Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop · Graphics software
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Desktop publishing software Adobe InDesign · Microsoft Publisher · QuarkXPress · Serif PagePlus
  • Data conversion software AlgoLab Raster to Vector Conversion Toolkit · GTX RastorCAD · Potrace · Trix TracTrix
  • Operating system software Apple macOS · Microsoft operating system · Microsoft Windows · UNIX

Tools

  • Scanners
  • Graphics tablets Pen tablets
  • Notebook computers
  • Laser printers
  • Desktop computers

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

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Questions people ask

How much do Desktop Publishers earn in South Africa?

Desktop Publishers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Desktop Publishers do?

Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy, Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns and Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.