Editorial Designer(InDesign Automation Specialist)

Role & responsibilities:

Template Design & Development

• Design complex templates and implement automation to strictly adhere to project specifications.
• Analyze creative briefs and manuscripts to produce production-ready prototypes of books, and educational materials.
• Ensure all templates are versatile enough to adapt to various document sizes and publication formats.

2. Automation & Scripting

• Develop and maintain custom scripts (using JavaScript, ExtendScript, or AppleScript) to automate repetitive tasks such as layout adjustments, data merging, and pre-flighting.
• Build automated solutions for PDF generation, ensuring high-quality output with auto-alignment of tables, images, and references.
• Debug and troubleshoot complex scripts to ensure efficient execution and minimize manual intervention in the publishing process.

3. XML/DTD & Data Integration

• Evaluate DTDs to ensure data structure compatibility, mapping XML tags to InDesign styles for seamless content import.
• Manage data-driven workflows by transforming raw data (XML, JSON, Excel) into styled InDesign layouts.
• Collaborate with technical teams to integrate external data sources (via APIs or XML) into the InDesign Server environment for real-time content updates.

4. End-to-End Pagination & Quality Control

• Manage the full pagination lifecycle, from raw manuscript to final print-ready PDF, ensuring adherence to strict typesetting standards.
• Implement accessibility best practices (e.g., tagging for screen readers) to meet global compliance standards.
• Establish and execute Quality Control (QC) processes, including automated pre-flight checks, to ensure accuracy in artwork and metadata.

Preferred candidate profile:

Technical Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat.
• Scripting Languages: Strong command of JavaScript and ExtendScript for InDesign automation.
• Data Formats: Deep understanding of XML, DTD, XSLT, and JSON workflows.
• Publishing Technologies: Experience with InDesign Server, MathType or LaTex euqations, and Pitstop Server (for PDF pre-flighting).

Domain Knowledge:

• Proven experience in the Publishing/e-Publishing industry in India (STEM, Academic and Elementary and Higher Education).
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG, PDF).
• Experience with basic Microsoft and Google suite and workflow management tools.