16 Key Attributes Desktop Publishers Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Sophia Miller

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Desktop publishers format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

The core tasks that desktop publishers are likely to carry out include:

Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
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.
Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.
Transmit, deliver or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates.
Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that desktop publishers would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 97.6%

Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 91%

Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 89%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 88.4%

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 87.6%

Being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 86.2%

Having a strong preference for artistic work environments. Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 85.71%

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 85.4%

A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 81.2%

Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 81%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80.8%

Developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80%

Establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80%

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).
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%