print.
A. A foundation user can use a range of basic desktop publishing software tools and techniques to produce straightforward or routine publications. Any aspect that is unfamiliar will require support and advice from others. Publication tools and techniques will described as ‘basic’ because:
> the software tools and functions will be predefined or commonly used;
> the range of entry, manipulation and outputting techniques will be straightforward or routine; and > the inputting, manipulating and outputting of the
information will be predetermined, straightforward or routine.
Examples of context: Typical documents may include – invitation, poster, menu, greetings card, business card.
B. An intermediate user can select and use a wide range of intermediate desktop publishing software tools and techniques effectively to produce publications that are at times non-routine or unfamiliar. Any aspect that is unfamiliar may require support and advice from others.
Publication tools and techniques will be described as ‘intermediate’ because:
> the software tools and functions used will be at times non-routine or unfamiliar;
> the choice and use of input, manipulation and output techniques will need to take account of a number of factors or elements; and
> the user will take some responsibility for inputting, structuring, editing and presenting the information, which at times may be non-routine or unfamiliar.
Examples of context: Typical documents may include – a newsletter or e-bulletin, illustrated brochure, price list.
C. An advanced user can select and use a wide range of advanced desktop publishing software tools and techniques effectively to produce publications that are at times non- routine or unfamiliar.
Publication tools and techniques will be described as ‘advanced’ because:
> the software tools and functions used will be complex and at times require new learning, which will involve having the idea that there may be a tool or function to do something (eg improve efficiency or create an effect), exploring technical support, self-teaching and applying; > the inputting, manipulating and outputting techniques will
be complex, and will involve research, identification and application; and
> the user will take full responsibility for inputting, structuring, editing and presenting the information.
Examples of context: Typical documents may include – an interactive or multi-media publication for the web; multi-page magazine.
National Occupational Standards for IT Users V3
Using IT productivity tools and applications
DTP: Desktop Publishing Software
Element
The competent person will…
Performance Criteria
To demonstrate this competence they can…
Knowledge
To demonstrate this competence they will also …
Examples of Content
The examples given are indicative of the learning content at each level and are not intended to form a prescriptive list for the purpose of assessment
DTP:A1 Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications
A1.3 Select and use an appropriate page design and layout for publications in line with local guidelines, where relevant A1.4 Select and use appropriate media for the publication
A1.1 Identify what types of information are needed A1.2 Identify what page design and layout will be required
Types of information: Text, images, graphics, video, sound
Page design and layout: Organisation of information, size, white space, columns, consistency, orientation
Local guidelines: Templates, house style, branding, publication guidelines, styles, colours and font schemes
Publication media: Web, document, multimedia
DTP:A2 Input and combine text and other information within publications
A2.1 Input information into publications so that it is ready for editing and formatting A2.3 Organise and combine information
of different types or from different sources in line with any copyright constraints A2.4 Store and retrieve publication files effectively, in line with local guidelines and conventions where available
A2.2 Identify copyright constraints on using others’ information
Input information: Using keyboard, mouse, scanner, voice recognition, touch screen, stylus
Copyright constraints: Effect of copyright law (eg on music downloads or use of other people’s images), acknowledgment of sources, avoiding plagiarism, permissions
Combinepresentation information: Insert, size, position, wrap, order, group Forms: images, text, graphic elements (eg borders, lines, panels, shading, logos)
Store and retrieve: Files (eg create, name, open, save, save as, print, close, find)
DTP:A3 Use desktop
publishing software techniques to edit and format publications
A3.2 Select and use appropriate techniques to edit publications and format text
A3.3 Manipulate images and graphic elements accurately
A3.4 Control text flow within single and multiple columns and pages
A3.5 Check publications meet needs, using IT tools and making corrections as necessary
A3.1 Identify what editing and formatting to use for the publication
Edit publications: Drag and drop, find, replace, undo redo, size, crop and position, use layout guides
Format text: Existing styles and schemes for font (typeface), size, orientation, colour, alignment
Manipulate images and graphic elements: Size, crop, position, maintain proportion, border
Control text flow: In columns, around images and graphic elements, between pages
Check publications: Spell check; grammar check, word count, completeness, accuracy, orientation, layout, text alignment and formatting
Using IT productivity tools and applications
DTP: Desktop Publishing Software
Element
The competent person will…
Performance Criteria
To demonstrate this competence they can…
Knowledge
To demonstrate this competence they will also …
Examples of Content
The examples given are indicative of the learning content at each level and are not intended to form a prescriptive list for the purpose of assessment
DTP:B1 Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications
B1.3 Select, change and use an appropriate page design and layout for publications in line with local guidelines,
where relevant
B1.4 Select and use appropriate media for the publication
B1.1 Describe what types of information are needed B1.2 Describe how to change
page design and layout to increase effectiveness of a publication
Types of information: Text, images, graphics, video, sound
Page design and layout: Organisation of information, size, white space, columns, consistency, orientation, proportion
Local guidelines: Templates, house style, branding, publication guidelines, existing styles and schemes, refinements to styles and schemes
Publication media: Web, document, multimedia
DTP:B2 Input and combine text and other information within publications
B2.1 Find and input information into a publication so that it is ready for editing and formatting
B2.2 Organise and combine information
for publications in line with any copyright constraints, including importing information produced using other software
B2.5 Store and retrieve publication files effectively, in line with local guidelines and conventions where available
B2.3 Describe how copyright constraints affect use of own and others’ information B2.4 Describe which file format
to use for saving designs and images
Input information: using keyboard, mouse, scanner, voice recognition, touch screen, stylus
Combine information for publications: Combine images with text and graphic elements (eg borders, lines, panels, shading, logos) import information produced using other software, reference external information with hyperlinks, object linking or embedding
Copyright constraints: Effect of copyright law (eg on music downloads or use of other people’s images), acknowledgment of sources, avoiding plagiarism, permissions
File formats for designs and images: Will vary according to the content, for example jpg for Internet photo display, png for Internet drawing display, svg for graphic designs (the ISO standard most likely to be fully supported by web browsers) - Digital picture format (e.g. jpeg and psd)
- Bitmap or raster picture formats (eg raw bitmaps, bmp and compressed formats jpeg and png)
- Vector graphics (eg svg, wmf, eps, ai)
Store and retrieve: Files (eg create, name, open, save, save as, print, close, find, share); version control; import/export; file size; folders (eg create, name)
National Occupational Standards for IT Users V3
Using IT productivity tools and applications
DTP: Desktop Publishing Software
Element
The competent person will…
Performance Criteria
To demonstrate this competence they can…
Knowledge
To demonstrate this competence they will also …
Examples of Content
The examples given are indicative of the learning content at each level and are not intended to form a prescriptive list for the purpose of assessment
DTP:B3 Use desktop
publishing software techniques to edit and format publications
B3.2 Select and use appropriate techniques to edit publications and format text B3.3 Manipulate images and graphic elements accurately
B3.4 Control text flow within single and multiple columns and pages
B3.5 Check publications meet needs, using IT tools and making corrections as
necessary
B3.6 Identify and respond to quality problems with publications to make sure they meet needs
B3.1 Identify what editing and formatting to use for the publication
Edit publications: Drag and drop, find, replace, undo redo, size, crop and position, use layout guides
Format text: Existing styles and schemes for font (typeface), size, orientation, colour, alignment
Manipulate images and graphic elements: Size, crop, position, maintain proportion, border
Control text flow: In columns, around images and graphic elements, between pages
Check publications: Spell check; grammar check, word count, completeness, accuracy, orientation, layout, text alignment and formatting
Quality problems with publications: Will vary according to the content, for example, text (eg colour, size, style), images (eg orientation, size, position, cropping)
Types of information: Text, images, graphics, video, sound C1.1 Explain what types of
information are needed
DTP:C1 Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications
C1.3 Select, change, define, create and use appropriate page design and layout for publications in line with local guidelines, where relevant
Page design and layout: Organisation of information, size, white space, columns, consistency, orientation, proportion, balance, symmetry
C1.2 Explain when and how to change page design and layout to increase effectiveness of a publication
Local guidelines: Templates, house style, branding, publication guidelines; existing styles and schemes, refinements to styles and schemes; new specially defined styles and schemes
C1.4 Select and use appropriate media for the publication
Publication media: Web, document, multimedia
DTP:C2 Input and combine text and other information within publications
C2.1 Find and input information into a publication so that it is ready for editing and formatting
Input information: using keyboard, mouse, scanner, voice recognition, touch screen, stylus
C2.3 Provide guidance on how
copyright constraints affect use of own and others’
information Combine information for publicationselements (eg borders, lines, panels, shading, logos) import information produced : Combine images with text and graphic using other software, reference external information with hyperlinks, object linking or embedding
C2.2 Organise and combine information
for publications in line with any copyright constraints, including importing information produced using other software
C2.4 Explain which file format
to use for saving designs and images
C2.5 Store and retrieve publication files effectively, in line with local guidelines and conventions where available
Copyright constraints: Effect of copyright law (eg on music downloads or use of other people’s images), acknowledgment of sources, avoiding plagiarism, permissions
Using IT productivity tools and applications
DTP: Desktop Publishing Software
Element
The competent person will…
Performance Criteria
To demonstrate this competence they can…
Knowledge
To demonstrate this competence they will also …
Examples of Content
The examples given are indicative of the learning content at each level and are not intended to form a prescriptive list for the purpose of assessment
File formats for designs and images: Will vary according to the content, for example jpg for Internet photo display, png for Internet drawing display, svg for graphic designs (the ISO standard most likely to be fully supported by web browsers) - Digital picture format (e.g. jpeg and psd)
- Bitmap or raster picture formats (eg raw bitmaps, bmp and compressed formats jpeg and png)
- Vector graphics (eg svg, wmf, eps, ai)
Store and retrieve: Files (eg create, name, open, save, save as, print, close, find, share); version control; import/export; file size; file properties; folders (eg create, name); archive (backup, restore)
DTP:C3 Use desktop
publishing software techniques to edit and format publications
C3.2 Create styles, colours and font schemes to meet needs
C3.3 Select and use appropriate techniques to edit publications and
format text
C3.4 Manipulate images and graphic elements accurately
C3.5 Control text flow within single and multiple columns and pages
C3.6 Check publications meet needs, using IT tools and making corrections as necessary
C3.7 Identify and respond appropriately to
quality problems with publications to ensure that outcomes are fit for purpose and meet needs
C3.1 Determine and discuss what styles, colours, font schemes, editing and formatting to use for the publication
Edit publications: Drag and drop, find, replace, undo redo, size, crop and position, use layout guides
Format text: Existing styles and schemes for font (typeface), size, orientation, colour, alignment
Manipulate images and graphic elements: Size, crop, position, maintain proportion, border
Control text flow: In columns, around images and graphic elements, between pages
IT tools to check text:
Check publications: Spell check; grammar check, word count; image size, alignment and orientation, suitability of file format; Completeness, accuracy, orientation, layout, text alignment and formatting
Quality problems with publications: Will vary according to the content, for example, text (eg text wrapping, styles), images (eg levels, contrast, resolution, colour balance, unwanted content)
National Occupational Standards for IT Users V3
Using IT productivity tools and applications