Madan Sekar

Senior Associate Indesing, XML and Epub

Nov 2019 - Jul 2025 • 5 yrs 8 mos

Engineered advanced InDesign-to-XML and XML-to-InDesign automated publishing workflows, utilizing precise structural tagging (InDesign Tagging Preset) to map paragraph and character styles directly to JATS XML elements. Developed custom Adobe InDesign scripts (JavaScript/ExtendScript) to automate repetitive typesetting tasks, bulk XML data importing, and clean-up workflows, reducing manual styling time by over 40%. Mastered the extraction of structured XML data from Adobe InDesign layouts, ensuring seamless mapping of complex tables, mathematical equations, and localized anchor graphics into valid ePub3 containers. Architected automated export pipelines from Adobe InDesign to high-fidelity Reflowable and Fixed-Layout ePub3 formats, maintaining precise typography, fluid CSS layouts, and semantic HTML5 hierarchies. Created and deployed global external CSS frameworks within Adobe InDesign’s export options to programmatically overwrite default overrides and ensure uniform branding across Kindle and Apple Books platforms. Managed the cross-validation of exported digital assets, ensuring that InDesign-generated code passes strict EpubCheck validation and adheres to IDPF accessibility guidelines with zero syntax errors. Developed XML-first layout templates in InDesign, leveraging DTD rules within the InDesign XML Structure pane to enforce strict layout and content hierarchy before the final exporting phase.

XML and Epub

Apr 2017 - Oct 2019 • 2 yrs 6 mos

Managed end-to-end digital publishing workflows, successfully converting complex manuscripts and raw documents into validated JATS XML and high-quality ePub formats. Specialized in the structural tagging of scholarly journal articles based on NISO JATS XML standards, accurately managing front matter metadata, complex body elements, and bibliographic reference lists. Developed both Reflowable and Fixed-Layout ePub2/ePub3 packages, utilizing HTML5 and CSS3 to ensure seamless typography and visual consistency across major e-readers like Kindle and Apple Books. Conducted rigorous quality assurance and validation checks using EpubCheck and JATS DTD schemas to achieve zero structural or compliance errors prior to final delivery. Prepared and optimized JATS XML feeds to ensure error-free data ingestion and cross-linking accuracy for major institutional archives and indexing repositories. Resolved encoding errors, formatting mismatches, and parsing issues during bulk data conversion, significantly improving workflow efficiency and delivery turnaround times.