Just a decade ago, desktop publishing was hailed as one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). The prediction for the 2006-2016 decade, however, is little or no change (less than 1%).
This doesn’t mean that it is not a worthwhile field to enter, especially for a professional with experience in a related field like computers, graphic or Web design, printing or with DTP certification. In fact, desktop publishing is still popular as a career choice due to its versatility that incorporates graphic and Web design, animation and working with photographs and illustrations.
DTP Job Outline – What Desktop Publishers Do and Work on
Because desktop publishers work closely with text and layout, they may be required to function as proofreaders, editors and writers as well, requiring attention to detail and solid spelling, grammar and reading comprehension skills. Following is a list of some of the responsibilities of a desktop publisher:
- Design and create graphics to accompany text,
- lay out graphics and text on a page,
- adjust color, type, column width and spacing,
- go through multiple revisions,
- convert illustrations and photographs into digital images,
- assure readability and attractiveness of the material,
- print the material,
- send the material, usually in electronic format, to a commercial printer,
- prepare material for online use,
- develop presentations.
Depending on the industry and projects, desktop publishers may also work in a deadline-driven environment, requiring patience and excellent interpersonal skills. Some of the print or online projects desktop publishers work on are:
- advertisements
- books
- brochures
- calendars
- catalogs
- directories
- flyers
- forms
- magazines
- (email) newsletters
- newspapers
- packaging
- product design
- Web sites
DTP Job Descriptions – What Desktop Publishers are Also Called
Because desktop publishing started only a little over 20 years ago, it is considered a fairly new profession. Therefore, job titles and the departments that desktop publishing belongs to vary widely. According to the OOH 2008-09, desktop publishers "may also be called
- publications specialists,
- electronic publishers,
- DTP operators,
- desktop publishing editors,
- electronic pre-press technicians,
- electronic publishing specialists,
- image designers,
- typographers,
- compositors,
- layout artists, and
- Web publications designers."
Desktop Publishing Skills and Requirements
The best way to find out about DTP job requirements is to scan actual job descriptions and study the keywords and phrases used. As seen above, those can be found under the headings of graphic design jobs, marketing, software management, computer graphics, documentation, production and others.
It is unlikely that for one job, one will require knowledge of more than one software program as professional software packages are expensive and employers will stick with their preferred choice. However, there are many desktop publishing programs out there and proficiency with various ones will increase the chances of finding a job.
A job applicant’s most basic knowledge package should involve mastery of one desktop publishing software program for page layout including DTP terminlogy and understanding of related technology like image editing, illustrations and animation programs. Desktop publishers also need to be able to operate printers, scanners, computers, copiers and other office equipment. To increase one’s chances in the job market, knowing how to use the software on both a PC and Mac environment will help.
DTP Job Prospects
Desktop publishing’s big advantage – that it is relatively easy to learn – has become the biggest hurdle for anyone trying to break into it: More employees are learning DTP skills on the side as part of their regular job in other industries. However, it still does take time to know a software program well and to become good at the job. Therefore, there is still demand for experienced and creative desktop publishers.
As Ed Hogan, program coordinator for the Graphic Design and Multimedia Studies programs at Manchester Community College in Manchester, CN in Anne Flounders’ November 1, 2004 Career World article “Laying out the future” advises: “You will push yourself and push the software to the boundaries, because you're not designing to the computer. You're going to make the computer design for you.”
Employment Scope – Where do Desktop Publishers Work
According to the OOH, almost two thirds of all desktop publishers worked either in publishing (35%) or printing (24%) in 2006. The rest were employed in many other industries that produce printed or published materials. As more organizations are moving their published material to their own Web sites or elsewhere on the Internet to reduce costs, the demand for Web-savvy desktop publishers will increase.
In summary, the following organizations have a need for desktop publishing professionals:
- newspapers
- periodicals
- book publishers
- directory publishers
- printers
- printing-related industries
- professional organizations
- scientific firms
- technical services firms
- the non-profit sector
- freelancing opportunities in any organization on a project-by-project basis
Though desktop publishing is not the fast-growing industry it once was and it is a bit more difficult to find entry-level desktop publishing jobs, it is still a field with many prospects for professionals willing to be flexible and stay abreast of the latest technological developments.
 |
