Thanks to sophisticated publishing software, desktop publishing has replaced traditional printing and typesetting production. There is strong demand for desktop publishers with formal training and experience using these applications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts XX% growth in desktop publishing jobs through 2014, as more and more companies employ in-house publishers to perform page layout and other design work.
Opportunities should be best for graduates of college-level desktop publishing and graphic design programs. Associate and bachelor degree programs offer comprehensive training in desktop publishing, with courses in design layout, design and production, creating newsletters, elements of illustration and printing, web design, and more. In addition, the program includes training in specific technologies such as Adobe Pagemaker, Illustrator, QuarkExpress, PowerPoint, Corel, Ventura, and more.
Desktop publishing degree holders go on to jobs in publishing and printing, or work as in-house publishers for various companies. Forty percent work in journalism and book publishing, and about 25% in printing. Printing jobs generally pay more than journalism and book publishing positions. The median annual salary in 2004 was $36,040 for printers, and just under $30,000 for those in the print publishing industry. Salaries vary widely depending on experience, and veteran desktop publishers typically command well over $50,000.
A desktop publishing degree offers an opportunity for aspiring designers to focus their talents with applied technical skills. Computer technology has revolutionized the printing and publishing field, shifting the emphasis from production to creative design. Desktop publishing programs teach students to make the most of these sophisticated design resources.
