Imagine being able to use your creativity to its full potential in order to create page layouts for books or newspapers. Your next illustration could be on the cover of the next best-selling novel. As a desktop publisher, you have the freedom to create your own schedule and work from home. You may be a contributor to the next major online newspaper. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a desktop publisher?” If you want to make your own hours every week and enjoy using your creativity to its full potential, then the good news is that you do not have to pursue endless years of education. You do not even have to have your college degree in order to get started in the world of desktop publishing.
What’s it like to be a desktop publisher?
When you become a desktop publisher, you have the ability to work at many projects at once. You may be an independent contractor, or you may work for a particular media company or newspaper agency. You may work for a magazine and assist with creating graphics for the pages of the magazine. You may research new graphics software to use in creating the images for your newspaper, magazine or other publication. Desktop publishers usually have very strict deadlines that they must meet. You may be in the process of designing the cover for a novel that is ready to be published in only a couple of weeks. Sometimes, you may be offered last-minute brochure projects that must be completed in only a day or two. Typically, however, you do not have to work in a high-stress or high-pressure atmosphere. You can also decide to work as a desktop publisher on only a part-time basis.
Education Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for becoming a desktop publisher. You should be knowledgeable in the use of computer programs to create graphics. You should also know how to use basic word processing programs. It is essential that you know how to easily manipulate fonts and graphics. You should also be open to criticism and revising your work product. It is not uncommon for companies to send a brochure or newspaper page back to the desktop publisher for minor adjustments. You should be a “people” person and have great written and oral communication skills.
Lastly, you should put together a portfolio of all of the brochures, magazines and newspaper layouts that you have completed. Having a portfolio of your work is essential in the event that a client wants to see examples of your work.
Salary & How to Get a Job
The typical salary for a desktop publisher is about $36,000 a year. To get a job in this field, you can simply begin doing contract-based work for companies online. It is easy to find freelance work online for this type of position. If you want a more stable position, then you can apply for jobs with newspapers, blogs and magazines. Established blog writers now have a demand for experienced desktop publishers who can help them achieve an aesthetically pleasing layout for a blog. You may also be able to negotiate a higher salary if you take on a full-time position with a company.
When you become a desktop publisher, you have the full freedom to work for the clients that you choose. You can take on projects that fascinate you and make you feel good about your work. You can also see the end product and know that your work helped create a best-selling book or one of the hottest blogs on the Internet.
References:
1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/desktop-publishers.htm
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_8111_become-desktop-publisher.html