1. Computing & Technology

Discuss in my forum

Why is Desktop Publishing Important?

By , About.com Guide

Question: Why is Desktop Publishing Important?
Desktop publishing and graphic design can make documents look better, prettier. But it's about more than just appearance. Desktop publishing, used properly, enhances visual communication and streamlines the process of disseminating information of all kinds.
Answer: Desktop publishing is important as a tool that can enhance communication by making it possible to quickly and efficiently produce printed and electronic (online or on-screen) documents.

Desktop publishing software allows the user to rearrange text and graphics on screen, change typefaces as easily as changing shoes, and resize graphics on the fly, before finally committing a design to paper.

There are drawbacks to desktop publishing in that it also makes it easier and less expensive to produce really bad designs. So, while desktop publishing is important, education in basic principles of graphic design and desktop publishing techniques is equally important.

And desktop publishing is important because...

Employers are looking for employees with desktop publishing skills for all their job openings. That means office managers, teachers, administrative assistants, real estate agents, restaurant managers, and just about any office or clerical job (and many that aren't) require some level of desktop publishing skills.

All the FAQs: Career & Business | Software | Design & Layout | Graphics | Type & Fonts | Prepress & Printing

Readers Respond: What Kind of Desktop Publishing Do You Do?

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.