Find Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design Jobs

^{Original publication 2006 with occasional updates}

Desktop publishing was (when this article was originally written) one of the top 10 fastest-growing professions projected through 2010. The jobs may be less plentiful in 2011 but they are still out there and the Internet is a convenient tool for finding those desktop publishing and graphic design jobs.

To make use of this tool and find your dream job you need to be able to decipher job titles and job descriptions. You can also use Internet resources to find out potential salaries for desktop publishers and how well your current technical skills stack up against what employers want.

Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design Jobs Go By Many Names

So you want a Desktop Publishing job? With all the confusion over the difference between desktop publishng and graphic design jobs finding a job is not quite so simple as plugging in 'desktop publishing job' in a search engine.

For example, here are some job titles used by various employers that are essentially desktop publishing or graphic design jobs or utilize a great many desktop publishing or design skills:

• Marketing Communications Coordinator
• Technical Writer
• Technical Publications Engineer
• Web Developer
• Digital Electronic Prepress Manager
• Documentation Specialist
• Software Product Manager
• Digital Image Processor
• Production Supervisor
• Proofreader
• Graphic Designer
• Training Coordinator

Then again, other employers use these same job titles but the job has little if anything to do with desktop publishing or graphic design. The only way to know is to do your research.

Descriptions for Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design Jobs Tell the Real Story

Descriptions of the job duties are more helpful in determining if it is a job that you want to consider. Here are excerpts from actual job descriptions for positions that are primarily desktop publishing or graphic design jobs - even though the job titles may or may not specify desktop publisher or graphic designer.

• Responsible for clearly communicating new product information. Experienced desktop publishing professional to work closely with Product Marketing. The successful applicant will be responsible for driving due dates, editing and desktop publishing documents as well as obtaining necessary approvals under tight deadlines.

• Desktop publishing for international publishing company. Will be responsible for page layout, as well as interfacing with end-users.

• Direct and create the overall graphic design of Web site and client projects. Take projects from rough concept to camera-ready art to final product, provide all online graphics and advertisements, and understand the specific requirements of online graphic work and cross platform issues.

• Responsible for performing general desktop publishing tasks such as layout, pagination, tagging, formatting, editing, and typing of large sales proposals using MS Word 6.0 on PC.

There are two important considerations in further refining your search for desktop publishing and graphic design jobs: salary and job requirements.

Doing Desktop Publishing & Graphic Design
Training, Education, Jobs:	Careers in Desktop Publishing
In the Classroom:	Back to School With Desktop Publishing
Jobs:	How to Find an Entry-Level Design Job or Internship
Business:	How to Start a Freelance Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business
Pick Your Path to Desktop Publishing
Get Started:	Basic Guidelines and Requirements for Desktop Publishing
Choose Software:	Desktop Publishing and Design Software
Tips & Tutorials:	How to Do Desktop Publishing
Make Something:	Things to Make Using Desktop Publishing
Use Templates:	Templates for Print and Web Publishing