Who is a desktop publisher?
Desktop publishing commonly refers to the preparation of everything from greeting cards to brochures to newsletters. So a desktop publisher is just about anyone who uses desktop publishing software of any kind in connection with their business or employment.
And while a desktop publisher is anyone whose job or business primarily involves using desktop publishing systems to produce documents, that doesn't mean that only a desktop publisher (or graphic designer) can do desktop publishing. Anyone can use desktop publishing software and techniques to produce documents.
Here are some different definitions for desktop publisher. Which do you think most closely defines the term? Which most closely defines you and your involvement with desktop publishing? In these definitions, "design documents" means create documents such as newsletters, brochures, advertisements, books, and Web pages, etc. using desktop publishing techniques.
- a graphic designer or other professional (often with some formal training or background) who uses desktop publishing software (most often the high-end programs such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress) to design documents for clients.
- a (often) small or home-based business person (often self-trained or with a background other than design or printing) who uses their computer and professional or consumer desktop publishing software to design documents for clients.
- a (often) small or home-based business person with a word processing, resume, or office support business who uses their word processing software (usually) or consumer desktop publishing software to design documents for their word processing clients.
- a person who uses their computer and desktop publishing software to design documents for their own business (not for clients). Will usually use low-end to midrange desktop publishing software and print documents directly to their desktop printers.
- a secretary, administrative assistant, or other office support person who uses word processing or desktop publishing software to design documents for an employer — in addition to their normal, non-design duties.
As you can see, there are many possibilities. Depending on where you fall in this range, you may feel that only one definition is "correct" or that some definitions are way off-base. There is also the valid contention that "desktop publisher" is too broad a term. Desktop publishing is a process not a person or a job title. Graphic designers and secretaries both may use desktop publishing techniques but their jobs are far too different to lump under the same title.
Although there is no standard, graphic designers typically have some formal design training or have immersed themselves in the informal study of graphic design. They typically utilize professional desktop publishing software and they also prepare everything from greeting cards to brochures to newsletters.
Yet not all those who call themselves desktop publishers or graphic designers actually prepare all those types of documents. And those that do, may or may not do them all well.
While you and I know that desktop publishing is a process not a person or a job title, not everyone understands the difference. Because graphic designers and secretaries and the kid next door may all use desktop publishing software and techniques a potential employer or client may view your use of the term desktop publishing or desktop publisher negatively or positively depending on their own personal experience with designers, secretaries, and the kid next door.
Ultimately it is your design skills that will determine the type of work you do and the type of clients or employers you can attract. However, if you are aware of how others may perceive desktop publishing then you can avoid or at least be prepared for the pitfalls and problems of being viewed as overpriced or under-qualified.
