Career in Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing has recently evolved as a rewarding job opportunity in India. Often recruited in printing and publishing industries, desktop publishing incorporates around organizing data and graphics in highly creative and presentable manner, so that it can be used for publishing in a newspaper, magazine, or even on the web. In the era of globalization, every company wants the best representation of its products to reach its target audience most effectively. To achieve this, firms hire desktop publishers who are highly skilled and creative. The role of desktop publishers is to strike a perfect mix with all the printable elements available and create a document that can easily be printed even on a home printer. Because of its high demand in print and electronic media, desktop publishing has transformed into a money-spinning job opportunity. Several institutes have inculcated desktop publishing in their teaching curriculum. However, the skills, knowledge, and creativity of the candidates are regarded to be more significant than just certification.

Course Details
Courses in desktop publishing are conducted by a number of institutes across India. Most courses are offered at diploma or certificate level, ranging from 4-6 months in duration. There is no minimum qualification required for pursuing this course but, most reputed firms set graduation, in any discipline, as the mandatory qualification. As such, it is best to pursue graduation before applying for desktop publishing position in any leading organization. Desktop publishing is a field of vocational studies which is yet to be fully explored and hence, many government agencies have taken the initiative of promoting it, through specialized certificate and diploma courses. The curriculum enables the students to master the latest publishing software, such as CorelDraw, PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Fireworks etc., along with other printing apparatus which is required while publishing.

Career Prospects
A number of career opportunities have come up in the market for desktop publishers. Not only do private sector enterprises hire desktop publishers, but many government sector organizations, such as Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and several other public sector undertakings which have their own publishing divisions, also recruit proficient desktop publishers. On completion of the desktop publishing course, candidates can be easily absorbed in any publishing house or press.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Desktop publishing is offered by government-aided institutes. Some of the institutes conducting this program include: National Institute of Open Schooling, Uttar Pradesh; CAD CAM Computer Education, Surat; and MICT Computer Education Private Limited, Mumbai.

Remuneration
Remuneration in this field depends upon experience, skills, and creativity of an individual. A beginner can get a starting salary of Rs. 8000 - Rs. 10,000 per month, whereas a skilled and experienced desktop publisher can receive a monthly salary package of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000.