Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging

Overview

Programs in desktop publishing and digital imaging prepare people to combine images and words into print and computer displays.

This program includes topics such as:

Desktop publishing software
Editing and manipulating photos, clip art, and designs
Illustration and layout techniques
Principles of design
Web page design

Portfolio

Students begin to develop their professional portfolio during college. This includes samples of work from team projects and independent projects. Projects completed during their senior year and internship are important to their portfolio.

Schools

Students can enroll in a computer training school, an art school, or a college or university to learn desktop publishing. Some universities offer desktop publishing as continuing education. They may offer digital imaging courses in departments of art or computer science.

Several community colleges and technical schools offer associate degree programs in desktop publishing and digital imaging. An associate degree program usually takes two years to complete.

A few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in desktop publishing and digital imaging. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Very few schools offer a master's degree. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Art
Computer Graphics
Computer-assisted Art
Exploration of Printing Careers
Graphic Arts and Printing
Mass Media, Communication
Printmaking and Graphics

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Ad Design
Animation (Motion Graphics)
Business Management
Color Theory
Communication Theory
Computer and Digital Graphics
Computer Animation and Imaging
Computer Art
Desktop Publishing
Digital Culture and Media
Digital Journalism
Drawing and Sketching
Electronic Arts Theory
Graphic Design
Graphic Photography
Illustration
Multimedia Projects
Multimedia Publishing
Printing and Publication Design
Specific Software Packages
Typography
Visual Design and Visual Effects

Things to Know

Independent art and design schools focus more intensively on project work and career preparation. Colleges and universities typically require certain general courses in addition to studio art requirements. Most art programs teach computer techniques in the visual arts.

Many programs also include instruction in writing, proofreading, and editing so you can manage a publication from the initial draft to design and layout and ultimately, to publishing.

Many people with a certificate or degree in desktop publishing go on to work as graphic designers, editors, and writers. A typical place to work is for a large organization or company with communications and marketing departments. In addition, many administrative jobs require knowledge of desktop publishing software.