Course Overview

Desktop Publishing is a term used to describe an exciting development in computer applications that combines a computer, software, a scanner, a digital camera, the Internet, a laser printer, and a color printer into a standalone publishing system. This course will begin with a brief explanation of the publishing and printing process, the terminology, the jobs, the hardware and the software. Desktop Publishing will be introduced as an application of computer technology to an old, established process. Elements of attractive page layout, color and design will be stressed. Desktop Publishing software will be used to develop a set of publishing projects that begin with simple drawings, announcements and magazine covers and increase in complexity to multi-page documents such as menus, newsletters, tri-fold brochures, a business proposal and a school newspaper.

Target Audience

The course is designed both for employees who want to enhance their work experience and individuals who are interested in:

• To combine text and graphics to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, and web pages.
• Using text and graphics to communicate an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and other types of visual communication.
• Focusing exclusively on visual communications for display on websites and mobile devices to include text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.

Detailed specification of things you can do with Desktop Publishing

• Design print communications such as brochures, fliers, ads, and posters.
• Design print communications such as catalogs, directories, and annual reports.
• Design logos, business cards, and letterhead.
• Design and publish newsletters, magazines, and newspapers.
• Design books and booklets.
• Convert print communications to formats for the web and smart devices such as tablets and phones.
• Create resumes and business forms including invoices, inventory sheets, memos, and labels.
• Self-publish books, newsletters, and e-books.
• Design and publish blogs and websites.
• Design slides shows, presentations, and handouts.
• Create and print greeting cards, banners, postcards, candy wrappers, and iron-on transfers.
• Make digital scrapbooks and print or digital photo albums.
• Create decorative labels, envelopes, trading cards, calendars, and charts.
• Design packaging for retail merchandise from wrappers for bars of soap to software boxes.
• Design store signs, highway signs, and billboards.
• Take work designed by others and putting it into the correct format for digital or offset printing or for publishing online.
• Create more attractive, readable reports, posters, and print or on-screen presentations for school or business.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this course, candidates will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the process of planning, drafting, developing and creating a DTP document to meet the needs of a target audience. Candidates will develop their graphics manipulation skills to edit and develop a series of images for inclusion in their DTP document, as well as create a simple graphic using the graphic tools available in DTP packages.

Candidates will be able to:

• Plan a document to meet a given brief
• Create and apply style sheets
• Use graphics tools to create basic shapes
• Develop images for inclusion in a completed document
• Prepare publication for final print.