The Common Misconceptions about Graphic Designing and Desktop Publishing

 Very strong feelings arise when different groups try to define graphic designing and desktop publishing. Although not all of the ideas associated with these terms are correct, knowing the common misconceptions surrounding graphic design and desktop publishing will give you the tools you need when dealing with clients.

How people perceive you as a graphic designer or business is determined by the definitions you give to yourself and your job. Therefore, letting clients know what you mean by graphic designing and desktop publishing will help you avoid expectations that are both too high and too low. A happy client is one who knows exactly what you can provide and receives these expected results.

In reality, both of these terms refer to different processes, albeit processes with similarities. Both terms involve design for printing newsletters, printing posters, printing brochures, and postcard printing, to name a few. Desktop publishing specifically refers to using a computer and software to design layouts such as brochures, newsletters, and books. Graphic design is both an art and a process involving the design of both images and text. It can include designing images such as logos and graphics or designing postcard printing and other print materials. Graphic design can be done both with and without a computer and software.

Although a Mac is most often preferred over a PC by many large design companies and printing companies, there are many professionals out there who prefer the use of a PC. Many freelancers simply use whichever one they prefer. Neither a Mac nor a PC determines if you are a professional designer or not, and PC's are actually on the rise in popularity for graphic designers.

For professional graphic designing and desktop publishing, most firms use such professional software as Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXpress. Many do-it-yourself small business owners often purchase the less expensive software, such as Microsoft Publisher or Corel Paint Shop Pro, simply because they are more affordable and easy to use. However, a large number of freelancers also use these consumer desktop publishing software for brochure printing, postcard printing, or any other graphic design projects quite successfully.

The definition given to the term desktop publisher or even graphic designer depends on individual perspectives. Some people see desktop publishers as professional firms who use professional software for producing newsletters, brochures, books, and other desktop publishing materials for clients. Others may see a desktop publisher as anyone, including home business owners, who produce brochure printing, postcard printing, and other similar items for clients using any software, whether it be professional or not. Still others may view desktop publishers as anyone who designs any type of document using the software on the computer for their boss, a client, or personal use. The term graphic designer also has similar problems with a wide variety of definitions. A graphic designer can be seen as a profession firm, a home business, or a kid next door who likes to play around with the effects in Photoshop.

Ultimately, because the misconceptions about graphic designing and desktop publishing are still so common, it is up to individual designers to make sure clients know what is meant by a title. This may be why so many graphic designers are using the title "freelance graphic designer" or "freelance desktop publisher" so that clients know that the work is done by a professional individual rather than a professional firm.