Graphic design has evolved into a high-income, flexible career, especially with remote work and digital products on the rise. Whether freelancing or creating assets to sell, you can make a living designing graphics.
Build Design Skills
Master tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma. Understand design principles like layout, color, typography, hierarchy etc. I don’t support the use of Canva because the free version has limited features. Invest some hours daily to watch tutorials and practice along to perfect the skill. You don’t have to master every detail before sharing your work.
Building the skill from zero knowledge to a pro level can take time and commitment but the efforts, time and resources invested will eventually pay off.
To get this easier, you may want to consider buying a well structures course on graphic design. That will keep you guided in your learning journey as it gives clarity and direction in the learning process.
Create a Strong Portfolio
Showcase 6–10 projects. Use Behance, Dribble, or your own website. Once you get the basics, it is time to keep an archive of your best designs to showcase your skill. This will build trust with clients since you are a beginner and needs to prove your competence with results before you find your feet in the industry.
Choose Your Path
You can choose any of the following to sell your skill s a designer:
Freelancing: As a freelancer, you meet people on the online space, work on the gigs for them collect your money then you part ways. You do not have a employment agreement with them. You are only contacted to work on a design when the need arises. Freelancing si the greatest opportunity on the digital space since so many platforms (fiver, upwork etc) serves as a market place where creatives can showcase their works for clients who need their services to contact them.
Working for a company remotely:
You may also decide to work formally as designer for a company or firm from home. With this, you have an employment agreement with the company to be their graphic designer for which you will receive payment for.
Selling templates:
After a while of designing so many works, you may consider designer templates for sale. Other designers will by the template and edit them to their preferences.
Set Your Business Up
Use contracts, invoices, and pricing strategies. Track income and expenses to see how profitable your skill is. You may consider registering the business.
Find Clients
Use Upwork, Fiverr, cold outreach, and social media. Build a presence on LinkedIn or Instagram.
Keep Learning
Stay updated with AI tools, motion graphics, and UI trends. Learn daily, practice daily and design daily.
With the right strategy, making a living as a graphic designer is entirely possible. Focus on mastering the skill, consistency, and client satisfaction. If all these boxes are ticked, the money will follow. Until then, keep learning.