8 Ways to Make Money as a Graphic Designer

Do you want to make a career in Graphic designing? Before we explain, let’s talk about what is a graphic designer. It is important to know about graphic design before the thought of beginning a career in graphic designing. A graphic design is an art of portraying thought, experiences and practice of planning through textual and visual content. Graphic design is a medium for communicating messages or ideas visually. So, in today’s blog we we’ll explore about career in graphic designing in detail.

What is a Graphic designer?

Graphic designers are visual storytellers. They use images, shapes, and colours to create designs for websites, advertisements, and more. Their goal is to grab attention and communicate ideas clearly. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and create designs that meet their goals.

Here are some of the things graphic designers can do:

• Design logos, packaging, and other branding materials
• Create layouts for websites and magazines
• Develop user interfaces for apps and software
• Design marketing materials like brochures and posters

If you enjoy being creative and have a knack for visual communication, then graphic design might be the right career for you!

Also read: Top 10 Interview Questions For Graphic Designing Job

Job responsibilities of Graphic designer

A graphic designer’s job involves a creative process:

• Brainstorming ideas: They start by sketching out initial concepts, either by hand or using design software like Adobe Illustrator or Canva.
• Bringing ideas to life: Once they have a rough plan, they use various tools and technology to create visual elements that communicate a message, often using photos and artwork.
• Meeting client needs: Their specific tasks depend on the client’s requirements, but they may create marketing materials, design brochures and reports, develop print advertisements, enhance photos for digital displays, and much more.

Skills Required career in graphic designing

A graphic designer plays a crucial role in bringing visual concepts to life. Beyond mastering design software, they wear several hats to ensure successful projects.

• Client Collaboration:
  • Meeting with clients to understand their needs and project scope.
  • Advising clients on audience-specific strategies and messaging.
• Creative Execution:
  • Designing visuals that effectively communicate a message or brand identity.
  • Developing various graphic elements like illustrations, logos, and website graphics.
  • Selecting the perfect combination of colours, images, text styles, and layout.
• Presentation and Refinement:
  • Presenting design concepts to clients or art directors.
  • Incorporating client feedback into the final design.
  • Reviewing and finalizing designs to ensure accuracy and quality.

Why Graphic is the best career choice?

Here are some of the reasons why you might consider a career in graphic design:

• Promising job market: The field of graphic design is expected to grow by 20%, creating a significant number of job opportunities.
• Competitive salaries: Depending on your experience level, you can expect to earn a good salary. Beginners can expect to earn around Rs. 2-3 LPA, while experienced professionals can earn Rs. 5-10 LPA.
• Work with top companies: Many well-known companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, hire graphic designers, offering the chance to collaborate on exciting projects.
• Freelancing opportunities: If you enjoy flexibility and being your own boss, you can earn extra income by taking on freelance graphic design work.
• Continuous learning: The field of graphic design is constantly evolving, so you’ll always have the opportunity to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest industry standard software.

Also read: What is Graphic Designing | Career in Graphic Designing

Required Qualification needed for a career in Graphic designing

• No specific educational requirement is mandatory: Individuals with a high school diploma (10+2) in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) can pursue graphic design courses and enter the field.
• Certification courses: These are popular options for beginners to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to launch their careers. They can also demonstrate a commitment to professional standards and continuous learning, potentially increasing job opportunities.
• Entry-level positions: Individuals with no prior experience or certification may start in junior, internship, or apprenticeship roles before transitioning to graphic designer positions.
• Bachelor’s degree: While not mandatory, a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field is generally preferred for both entry-level and advanced graphic design positions. This can give candidates an edge in the job market.

What is Salary prospect for Graphic designer?

In India, graphic designers can expect to make anywhere from 1.1 lakhs to 6.5 lakhs rupees annually, with the average being around 3 lakhs. While creativity is definitely a key part of success in this field, getting a certification can open doors to better jobs and potentially boost your earning power in the long run.

8 ways to make money as a graphic designer

These are the following 8 ways to make money as a graphic designer:

1. Fiverr

Fiverr connects freelancers (designers in your example) with businesses or individuals needing design work. Freelancers offer their services through project descriptions called “Gigs.” Employers browse these Gigs, hire freelancers, and Fiverr takes a commission from each completed project.

2. Upwork

Upwork, like Fiverr, connects graphic designers with clients for freelance projects. However, Upwork caters to bigger jobs. Here, designers typically tackle more complex and lengthy projects compared to Fiverr’s offerings. Upwork also functions differently. Instead of pre-priced packages, designers compete for projects through a bidding system, allowing clients to choose the freelancer that best suits their needs and budget.

3. 99Designs

While there are many that connect clients with freelancers, 99designs focuses exclusively on design needs. This means you’ll find a pool of talented graphic designers, as opposed to a broader range of freelancers like virtual assistants or copywriters.

Two ways to find your perfect design:

• Direct commissions: Build your designer profile on 99designs and clients can reach out to you for specific projects. This allows for a collaborative approach from the start.
• Design contests: Clients can post a design brief outlining their needs. You, along with other designers, can then submit concepts (spec work) based on the brief. The client chooses their favorite design and works with the designer to refine it into the final product.
• Print on Demand services

4. Print on Demand services

Print-on-demand services let you upload your artwork and sell it on a variety of items. Popular platforms like Redbubble, Society6, and Zazzle handle printing, fulfillment, and customer service. This means you can offer custom shirts, mugs, tote bags, tapestries, and more – all without managing inventory or orders yourself. Simply upload your designs and get paid through the platform.

5. Templates

Graphic designers can also turn their skills into passive income by creating customizable logo templates. These templates offer pre-designed elements like icons, graphics, and fonts that buyers can easily personalize with their brand name and other details.  Logo templates can be sold directly on your website or through online marketplaces like Etsy.

6. Printables

Printable art is exactly what it sounds like – beautiful artwork designed to be printed at home or by a print service. This allows you to transform your creativity into a variety of products, like wall art, stickers, and illustrations.

7. Collaboration

No matter if you’re just starting out or a seasoned creative, building a network of fellow artists is an incredible investment. From writers and illustrators to animators and graphic designers, there’s a vibrant community waiting to connect. Dive into online and offline events, social media groups, or workshops – anywhere creative minds gather.

This network unlocks a treasure trove of opportunities:

• Client connections: Get the inside scoop on exciting projects through referrals.
• Dream collaborations: Team up with complementary talents to bring unique ideas to life.
• Skill-sharing magic: Learn from each other and barter services to boost your creative toolkit.
• Open doors: Get introductions to potential employers, clients, and future endeavors you wouldn’t have found on your own.

8.Monetized content

Instead of focusing directly on selling your designs, this approach lets you build a following as a designer by creating valuable content. This content can then be monetized in a variety of ways, such as:

• Ad revenue: Companies pay to have their ads displayed alongside your content.
• Premium subscriptions: Offer exclusive content and benefits to subscribers who pay a monthly or yearly fee.
• Affiliate marketing: Earn commissions by promoting relevant products and services to your audience.
• Sponsorships: Partner with brands to create sponsored content or promote their products in exchange for payment.

Conclusion

The world of graphic design is full of opportunity! With your creative skills and the right approach, you can turn your passion into a profitable career. Whether you crave freelance flexibility or the stability of an agency role, there’s a path out there for you. So pick the methods that spark your interest, refine your skills, and get ready to showcase your talents to the world!

You can do the diploma course in graphic designing from our DOTNET Institute, we provide both online and offline courses at affordable prices. This diploma course has 12 Modules with a duration of 6 months.

Also, check:

FAQS