In the digital era, it must be great for you to start a new journey as a graphic design freelancer. However, amidst rivalry, you must consider a particular aspect to start. So, how to be a freelance graphic designer and attract clients?
You are in the right place! This article provides credible tips on how to be a successful freelancer in graphic design. Scroll down and get prepared for a new experience!
Key takeaways:
Get your seat and start to learn how to gain success as a freelance graphic designer.
First thing to do is to learn about the basic principles of graphic design to determine the design value aesthetically and functionally. To enhance your knowledge, you can take a course and read some design books to expand your preferences. Then, you can practice the knowledge by finding inspiration from artists.
Practically, here are design principles.
Also Read: How to Make Money as a Graphic Designer: 22 Creative Ways
Next, apply the design principles to a new design created using software. How to be a freelance graphic designer is to operate design software, such as Canva, Adobe Express, and CorelDRAW.
As a beginner, Canva would be the easiest for practicing your design skills. If you find a cost-effective software to reduce your early expenses, Adobe Express is great for you. Also, if you want to challenge yourself to create vectors and illustrations, you can use CorelDRAW.
You can apply for a niche in graphic design to create engaging and authentic design results. There are several design niches you can examine based on your skill set.
Tips on how to be a freelance graphic designer with a bunch of projects is researching and analyzing the current design market to discover which niche is worth it.
After acknowledging the market demand, you can develop your service branding by examining the target market. Determine whether your service could be suitable for business, educational, or creative design.
Moreover, consider being original by presenting your tone, color, and typography to communicate with the audience. It could be the best way to gain credibility for your service.
To motivate you on how to be a freelance graphic designer, inquire about the number of clients you would work with. It could affect the revenue goals as well. According current study by Fact.MR, the average graphic designer’s revenue was over $40 billion last year.
Moreover, the forecast report predicts it will increase to $83 billion in 2034. After the report, you can consider the revenue goal by determining S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound).
Also Read: Exploring Environmental Typography Graphic Design
Showcase your best work by highlighting your niche and specialty. You can build a portfolio online, such as on a website and social media, especially Instagram and LinkedIn, to effortlessly reach your target audience.
Portfolio also represents your service as it is the way on how to freelance graphic design. Include logo, typography, and color to elevate brand credibility.
To manage workflow streamlining, you have to create a clear system, including the rate, payment system, and contract. As a freelancer, you may receive an average rate starting from $20 per hour, and it could be increased depending on your service value.
You can discuss your rate deal with the client through a business contract. Be clear about it to elevate your rate if there is an extra request or revision. Provide a payment system in the contract, whether to transfer the fee to PayPal, Stripe, Wave, or a direct bank transfer.
How to be a freelance graphic designer is to secure the number of projects you can handle. Deep dive into freelance graphic design platforms, such as Behance, Dribbble, 99Designs, Upwork, and Fiverr. You can also join the community within the platform to get feedback and improve your skills regularly and elevate your value.
Also Read: Unveil the Good and Bad Typography in Graphic Design
Start to market your skill set and service within the community on a freelance graphic design platform. Social media also becomes a great option to introduce your service to potential clients by regularly updating your work. If you use a website portfolio, improve the SEO performance to make your portfolio visible.
Even though you are going to be a solo player as an independent freelancer, a business stack is still necessary. Consider graphic design software that is suitable for your expertise, cost, and beginner-friendly to put you at ease.
Then, save the projects into cloud storage along with the typography in case it can be used for multiple projects next time. To ensure everything is stored, streamline the project workflow with Notion or Trello.
Also Read: Visual Optimization: How to Improve Typography Skills?
With individual average rate and market revenue, becoming a freelance graphic designer is an excellent choice to start a new job. Regularly upgrading your skill set and considering your budget to start everything are essential aspects of how to be a freelance graphic designer.
Ensure your portfolio looks engaging to trigger potential clients’ trust in using your service. You can use fonts for a graphic designer portfolio to enhance the design value by highlighting the typography. Get the font bundle on MJB Letters with a Webfont License that allows you to use it for a website portfolio. Serve your best portfolio to engage potential clients by using fonts from MJB Letters!
