How to Become A Freelance Graphic Designer

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By Amy Laine
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Become A Freelance Graphic Designer

Freelancing as a graphic designer can be a challenge when just starting in the market, but with a little hard work it can be profitable. Learn a few steps to get started in becoming a freelance graphic designer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer.
Basic Graphic Design skills.
Photo shop software.
Business cards.

Step 1

Research different styles of graphic design. Find your niche in the market before investing in equipment and software. Most graphic designer can do most their work from the soft ware program Photo shop, but some more complicated designs may require other software.
Step 2

Define your skills in your design niche. If you do not feel you have strong qualities you may want to take time to learn the techniques before starting to find work. The best way to new work is through pleased clients. Allgraphicdesign.com is a website with many resources and temples to learn different styles of graphic design.
Step 3

Create a design portfolio. If you have not done previous work for hire it is time to create a few projects. You could just create any cool looking design and call it good, but prospective clients like to see that you have worked with others. This may be the best time to talk to friends, relatives, stores you are customers of, and neighbors that own business to create a few designs for them. Most of the time this is done on your own time and no charge is given. However, you do not have to print out the design you can send it to them via the internet. If they would like it to be printed, you just got your first customer. If not you will still get work for your portfolio and good references.
Step 4

Before advertising your new business get a good idea on how you are going to quote new jobs. You may want to call other small business' in your niche to get a starting of point.
Step 5

Start advertising services in various methods. This can be done by creating a web page or a blog, buying ad space in publications, get a listing in the phone book, contacting business' personally, or write press releases. Be creative and starting of with free or low cost ways to advertise, and increasing the budget as profits for the new business increases.

Comments

wstewart79 said

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on 12/18/2008 I've added this to my list of favorites!

sanimani said

on 12/7/2008 Step one should be... GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A DEGREE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN FROM A FOUR YEAR SCHOOL. Regarding your step two, you shouldn't need to do research to know what programs you will need for graphic design -- you should already know this from EARNING YOUR DEGREE at your FOUR YEAR SCHOOL. I mean really... what kind of 'graphic designer' only uses Photoshop... give me a break.