How I Started My Graphic Design Side Hustle

If you’re looking for graphic design jobs or want to work remotely and start something new, I’ve got all the details for you in this post.

I’ve been in graphic design for several years and have recently taken it more seriously. I work two part-time graphic design jobs now, and I actually enjoy it. I make around $2,000 a month with graphic design work.

Jobs in graphic design have a vast pay range, but I find the $30-$45 an hour area the average pay.

How to get experience in graphic design

If you have zero experience in graphic design, no worries. I didn’t get any fancy degree in graphic design yet I’m continually getting contract and part-time work in graphic design.

The key is to start playing around with design tools like Canva and if possible, Adobe. I have zero knowledge of Adobe and I’m still getting graphic design jobs, so don’t stress too much about that.

Here are my best tips to get experience in graphic design:

Create personal projects or designs for friends and family (bonus points if they have a business and let you do some experimental work for them)
Work on a variety of designs and styles to expand your portfolio and show your diversity of skills
Volunteer for nonprofits that need graphic design help at VolunteerMatch which you can add to your resume
Start working on small, low-paying contract jobs on Upwork

How I started my graphic design side hustle

I started working in graphic design by helping out friends and family members with small projects using Canva. Canva has a ton of templates to help you get started. These templates helped me figure out how to put different styles and fonts together and build from there. I started realizing I really enjoyed creating graphics so I kept going, learning graphic design on YouTube. I learned about color theory, design principles, and layout techniques. I slowly grew my confidence and kept getting better.

Even though I didn’t necessarily feel ready, I started networking and reaching out to my friends and family to see if they knew anyone needing design services. I also created an Upwork account, where I started getting contract work. Using Upwork for contract jobs allowed me to get reviews and grow my portfolio.

How to find graphic design jobs

1. Upwork

Upwork is one of the best spots to find graphic design jobs. These jobs are remote, often with a flexible schedule. To find a job on Upwork, create a profile to show off your skills. Your profile should include the following:

Professional photo
Headline that shows your job position or showcases your skills
Well-written bio that highlights your expertise

It’s also highly recommended that you add a portfolio with several examples of your work. My profile includes sections like Instagram creatives, email campaign creatives, ebooks I’ve made, etc. You can also share specific examples of work you do, such as logo design, branding, website graphics, etc.

Once you’ve created your Upwork profile, it’s time to search for jobs. Use keywords like “graphic design” or “marketing” or social media manager in your job search. You can even narrow down jobs by filtering experience level, pay, client location, etc. When applying for jobs, create a conversational proposal that highlights why the company should choose you for the job.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is different than Upwork because instead of searching through job postings, you post your services on Fiverr. So if you’re a logo designer or web designer, you’d create a listing of yourself. Your listing should include your best work to attract potential buyers. You can check out other people’s profiles to get an idea of what works and what to include.

When you do land jobs, make sure to provide excellent customer service, as this will earn you positive reviews, which can boost your credibility and help you land future jobs.

3. Freelancer

Freelancer is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers. Employers post projects or job listings they’re hiring for which can include graphic design, writing, and marketing. Freelancers then bid on these projects by submitting proposals and the employer picks their best fit for the job.

To find jobs on Freelancer, create a detailed profile showing off your design skills and portfolio. Be clear on your profile about what services you offer, such as graphic design, and knowledge of graphic design tools like Canva or Adobe.

You can also use Freelancer’s search tool to find graphic design jobs by entering keywords like graphic design and marketing. You can also filter job postings by skill level, budget, and project type.

4. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is an online platform that lists part-time, freelance, and flexible job opportunities. Unlike other job boards, FlexJobs screens 100% of their job listings to ensure the jobs are legitimate and scam-free. This is a big deal, as 34% of job listings are reported as fake or scams. It’s not like finding a job wasn’t hard enough as is.

FlexJobs shows listings for a variety of industries, including graphic design, writing, marketing, and other online work. FlexJobs does require a subscription since they vet every job listing, but the service is very affordable IMO.

FlexJobs costs $2.95 for 1 week or $5.95 a month. If you don’t successfully find a job, you can get a refund, no questions asked.

To find jobs on FlexJobs, use the search feature with keywords like graphic design or marketing.

5. Social media

You can also find graphic design jobs using social media on platforms like LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, update your profile to showcase your graphic design skills. Have a clear headline showing off your position or skills, along with a professional bio and portfolio.

Engage with design communities on LinkedIn and actively search for job postings in groups or company pages. You can also use hashtags like “graphicdesignjobs or “hiring” to find job postings.

6. Cold emailing

Do you see companies in your local area or online that are struggling? Or maybe they’re just not using the full potential of online marketing. If so, this is where your graphic design skills come to use. Identify potential clients who need design services by reaching out to local companies, startups, or agencies that could benefit from your work.

In your cold email, keep it conversational and professional. Introduce yourself and share why the company can benefit from your design services. Include a link to your portfolio, references, and anything else you think might be helpful. End the email with a call to action, like setting up a free consultation call. Follow up after a week if there’s been no response.

7. Referrals

You can also find graphic design jobs by leveraging your existing network. Reach out to friends, family, and former coworkers to let them know you’re looking for graphic design opportunities. This is why it’s important to maintain positive, strong relationships with past colleagues.

Encourage past clients to refer you to others and provide testimonials that can be shared with future clients.

Graphic design tools to master

When applying for graphic design jobs, you’ll commonly see these tools and software they’re looking for:

Canva
Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Illustrator

Canva is much easier to use in my opinion but doesn’t have the capabilities Adobe has. However, if you’re just getting started, Canva is a great software to play around with (and there’s a free version).

Canva even has a Design School which is a big bonus where you can learn so much, including:

Creating a logo
Social media mastery tips
Branding business tools
Print advertising
Graphic design basics
Typography and design

Build your portfolio

One of the key things you need to do if you desire a graphic design job is to build a strong portfolio. Your portfolio should include your best work, including logos, social media creatives, website designs, etc. You should also talk about any courses you’ve taken, certifications, or degrees you have in graphic design.

Your portfolio should also include:

Bio that highlights your design experience
Client testimonials
Contact information
Resume
Portfolio website (if you have one)

Common questions

How much do graphic design jobs pay?

The pay range for graphic design jobs varies, but it’s normal to start at $25/an hour and go up to $75+/hour once you’re super experienced and knowledgeable about different graphic design software.

In the U.S., the median annual salary for a graphic designer is between $55,000-$65,000, while

Can I do this if I’ve never done anything in graphic design?

Yes. To get a job in graphic design with no experience, it’s important to get familiar with design tools like Canva or Adobe. The more design tools you know the better your chances of getting jobs, but this also takes more time. Learning software like Adobe can take up to a year to master since there are so many design components.

What keywords should I use when searching for graphic design jobs?

Here’s a list of common graphic design position titles:

Graphic Designer
Visual Designer
Creative Director
Marketing Designer
Freelance Graphic Designer
Marketing Assistant

Conclusion

Getting a job in graphic design is totally possible if this is something you want to do. I plan on making many more posts about this, as this is something I’ve been doing for a while. Stay tuned!