Freelance graphic designers are independent contractors who create visual content for companies of all sizes. They may also provide web development services such as website creation, logo designs, and social media marketing. It is a highly skilled profession that requires creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills. It makes me wonder how much can a freelance graphic designer make?
The average salary for a freelance graphic designer is $55,000 per year. This figure includes the average hourly rate of $20. However, some graphic designers make over $100,000 annually.
The good news is that it’s possible to earn this kind of money if you work hard and have good experience in your field. It takes time and effort to build up a portfolio of work and gain big clients. But once you do, you can start making more than $50,000 every year.
You need to know many things about graphic design freelance before beginning your career. And In this article, we will discuss what it means to be a freelance graphic designer, tips on finding jobs as a freelance graphic designer, and how to set yourself apart from other candidates when applying for freelance graphic design jobs.
Read on to learn more about freelance graphic designer salaries!
Table of Contents
What Is Freelance Graphic Designing?
Freelance graphic designing creates graphics (such as logos, web pages, business cards, posters, etc.) for companies or individuals. Freelance graphic designers usually work independently and receive assignments from employers. Some freelance graphic designers work full-time, while others choose to work part-time.
And when it comes to the charges, A freelancer must have the ability to work independently, manage multiple projects at once, and possess strong communication skills. In addition, they should be proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other graphic design software and apps.
Graphic design is an ever-changing field with new trends constantly emerging. For that reason, most freelancers specialize in one particular area, such as branding, packaging, advertising, or web design.
So If you’re starting as a freelance graphic designer, you can expect to earn anywhere from $10 to $20 an hour. As you gain experience and build up your portfolio, you can start charging more.
If you want to become a successful freelance graphic designer, you need to learn about the different types of jobs available. You must understand what kind of projects will bring in the most money. You should also know how to market yourself effectively so that potential clients will contact you.
Do Freelance Graphic Designers Make Good Money?
Yes! According to PayScale, the median annual pay for a freelance graphic designer was $55,000 in 2020. This number represents the amount an individual would typically earn after taxes. People who earned less than $30,000 were most likely self-employed on the lower end. Meanwhile, those earning more than $80,000 were employed by large corporations.
It shows that freelance graphic designers can earn anywhere between $30,000 and $150,000 depending on where they live, their level of education, skill sets, and experience.
There are excellent projects in freelance graphic design posted on multiple freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour. These sites offer hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of projects each month. To access these projects, you need a combination of graphic design ability, knowing how to promote your own experience via a portfolio, and selling yourself to get the project. You need to have great communication skills and strong writing skills as well.
So to sum it up, The average freelance graphic designer makes $50-$75 per hour depending on experience level, Skills, Client type, and location. And top earners earn about $100,000 per year. It is true, especially if they have excellent graphic design skills and experience working with all types of designs. It is also true if they work with clients who understand their needs. And the best way to find these types of clients is through networking and word-of-mouth recommendations.
And to stand out as a Freelancer Graphic Designer, Here are some skills that would help to achieve that:
- Creative thinking: Creative thinking helps you develop new ideas for different designs. You may not always think of creative solutions, but you can use them to create something unique when you do.
- Critical Thinking: Critical thinking allows you to analyze information and determine if it’s accurate or not.
- Problem Solving: Problem-solving requires you to think creatively to solve problems. It’s important to understand the problem at hand to develop a solution. Communication
- Communication & Negotiation Skills: Effective communication skills allow you to express your thoughts clearly.
- Ability to multitask: You’ll be expected to multitask when working as a freelance graphic designer. It means that you should be able to handle several tasks simultaneously without losing focus.
- Strong attention to detail: Attention to detail is very important when designing graphics. You need to ensure that all design elements are perfect and fit together.
- Self-motivation: Self-motivation is required to complete assignments quickly and efficiently. You need to know what needs to be done and then go ahead and do it.
- Flexibility: Flexibility is another key factor in becoming a successful freelancer. As a freelance graphic designer, there will be times when you won’t be available to work on certain projects. You need to be able to adapt to these situations.
How Much Should I Charge as A Freelance Graphic Designer?
The amount you charge depends on how much experience you have, what kind of work you do, and how much competition there is for your particular skill set.
And the average hourly rate for freelance graphic designers varies from person to person. Some charge higher rates while others charge lower ones. However, the average rate is around $25 per hour. But still, it depends on many factors such as:
- Type of client: Clients who want high-end custom-designed products generally pay higher rates than clients who only require simple logos.
- The quality of the project: The more complex the project, the higher the cost.
- The complexity of the design: Complex designs take longer to produce and therefore cost more.
- Your location: Pricing tends to vary depending on where you live. For example, an expert graphic designer living in New York City will probably charge more than someone based in another city.
- Time spent on the project: More hours mean a higher price tag. It would help to consider whether you’re charging by the hour or the project. Hourly pricing is usually better because it gives you flexibility and adjusts the price according to your availability. On the other hand, fixed prices make it easier to estimate costs.
- The experience level of the designer: Experienced designers tend to command higher fees than those with less experience.
- The number of revisions made by the client: The more revisions a client has, the higher the fee.
- The size of the project: Smaller jobs typically have lower prices than larger ones.
- Portfolio size and quality: are key factors in getting hired: The more projects you’ve completed, the higher your chances.
However, If you want to charge more than the average rate for freelance graphic designers, you’ll need to provide additional value. For example, you could offer freebies or discounts to attract new customers. Alternatively, you can ask potential clients if they would like to hire you at a discounted rate.
And always remember that you don’t always have to charge exactly what someone else charges. You can decide whether or not your price is reasonable based on your own experience and skills.
Is It Hard to Be a Freelance Graphic Designer?
Being a freelance graphic designer can be hard work. A freelance graphic designer career takes time to develop, And you can’t expect to be successful right away since Freelance graphic designers face many challenges and rewards. They’re independent but still need to meet deadlines, manage their time, and stay organized. And at the same time, they must learn how to market themselves online and offline. And they must juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Besides that, Freelancing requires a lot of different skills. You must be good at business and customer service. You also must be skilled at design. But most importantly, you must be willing to learn and be motivated to do so.
And to start a career as a freelance graphic designer, you need to be creative and have an eye for detail. You also need to know how to work with clients and communicate effectively. Or it would help if you chose to go to school to learn about graphic design, or perhaps you decide to take some Udemy graphic design courses. Either way, there are many ways to succeed as a freelance graphic designer.
- Gaining Experience
Before starting your own graphic design business, make sure you know how to use Photoshop and Illustrator. And similar graphic design software and apps, Also, You should also be familiar with other software such as InDesign, Fireworks, etc. Moreover, make sure you understand typography, layout, composition, and UI/UX. Finally, you need to know about different media types (print, web, mobile).
- Self-Teaching
There’s no shortage of practical graphic design courses. Popular graphic design programs, such as Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, are fairly straightforward. Still, they’re fun to explore and easy to use. An affordable way to experiment with graphics is to start with one program before investing in a bigger Working design package or a career path.
- Build Your Brand
Graphic designers should be aware of their style. Their brands should match their clients’ needs. So if you want to position yourself as a graphic designer, you should figure out which types of projects and clients you’d like to work with. For example, A designer who gravitates towards delicate, romantic imagery might look for wedding photography companies. At the same time, a minimalist designer might look for brands that have an artistic feel to them. An artist who gravitates towards bright, colorful designs might look into bold and vibrant brands.
Also, know who you are as an artist. You need to know what kind of art you want to make. Understand the type of work you want to create and how you want to show it off to others, and you’ll be on your way to building your career.
- Build Your Portfolio
A portfolio project should have a purpose. You need to make sure that you create something that shows your skills and abilities. Your portfolio should include different types of projects. Think about what type of projects you want to create. For example, if you want to create a website for yourself, then think about how you can use this site to showcase your skills. Make sure that you present a variety of projects. It will help you stand out among other designers.
- Reach Out to Potential Clients
If you want to build a client base, you need to reach out to potential clients. Start by networking at local events and online forums. If you don’t have any contacts, try using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. You can also post ads on Craigslist.
- Build a strong network:
Building a strong professional network is important for starting as a freelance graphic artist. Networking allows you to connect with other professionals who can help you grow your business. Build a strong professional network. Networking allows you to connect with other professionals who help you grow your business.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a freelance graphic designer isn’t as difficult as many people think. However, it would help if you put in the necessary time and effort to succeed. And If you’re starting, you’ll need to build up a brand out of yourself before you can start charging high rates. Also, it would help if you also were prepared to put in long hours on projects. Anyways, It’s important to find a balance between working hard and taking time off and enjoying your life.
All in all, becoming a freelance graphic designer is an exciting opportunity. Remember to keep in mind that the success of your freelance career depends on how well you market yourself.
