Technology has made freelancing more feasible for most people with a laptop and Internet connection. Nowadays, you can do a lot of side jobs for more income, such as working as a virtual assistant or doing web programming. You can even start making more money just by answering surveys and watching ads.

Graphic designing is a popular role for freelancers since all you need is an eye for beauty and knowledge on how to use the tools to execute you and your client’s vision. If you have the skills to create beautiful images and layouts, then you should seriously consider working online as a freelance designer.

Here are its benefits:

1. Flexibility of Schedule and Location

The primary benefit of working online as a freelancer is that you get to choose your schedule and the place where you want to make art. As a creative person, there are times when you struggle to get inspiration within the confines of your desk. Working a 9-to-5 job in an office with your boss hovering over your shoulder will not only put a damper on your mood, but it can also hamper your productivity.

With freelancing, you can just pick up your laptop and head on out. You can work at a coffee shop, the public library, or even at the park to find that ever-elusive artistic spark.

2. Freedom to Choose Clients

As a freelancer, you have the final say on the projects that you want to work on as well as the clients you are comfortable working with. For instance, if you are apprehensive about designs that involve nudity or NSFW stuff, then you can politely decline offers for this type of job. You don’t have to force yourself to look at images you don’t like just because your boss delegated the task to you.

Freelancing also allows you to expand your professional network as far as the other side of the globe. Clients can view your portfolio online and hire you for their project even when they’re in a different time zone.

3. Full Control of Your Income

Having the freedom to choose the design jobs that you’ll take on also has a direct correlation on your income. You can expect higher pay at the end of the month or week if you get more clients. However, you should ensure that you can deliver the outputs on or before the agreed deadline to uphold professionalism even while you’re juggling two or more projects.

4. Foster Your Creativity

Freelancing offers you a chance to hone your craft as well as experiment with other fields to become a better graphic designer. You may have started by working on corporate design and creating logos and other promotional artwork for brands and organizations. Nonetheless, you have the option to try your hand at web design or interfaces, which deal with the layout of mobile apps, appliances, and other gadgets.

The other areas of graphic design are:

  • Publishing – This field involves creating covers and layouts for books, magazines, and other publications, whether printed or digital.
  • Product Design – With this, you combine visual elements together to be placed on stickers for toys or packaging for commercial goods.
  • Video Game Art – If you’re an artist who’s into video games, this field merges two of your passions. You get to develop the look of characters and backgrounds.
  • Communication Design – It’s a mixed discipline that involves writing, animation, and information architecture, aside from graphic design. You’ll be producing infographics, presentations, and brochures in this area.

5. Focus on Growth

Since you aren’t stuck in an office doing the same thing every day, you have more room for personal growth. Having full control of your time, income, and client list can make you healthier overall by giving you time to work the things that you have and want to do.

You can give time to working out and staying in tip-top shape or learn how to play a new instrument. Moreover, you can enroll in online courses to equip yourself with more skills like copywriting, which can lead to more freelancing opportunities in the future.

Conclusion

Being a freelance graphic designer allows you to gain control over your career. You get to choose your schedule and place of work as well as the projects you’ll accept. With this, you know how much you will be earning for a specified period. Plus, you get to master one field while expanding your reach to other areas of graphic design to boost your marketability and grow as an artist.

About the Author

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Mirko Humbert

Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.