How to become a Freelance Graphic or Website Designer
The birth of the Internet has definitely changed the landscape of communications people enjoy today. Aside from providing a seemingly limitless source of information, the Internet has also opened up a lot of opportunities to people and businesses as well.
One of the most lucrative fields where freelancing is widely popular is graphic design. Today, more and more designers are getting into freelance because they can have the artistic freedom they have been longing for.
The most popular set of designers are graphic designers. These are entrepreneurs that have independent spirit combined with a sense of adventure. Having their own bold vision of success, graphic designers now venture to freelancing so they will have the artistic independence they want. Despite having to working extended hours, more and more designers are into doing freelance work because this means that they can have more assignments and projects and they have more chances of earning money in the process.
Graphic designers are those people who are known to generate and create visual presentation and design of various goods that include websites, album covers, soap boxes, and even cat food cans. The works of these people are usually done on a project basis so they are known to work under extreme time constraints in order to produce quality material or output.
To be able to be a successful graphic designer, you will need Adobe Photoshop 5.5 with Image Ready 2.0 so you will get the most out of the photos you will use. This version is one of the latest from Adobe because it offers premier image-editing solution that is perfect for print and for the Web as well.
Aside from this, you will also need Illustrator 9.0 so you could transform your creativity and ideas into impressive graphics for that you could use in print, on the Web, and in dynamic digital media as well. Lastly, you will also need QuarkXPress, one of the leaders in desktop publishing or In Design 1.5 in order to achieve professional publishing results with such creative flair, freedom, productivity enhancements as well as precision.
Indeed, being a freelance designer means that you possess great visual communication skills in order to convey a specific messageeither an idea or conceptto a defined group of people using print or visual media. As the profession of graphic designing evolved through computers and digital technology, the growth of demand for the field also increased.
But before you finally decide to become a freelance graphic designer, you must know first who your targeted market is. If you are planning to go freelance, your market will definitely include design agencies. Aside from that, your potential clients might include companies that have upcoming campaign or projects. Here are some tips you can do to strengthen your freelance stint as a freelance designer:
1. Strengthen your network. You can do this by attending design conferences and interacting with other freelance designers, exhibitors, guest speakers, and the like. You can also strengthen your network by going local clubs, art-house cinemas, galleries, and café bars so you could meet local freelance designers as well.
2. Build your portfolio. Since this serves as you calling card, make sure that you build a reputable portfolio for your clients to see.
3. Create your own branding. If you are out in a freelance venture as a designer, you should be able to create your own branding just like in any business so you will earn a distinct reputation in the specific field.
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