Table of Contents
Can You Be An Illustrator Without A Degree?
Going freelance is all the rage in 2021, but it’s much better said than achieved. Working as a freelance illustrator provides many artists with the artistic independence they need. At the same time, it entails a number of commitments that can cause young independent artists to pause. If you’re curious how to become a freelance illustrator, we’re here to help you get started. Going freelance is a difficult task, but if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your path to success.
Will you work as an illustrator if you don’t have any qualifications?
The short response is yes! You will work as a freelance illustrator without a degree in illustration. Many artists in the business are not illustration professionals, and most customers would assess you based on the consistency of the work in your portfolio, not on the degree or diploma you might or may not have on paper.
Investigate the job’s depth.
The first step toward achievement, as in every career, is to realise what the work involves.
Although illustration will seem to be a simple task, you should be mindful of the various positions available in this sector. You can become a professional graphic designer from home without stressing much on your pockets. We, at Blue Sky Graphics online graphic design course will help you learn graphic design in a one-to-one setting online!
Unless you have a good reputation in a certain industry, you would most likely be doing a variety of activities (e.g. running an Etsy shop while also accepting commissions). If you’re a freelancer, this isn’t unusual; since you won’t always have consistent jobs in any particular section, one stream of income will substitute for another if necessary.
Create a solid portfolio.
Now that you’ve got a general understanding of the freelance illustration industry, let’s get down to business and create a noteworthy portfolio.
It goes without saying that having a polished, user-friendly website that showcases your previous endeavours and expertise is essential for gaining the respect and confidence of prospective clients. This entails obtaining your own domain name and potentially even an email address associated with the domain name. WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace both have reasonably priced plans that enable you to conveniently set this up.
Before you start freelancing full-time, save up!
We’ve already noted that freelance work may be intermittent at best and non-existent at worst. What you should also be aware of is that compensation will differ greatly.
When you first start out as a full-time professional illustrator, you won’t have the privilege of a steady stream of profits. This is why you should have enough savings to last at least six months without earning any extra money. If you do not want to move into freelancing full-time, prepare to balance your time well and juggle another day job on top of your side illustration gigs.
Collaboration through government departments
Most artists are employed by agencies. The firms work on large and small ventures for various businesses, some of which may not have their own designers on board. Since each project is for a particular business, designers employed here would need to function in a very fast-paced and flexible setting. The advantage is that ideas never get old or dull, and you’ll get to work in a variety of industries. It’s eye-opening to see how often various businesses utilise graphic design in their everyday operations.
Working as a self-employed person
The freelance graphic designer is a natural extension of the department. Yes, you get to choose your own hours as well as the programmes and markets that concern you the most. However, do not neglect the amount of effort that goes into starting your own company. In certain agencies, employees are assigned positions when they arrive. As a freelancer, it is your responsibility to find jobs, promote yourself (and your business), and close the deal. Freelancers are constantly dealing with other freelancers as well as other agencies, all of whom may sell at cheaper price points.
Freelancing is normally best done when you’ve worked for a couple years for other businesses. It’s far easier to get into the field of freelance graphic design with a solid resume to draw on and experience designing meaningful real-world ventures.
Of necessity, starting out as a freelancer is not difficult. Freelancing can make a lot of sense if you already have a strong portfolio or if you have a specific and in-demand skill set.
Make a Website for Your Design Portfolio
You must build a digital design portfolio page as an aspiring graphic designer to highlight your job and profile. Your online portfolio is important for attracting and impressing prospective employees, customers, or collaborators. Websites for concept portfolios could do more than just showcase your work. You must also think beyond the box, discover your artistic genius, find your voice, and show your work in the best possible light. We previously published a concept portfolio guide with examples, which is a must-read for those considering a career in graphic design.
Portfolio Website Designer
Be certain that the portfolio website designer you choose has the accessibility, features, and ease-of-use you need to create a skilled website without the need for coding skills. That’s where a little fashion motivation comes in handy.
Also architecture students must showcase their work digitally via a well-designed portfolio platform. Your student portfolio platform will assist you in applying for higher education, internships, and careers, as well as launching your design career. If your professional career progresses, the task of your design portfolio website in assisting you in gaining new clients becomes increasingly significant. It serves as the portal to the rest of the planet and the first point of contact for you and the majority of prospective customers. As a result, it’s critical that your concept portfolio platform complements and simply showcases your work without being intrusive.
