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"Graphic Designer Business": How to Get Started

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Despite being overly popular and saturated, the graphic design industry is still thriving, if not growing bigger than ever. With every business going design-minded and the standard for graphic design in general rapidly increasing, there's always the need for a fresh graphic design business.

The key to this business nowadays is to stay up to date and to have a unique value to face the fierceness of the competition. Adding value such as printing service, digital strategy, and even SEO is common to the business, but, the core value of the quality and uniqueness of your designs will be your main strength or weakness.

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If you have the passion for graphic design, or currently studying in the field, here are a few things to help you stay ahead of the pack.

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1. Startup Cost
Provided you got a reliable computer and internet service; you can literally start with zero if you plan to start at home. Renting an office will vary with locations, and can be a significant cost. Graphic design software is also a necessary cost, and can cost you a few hundred Dollars in total.

2. Permit, Licenses, and Certification
Getting certified with a college degree or similar level can greatly impact your marketability. However, many successful graphic designers are self-taught with no certification whatsoever, so it's not an absolute factor. Consult your local authority whether you will need additional licenses or permits depending on your location.

3. Value Added Service
As mentioned before, adding additional value is a common practice in this industry, such as printing and packaging service, digital strategy, SEO, and many more. Research your current competition whether there's an opportunity you can exploit. Don't forget to calculate the necessary cost whether it will be profitable for your business.

4. Portfolio
Your portfolio will be the one that will make or break your business. Building a website that can showcase your portfolio (with the website itself being your portfolio) is a necessity. Many social media for designers are available, like Behance and DeviantArt, utilize it to showcase as well as networking with potential clients and other designers.

5. Joining an Established Agency
As much as being independent is tempting, working for an established design agency can be a great career on its own. Not to mention you can still be available for freelance projects and side jobs alongside a promising career. Graphic designers can move up to Art Director or Creative Director position, which will be a significant increase in earning as well as reputation.

Earning Potential

The U.S. national average salary for graphic designers is $44,000 a year. Being an independent graphic designer can net you more, but at the same time, it also exposes you to more risks with the fierceness of the industry's competition.

You can either expand to be a full-blown graphic designer agency or move up to the Art Director or Creative Director position in an established agency. The national average salary for creative directors is almost double that of a designer with $80,000 annually.

Creativity, quality, and how you market yourself will be the key to success in this industry.