Graphic Design?

Question

I'm going away to College to study in Graphic design
then plan on starting my own business
figured i would make more money then working for someone

was wondering is it really hard to start off.?

i plan on doing Web design, Graphic Design, Photography

all at a professional level.

wondering if anyone knows from personal experience.


(DONT answer if you have no clue what you're talking about)

Answer 1

It can be VERY difficult at first, the important thing is really to network, advertise wherever you can, and get your name out there. I'm just starting out myself, and after 2 weeks I've had only one client so far. But I am working on the networking & promotion, so hopefully things will pick up. My mother was a freelance graphic designer for a big chunk of my life, so she was always home, but she got alot of work and made a very good living doing it. My father also had his own business for a long time, also making a very good living. Really promotion is the only hard part - once you've got that, you can be making a very good living. Make sure you have some money in your savings for the slumps, however. The downside to doing work for yourself is that the work is NOT steady, there are busy times & there are slow times, and you need to be prepared with money in the bank for times when you're not getting alot of work.

I do recommend you buy "Pricing and Ethical Guidelines" when you get started, it will be your BIBLE if you're going into Graphic Design business for yourself. You can find it on amazon pretty easily.

Answer 2

It is VERY hard to start off on your own. I always advise people that it is best to start in the business, If they can, in someone else's studio.

You can't run a graphics design business unless you know how to run a business. I'm on my fourth attempt to make a go of it. In my first try, I found that I had to spend two thirds of my time in non art related work, what with paperwork, mailing, accounting and taxes. Not even counting SALES, which is still where a big chunk of my time goes.

Do you know how to write up an invoice? How to write a contract? How to protect your copyrights? How to file your taxes? (don't ignore this one. If your clients count the expense of your work as a deduction, the tax collectors KNOW you are collecting money from them) Do you know how to dun you late paying clients? Organize your drawings and files? Track your income and expenses? Do you know, exactly which expenses are tax deductible? What permits and licenses are required in your locality?

"Lauren P" is worried about the first two weeks of her business. Try thinking about the first two YEARS. Most small business take that long just to see their first, real profits.

By learning how another business does it, you can apply what you learn to your business.