Freelance work is readily available online. So if you're all set to start your freelance career in graphic design, then here are a few sites you should have on your list:
DesignHill
This is a design marketplace that allows commercial dealings between a client and a creative professional. Basically, it's a site where you could either participate in online design contests or meet up with clients looking to hire graphic designers, illustrators or artists for 1 to 1 projects.
Artists can show their work on the Design Gallery page, under appropriate categories for easy access. Book cover design, poster design and PowerPoint design are all listed. Sticker design, menu design and business card design by Designhill creatives are also part of the services offered onsite.
There's a breadth of talent available here so competition is understandably high. But if you're set on making a mark and finding your way around the industry by learning as much as you can about the work, then there's no better place to learn at than sites like this. With feedback and rating systems in place, you won't just get a chance to strut your stuff, you will also get a chance to learn a lot.
Ask for tips, share pointers and basically build a community with fellow designers. That's another advantage for you—because having a supportive community matters and is often essential in your development as an artist and professional graphic designer.
Elance, Guru, Freelancer and Odesk
These are among the most famous sites for freelance work. They're good practice for first-timers. Open a free account and see which set-up works for you. Going with a pro-account, though, will cost you. There are rating systems too, which is a major plus. Clients often rate freelancers on a per project basis. So, the more stars you have, for instance, the more reliable and credible your onsite profile seems, and the more appealing to potential customers it is.
However, one downside is, with so many freelancers competing for a single project—global competition is high—rates are often low. However, these sites do provide a good starting point for an amateur freelancer. Joining them is one way to build up on your portfolio and client base.
Craigslist
Scouring the Craigslist pages is also a good and often effective way to find design work. It's also incredibly time-consuming, especially if you want to be thorough and check all the cities and states. That's only for U.S.-based employers. However, Craigslist still offers one of the easiest and fastest ways you could get in touch with clients.
Just make sure you check the job postings early in the day. Most of the good ones are gone by the afternoon so if you want a chance at the best ones, just dedicate your morning to the search. If you're lucky, you might even find long-term work with the right client in whatever position—whether as a work-from-home designer, full-time or part-time—that suits you.
Networking and Online Portfolios
Online portfolios like Portfoliopen and Jobrary are just two of the many online portfolio sites you could use to get your work out there. DeviantArt also works. You could also try making your own site using free website builders like Wix.
The point of all this is exposure, greater visibility, and online presence. Putting your work online ensures wider coverage and reach. It's a great and simple way to market your skills. Who knows? One of those page views might just lead to a client meeting or collaborative project in the future.
Update your sites constantly and make sure you leave potential clients with reliable ways to contact you. Social media presence as well as texts are good but if you can, try to have everything documented via email. It could get a bit messy switching from one social media channel to another. With email, you just have one dedicated place for all your work emails. It’s easier to manage it that way.
If you're uncomfortable with the idea of showing all your work online, then look for portfolios that offer selective privacy settings. This way, you could give a password to prospective clients when you invite them over to your page. It's a great way to protect your privacy, as well as your work, especially if you've already had a brush with plagiarizing followers and don't wish to find yourself in that position again.
Site Subscriptions
Go to freelance sites or sites about graphic design that regularly offer a list of web design positions compiled from different job sites. Sign up for their email subscriptions then wait for the emails to start coming in. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to start applying for jobs all because of regular job updates in your email.
These are just a few helpful resources you could keep an eye on as you go looking for work online. With so many sites available, it sure won't be long before you're hired as a full-time designer or a freelancer learning to manage a strong client base.
