Navigating Freelancing as a Visual Artist: Insights and Categories

Are you a visual artist, painter, or a professional 2D graphic designer looking to take your career to the next level through freelancing? This guide is designed to provide you with the necessary insights, advice, and guidance to help you find the right digital category and build a successful freelance business.

What Category Suits You Best?

Based on your skills and experience as a visual artist and 2D graphic designer, the category that may suit you best is visual design. Visual designers are responsible for creating visually appealing and user-friendly designs that can include everything from characters and infographics to illustrations. If you possess a strong understanding of color theory, you will likely stand out in the crowd with your unique visual style.

Focus Areas for Visual Designers

As a visual artist, consider focusing on the following areas:

Characters and Personas: Develop and design unique characters that can be used in various mediums, from video games to advertising. Info Graphics: Create information-rich graphics that help users understand complex data or concepts in a visually engaging way. Illustrations: Bring your characters and concepts to life with detailed and creative illustrations.

Exploring Digital Painting as a Freelance Service

Given your background as a painter, transitioning to digital painting can be an excellent choice for freelancing. Digital painting offers unique opportunities to showcase your artistic skills and reach a broader audience. If your work is of high quality, you will have a good chance of being discovered by the right clients. Consider showcasing your work on digital painting platforms such as DeviantArt or ArtStation to attract potential clients and collaborators.

Freelance Website Task Categories

When choosing the categories in a freelance website, focus on the following:

Graphics and Logo Design: This category covers a wide range of visual design services, from creating logos and branding materials to designing website graphics and social media assets. Illustration: If you specialize in illustration, this category is specifically tailored to your needs. Character Design: This category is ideal if you are creating characters and personas for video games, animation, or any other medium.

Guidelines for Building a Successful Freelance Business

Whether you choose to focus on visual design or digital painting, here are some precise guidelines to help you build a successful freelance business:

Build a Strong Portfolio: Curate a diverse portfolio that showcases your best work and areas of expertise. Include both commercial and personal projects to demonstrate your versatility. Create a Professional Guru Profile: Develop a detailed and professional profile that includes your skills, experience, and portfolio. Make sure to tailor your bio and experience to the categories you are targeting. Price Appropriately: Research the market rates for your services and set prices that reflect your skill level and the value you provide. Don't underprice yourself but also ensure your prices are competitive. Develop a simple but effective Rate Sheet: Create a clear and concise rate sheet that clients can easily understand. Include breakdowns for different services and pricing models. Utilize Social Media and Online Portfolios: Promote your work on platforms like Instagram, Behance, and Dribbble. Share your latest projects, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content to build your personal brand.

In conclusion, freelancing as a visual artist and 2D graphic designer can be incredibly rewarding if you choose the right digital category and follow a well-planned strategy. By focusing on the right areas, showcasing your skills, and building a professional online presence, you can attract the right clients and achieve success in the freelance market.