How to Get More Design Work

(img src: TopCultured)

To get more design work you need to showcase your work and yourself. Becoming well-known in the design industry takes a lot of work and effort. What’s great about today’s technology is that there are many ways to get recognized, especially online. There are many benefits to becoming a recognized designer. It exposes you to more creative possibilities, you’ll have more clients, and your rates will also go higher. Although I am still in the beginning of my career, the following guidelines have helped me get exposure for my work and have gained great design experience through it. We will Let’s get started.

1. Expose Your Work

If your work is hiding in your studio and have not been seen by others, you do not exist as a designer. A portfolio, whether it be printed or on the web, can help you get more people interested in your work.

Digital Portfolios

There are many websites online that will let you upload your work to get exposure. Flickr, Behance, and DeviantArt are three of the websites I’ve had success in getting clients. Many people who need creative work done go through these sites to find something that will fulfill their needs. And maybe your work is just what they are looking for but they’ll never know unless you showcase your work online.

When you do use these online services, make sure you post quality works that best represent your style. Try to consistently add new content and make sure to regularly check any messages or responses from viewers and any potential clients.

(Behance, an free website that lets creatives upload their work and be connected to a network of clients)

If you’re tech-savvy and do not like being constrained to the free templates provided by the websites mentioned above, you can also create your own website. It will allow you to have the freedom to showcase your work in your own way. Many designers have their own website in addition to participating in the creative social media. This way, they’ll have more exposure of their work online and also have the creative freedom to present their work.

(An example of a website portfolio. Kevin Lucio showcases his work in his website and brings his personality in how he presents his portfolio.)

Printed Portfolios

They way you present your work is a story of your identity as a designer. Many artists chose to have an online portfolio to have a digital footprint as a creative, and in addition, they also have a hard-copy of their portfolio. If your work has a special experiential quality (textures, 3D elements, cut-outs) that a screen version cannot recreate, a printed version of your portfolio will be much more effective. Although, it may be a little more expensive, there is just something very special about a tangible work.

(An example of a printed portfolio by Atelier Martino & Jana.)

(img src: The Design Buzz)

2. Start a Blog

Starting a blog in your creative niche can help you gain recognition in the design industry. Many designers have become popular through this method. What’s great about starting a blog is that you don’t have to blog about your work all the time. You can start archiving articles, products, artists, etc. that inspire you. When people are inspired and learn from your blog posts that you share, the more they’ll be interested in your creative work.

Blogs, however, take a lot of time and dedication. Make sure you post only appropriate, professional, and quality content because other than getting more people to read your work, you also want to attract clients and professionals that can push your career forward.

(Swiss-Miss is an example of a designer who became famous because of blogging.)

3. Get Featured

Do online interviews or volunteer to write for a community/school magazine about your creative niche. Having published work on print always looks great on resumes. This will also increase your exposure in certain communities (i.e. art school magazines will increase your exposure among art students). Think of who your audiences are and find magazines and online blogs that feed that niche.

Just like a blog, you have to write appropriate, professional and quality content. The way you present yourself as a designer will be your identity and it will last a long time. Be consistent with your writing as well. You may want to be known as funny and casual, or serious and educative. Pick one. This is up to you. But make sure that your identity that you show matches with the mood and style of your work and captures the audience that you would like to be clients.

4. Create Connections

Be active in the design community. Follow other creatives and join the conversations both online and offline. Attend networking events in school, conventions, and at work. Design Community events are available everywhere and many times during the year.

Also, make great use of your social media profiles to get clients and recognition for your work. This will open more windows when it comes to working with clients and also collaborating with other artists and designers.

(FITC is a website that can help you find design and technology events in your area.)

5. Stay Passionate

Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”
– David Frost

The first four will do very little help if you are not passionate about what you do. Keep doing what you love. The more hours you spend designing and doing creative exercises, whether you have clients or not, can help you have the motivation and stay in love with design. Sometimes you have to design simply for the sake of designing. This will also challenge you to keep getting better. To stand out in the crowd of creatives, you need to do it not just to get clients, but be amazing in what you do. Being great in what you love takes discipline and sacrifice but your talents and credibility will shine through it. When you are great in what you do, people will notice. When people notice you, they will tell their friends and family about you. The buzz you create will get more work and people will be interested in you.

And that’s it! Are there any other ways you have received clients from? Share your story.

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