6 answers
Steve
Student
Stourbridge, England, United Kingdom
1
Question
Asked
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I need help with starting up a graphic design business, understanding the business side of things and help with my lack of confidence in my ability and knowing how to go about all of this?
I need help with starting up a graphic design business, understanding the business side of things and help with my lack of confidence in my ability and knowing how to go about all of this.
I'm a systems kind of person so it would help to understand the system of running a business ; the smaller details, requirements and the workflow involved so that i can see how it works, see the big picture more clearly and see how i can begin to set things in motion.
I graduated in 2022 with a graphic design degree but have had very limited exposure to design in a work place environment. I struggle with my confidence anyway and in 2023 worked for a company for 3 months before they let me go; it seems to me they only needed someone to help them catch up on their backlog of work for a while. This obviously severely knocked my already low confidence and since then i have had to find stability in other kinds of jobs to provide for my family. I am looking at approaching graphic design as done form of a career again now.
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6 answers
Thiffany Belda, MFA
Assistant Professor of Design
2
Answers
Troy, Alabama
Updated
Thiffany’s Answer
Hi Stev,
Thank you for sharing your story; it takes courage to do so. Please know that you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed at the start. It’s normal to lack confidence when starting or re-entering the field, especially after a difficult experience.
Since you identify as a systems thinker, a good approach may be to start by mapping out three core areas:
1. Your Services:
1.a. Is this a freelance or full-time endeavour
1.b. What type of design do you want to offer (logos, social media, branding, etc.)? Start small and specialize.
2. Your Workflow:
2.a. Where are you getting your clients from? What do you need to do to get clients?
2.b. Build a simple process: Inquiry → Proposal → Contract → Design → Revisions → Delivery → Invoice.
3. Business Basics
Learn about pricing, contracts, taxes, and client communication.
Resources like The Creative’s Guide to Starting a Business by Harriet Kelsall or Freelance and Business and Stuff by Hoodzpah are great places to start.
3.a. Do research and find out if you want to charge per hour/ deliverable/ project
3.b. Research and decide how much you are going to charge.
Confidence normally builds with action and experience. When it doesn't, you can still fake it by making sure you have confidence in smaller parts of the process and based on past successful performances. Consider starting with small freelance projects or volunteering your design skills for a local business to rebuild your rhythm. You have a degree—you’ve done the hard part. Now it’s about slowly putting that knowledge into motion.
I believe in your ability to do this!
Best,
Professor Belda
Thank you for sharing your story; it takes courage to do so. Please know that you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed at the start. It’s normal to lack confidence when starting or re-entering the field, especially after a difficult experience.
Since you identify as a systems thinker, a good approach may be to start by mapping out three core areas:
1. Your Services:
1.a. Is this a freelance or full-time endeavour
1.b. What type of design do you want to offer (logos, social media, branding, etc.)? Start small and specialize.
2. Your Workflow:
2.a. Where are you getting your clients from? What do you need to do to get clients?
2.b. Build a simple process: Inquiry → Proposal → Contract → Design → Revisions → Delivery → Invoice.
3. Business Basics
Learn about pricing, contracts, taxes, and client communication.
Resources like The Creative’s Guide to Starting a Business by Harriet Kelsall or Freelance and Business and Stuff by Hoodzpah are great places to start.
3.a. Do research and find out if you want to charge per hour/ deliverable/ project
3.b. Research and decide how much you are going to charge.
Confidence normally builds with action and experience. When it doesn't, you can still fake it by making sure you have confidence in smaller parts of the process and based on past successful performances. Consider starting with small freelance projects or volunteering your design skills for a local business to rebuild your rhythm. You have a degree—you’ve done the hard part. Now it’s about slowly putting that knowledge into motion.
I believe in your ability to do this!
Best,
Professor Belda
Muhammad S.
Consulting
1
Answer
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Muhammad’s Answer
Hey Steve - I just want to say that I really appreciate how honestly you shared your story. That takes guts. Trying to restart something like design after setbacks isn’t easy, and I think it shows a lot of strength that you're ready to explore it again.
About that job you had — I completely understand how much it must’ve knocked your confidence. But let me offer a different way to look at it: the fact that you were brought in, helped clear their backlog, and then were let go probably says more about their short-term needs than your ability. You stepped in, solved a problem, and moved the work forward. That’s a skill. Some people stay in a role for years and don’t contribute that kind of impact. You did it in 3 months. I would share that as my strong point during interviews.
And honestly? That doesn’t define your future. It doesn’t cancel your degree, your creativity, or your potential.
You mentioned you're a systems kind of person — that’s actually a huge strength when it comes to starting your own thing. Most creatives struggle with structure, but if you can understand the mechanics behind the business, it’ll give you a solid foundation to build on. Some suggested next steps are added below;
Just understand that you don’t need to know everything or be perfect. You just need to start. You already have what it takes — your degree, your eye, your systems mindset — now it’s just about building that muscle again, one small job, one small win at a time.
Start building your portfolio.
Start small, target friends and family, let them know you're available.
I know confidence is hard when you feel like you’re starting from scratch, or when you've been knocked down. But here’s the truth: confidence doesn't come first. Action does. Confidence follows after you’ve taken a few steps, seen a few wins, helped a few people.
About that job you had — I completely understand how much it must’ve knocked your confidence. But let me offer a different way to look at it: the fact that you were brought in, helped clear their backlog, and then were let go probably says more about their short-term needs than your ability. You stepped in, solved a problem, and moved the work forward. That’s a skill. Some people stay in a role for years and don’t contribute that kind of impact. You did it in 3 months. I would share that as my strong point during interviews.
And honestly? That doesn’t define your future. It doesn’t cancel your degree, your creativity, or your potential.
You mentioned you're a systems kind of person — that’s actually a huge strength when it comes to starting your own thing. Most creatives struggle with structure, but if you can understand the mechanics behind the business, it’ll give you a solid foundation to build on. Some suggested next steps are added below;
Just understand that you don’t need to know everything or be perfect. You just need to start. You already have what it takes — your degree, your eye, your systems mindset — now it’s just about building that muscle again, one small job, one small win at a time.
Muhammad recommends the following next steps:
Right on, Muhammed.
Kim Matthews
M.S. Gumelar
Author I Digital Artist
8
Answers
Denpasar, Indonesia
Updated
M.S.’s Answer
What type of graphic design business are you referring to—a startup company or freelance work? If you decide to become a freelancer, you will need extensive practice, along with creating numerous samples to build an impressive portfolio. However, keep in mind that many traditional graphic design roles are increasingly being replaced by AI. Therefore, I recommend positioning yourself as a "Traditional Graphic Designer" or a "Non-AI Graphic Designer" to maintain your relevance in the industry.
If you choose to establish your own startup, you must develop expertise in business, marketing, and strategy. This knowledge will allow you to eventually open job opportunities and delegate tasks while focusing on growing your company. Start in the bootstrap stage, where you invest your own money to launch your business and develop products while building customer trust. As you progress, move into the pre-seed stage, where you can raise funds from angel investors, such as family, friends, or other early supporters. When your business expands further, you can pursue additional funding in the seed stage.
Wishing you success in your graphic design business journey!
If you choose to establish your own startup, you must develop expertise in business, marketing, and strategy. This knowledge will allow you to eventually open job opportunities and delegate tasks while focusing on growing your company. Start in the bootstrap stage, where you invest your own money to launch your business and develop products while building customer trust. As you progress, move into the pre-seed stage, where you can raise funds from angel investors, such as family, friends, or other early supporters. When your business expands further, you can pursue additional funding in the seed stage.
Wishing you success in your graphic design business journey!
Mackenzi Green
Graphic Designer
1
Answer
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Mackenzi’s Answer
Hi Steve,
I have been a self employed designer for 6 + years, I started freelancing during university and never looked back! I'm also a design coach. I HIGHLY recommend checking out The Brief Collective on YouTube for advice regarding the business of design. Chris Do with the futur is also a great resource.
Watch this: https://youtu.be/v9ARfs8t0bQ?si=JIRDEroDz5y-9eAD
I have been a self employed designer for 6 + years, I started freelancing during university and never looked back! I'm also a design coach. I HIGHLY recommend checking out The Brief Collective on YouTube for advice regarding the business of design. Chris Do with the futur is also a great resource.
Mackenzi recommends the following next steps:
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
83
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Steve,
I think you're putting the proverbial horse before the cart a little here.
First you need some wins. If you don't regain your confidence, you're going to end up in bad jobs or with bad clients, which will only make matters worse. I suggest starting by making some stuff. Maybe try a branding package for yourself, even if you made one as a student. Or make some art. Whatever kind of visual project that feels right is a good place to start. After you're done, do another, then another. Remember that you don't have to show everything to everyone. From there, consider contacting some organizations that you might volunteer for, and start building a portfolio that way. Do things that bring you joy, and you'll start to feel better.
It sounds like you've got a job, so that's an enormous relief. Do what you can to excel there, no matter what you're doing. Focus on becoming the best craftsperson you can be; that ethos will serve you well for the rest of your life. Study the structure of the organization or organizations where you're working and figure out how you fit in; this will help you be a more effective employee as well as provide a model for your own business. While you may be involved in disciplines unrelated to graphic design, getting those business fundamentals will help you with time and project management, organization, workflow, and all the other things you'll need to succeed as an entrepreneur.
One more thing: remember that you're not alone. Many, if not most, creative people are plagued by the impostor syndrome, which can create some pretty toxic workplaces and contribute to your own fear and insecurity. Learn to block out bad vibes by focusing on the task at hand and identifying and leveraging your unique strengths.
Wishing you the best in all you do.
I think you're putting the proverbial horse before the cart a little here.
First you need some wins. If you don't regain your confidence, you're going to end up in bad jobs or with bad clients, which will only make matters worse. I suggest starting by making some stuff. Maybe try a branding package for yourself, even if you made one as a student. Or make some art. Whatever kind of visual project that feels right is a good place to start. After you're done, do another, then another. Remember that you don't have to show everything to everyone. From there, consider contacting some organizations that you might volunteer for, and start building a portfolio that way. Do things that bring you joy, and you'll start to feel better.
It sounds like you've got a job, so that's an enormous relief. Do what you can to excel there, no matter what you're doing. Focus on becoming the best craftsperson you can be; that ethos will serve you well for the rest of your life. Study the structure of the organization or organizations where you're working and figure out how you fit in; this will help you be a more effective employee as well as provide a model for your own business. While you may be involved in disciplines unrelated to graphic design, getting those business fundamentals will help you with time and project management, organization, workflow, and all the other things you'll need to succeed as an entrepreneur.
One more thing: remember that you're not alone. Many, if not most, creative people are plagued by the impostor syndrome, which can create some pretty toxic workplaces and contribute to your own fear and insecurity. Learn to block out bad vibes by focusing on the task at hand and identifying and leveraging your unique strengths.
Wishing you the best in all you do.
Shellie Gagliardi
Digital Transformation
5
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Shellie’s Answer
Hi Steve,
Being a creative myself, I have been in the same place you are but a long time ago. I can tell you are very self-aware and that is very powerful. You know your strengths and weaknesses. This is my advice, make a list of your strengths and weaknesses first before you build your business plan which is what you will do next. It is very hard to do it all, especially if you will still need to work while building this business. Depending how quickly you realistically want to see growth you need to understand your priorities between family and career. Again, you are only one person, and you can easily burn yourself out trying to do it all if you do not plan out this structure first. You need to make sure everyone involved, which will include your support system, will be onboard with the Business and understand the expectations beforehand to keep a more balanced environment. You will need your support system with all the work hours you are about to step into.
I feel people miss this step. You need to make sure you take care of yourself and your family while taking on this venture. If you are not ok and taking care of your health, your business will never succeed. Once you assess this, you may find yourself needing a partner or whatever, but you can now start to build your business plan out based on what you can realistically handle.
I hope this helps. Best of luck.
Being a creative myself, I have been in the same place you are but a long time ago. I can tell you are very self-aware and that is very powerful. You know your strengths and weaknesses. This is my advice, make a list of your strengths and weaknesses first before you build your business plan which is what you will do next. It is very hard to do it all, especially if you will still need to work while building this business. Depending how quickly you realistically want to see growth you need to understand your priorities between family and career. Again, you are only one person, and you can easily burn yourself out trying to do it all if you do not plan out this structure first. You need to make sure everyone involved, which will include your support system, will be onboard with the Business and understand the expectations beforehand to keep a more balanced environment. You will need your support system with all the work hours you are about to step into.
I feel people miss this step. You need to make sure you take care of yourself and your family while taking on this venture. If you are not ok and taking care of your health, your business will never succeed. Once you assess this, you may find yourself needing a partner or whatever, but you can now start to build your business plan out based on what you can realistically handle.
I hope this helps. Best of luck.