We could all use a little extra cash to go toward tuition, right? If you have digital art skills put them to good use with these top five freelancing gigs.
Whether you’re going to school for art or you just happen to be a talented artist, you can put those skills to good use to help pay your way through college. Art is one thing that is always in demand.
And you have the supply to meet it!
With the advanced technology we have today, it’s entirely possible to make some extra income from your dorm room through freelancing. Here are some of the many freelance digital art jobs that will help you pay off your tuition and where you can look to find them!
Graphic Design
It’s impossible to look at any form of media or advertising without coming across an example of graphic design. It’s everywhere, meaning graphic designers are always in high demand.
It’s the perfect gig for anyone that’s already studying to become a graphic designer. You probably already have your feet firmly planted on the ground when it comes to this profession.
Not only will doing freelance work in college get you a paycheck, but it will also help you build up your portfolio for your future career!
Even if you’re not hoping to become a graphic designer in the future, you can still put your art skills to work. Just start with the basics of graphic design and jump on in.
Practice makes perfect!
3D Modeling
There is always someone, somewhere, trying to make a movie, show, or video game that needs the art for their project. It’s not something they can do themselves, so they’re going to look elsewhere to get it done.
That’s where you come in.
3D modeling and animation is a more specific kind of work that requires specific skills. But if you’ve got them, your services will definitely be sought out.
Don’t be picky about the work you take on. It pays in more ways than one to start taking on small freelance jobs.
You get to hone your skills in 3D modeling. You can test how well you do at a real-time project. And you will be adding experience to your resume and projects to your portfolio.
Later on down the line, when you’re hoping to get a job with Disney, you’ll have something to show off your skills.
And you will have paid a good chunk of your tuition to boot!
Illustration
There are just as many authors out there as there are artists. And a good majority of those authors are writing children’s books, graphic novels, and the like.
Do you know what that means?
Those authors are almost certainly going to need an illustrator to bring their stories to life.
You can help another creator realize their own dreams by contributing your amazing art skills to their storytelling abilities. It’s a long-standing partnership that is sure to ignite your love for drawing as well as put some money in your pocket.
While illustrators in the big leagues usually take royalties for their work, freelancers are more likely to earn a flat rate for theirs.
If you don’t have the time to take on a big project, many people need illustrations for small things. Then you only need to draw one or two pictures to complete the job rather than an entire story’s worth.
It’s up to you how you want to use your talents!
Layout Design
Media companies hire freelance artists all the time to design layouts for their products. They need to get them out in front of the public, and you can help them do that, which means they are willing to pay!
Putting together the layout for books, magazines, newsletters, brochures, posters, and infographics is essential to the media process.
It’s a different sort of art, but art nonetheless.
You’ve got to be creative to make a layout interesting enough to catch people’s attention. It would be easy for them to simply throw words on a page, but that won’t make it readable.
You’re going to help them get that product sold, and they’re going to thank you in kind with some hard-earned tuition money.
If you’re new to the world of layout design, Adobe InDesign is a great software to check out and get the hang of to push your layouts above and beyond.
Art Teacher
Use your digital art skills to teach others a skill they can use to reach their goals or earn themselves some money.
There are a few ways you can go about this.
Advertise private classes on social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use hashtags to get your service in front of as many interested eyes as possible. It may be slow going, but you’re bound to get some interested customers.
Or you could post a class on a site made for teaching others.
Teach younger minds a valuable skill by creating a class on Outschool. This site gives parents a chance to sign their kids up for courses outside of the typical classroom setting. This way they can learn things they might not have time to learn at school.
Record and post a class to Skillshare so people of all ages can learn from you.
You can teach anything, such as how to draw certain things or how to use a particular digital art program, from the comfort of your own room! (As long as you have a way to record yourself doing it.)
Where to Find Freelance Art Jobs
Now that you’ve chosen the type of freelance art job you want to pursue, you just have to get yourself out there.
Finding digital art jobs is easier these days, thanks to the number of sites set up expressly to connect people with skilled freelancers.
Here are a few places to check out to get you started:
- Indeed – A massive collection of job postings where you can search for work for artists, including temporary or seasonal work.
- Upwork – A site made for those looking specifically for freelancers and remote employees. Here freelancers can put their skills to work fast.
- LinkedIn – A reputable social networking site filled with jobs posted by hiring managers and companies. You can search for freelance art jobs with ease.
- ArtsThread – A place for creative people to share inspiration, give advice, network, and post jobs.
- Glassdoor – A great site to find work with well-established companies. It allows you to see salary estimates and reviews from other employees simultaneously.
In Conclusion
Holding down a job while in college takes a lot of determination. In the end, it is totally worth it when you see that money in your bank account. That’s one less thing you have to worry about.
It’s even better when you can do something you’re good at and honestly enjoy to earn that money and pay down your tuition.
These freelance digital art jobs are perfect for anyone who has the time to commit to projects but doesn’t want to be on a set schedule.
You can work as you’re able and build your portfolio, all while cutting down on those pesky tuition costs. There’s no reason not to give it a try!
[Author Bio:]
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the conventional housing industry and works with The Proper on a daily basis to help them with their marketing efforts.