Freelancing in the Philippines has been on a steady rise for the past couple of years. In fact, statistics say that the country places sixth (at 35 percent) when it comes to economies with a surge in the number of freelance professionals. In terms of industries, talents in media and visual arts make up a good portion of this working group, with many companies now opting to get freelance graphic designers in the Philippines instead of hiring full-time.
In this article, learn how to tap into this well of opportunity and start your freelance adventure in art design.
Building Your Foundation
Freelancing can be quite tricky to navigate because of strict competition in the market. With so many talented contractors out there, the first challenge is making your skills stand out from the crowd. Of course, this all starts with training and experience. While being in the media and visual arts industry requires creativity and constant practice, having the right training is required to get started on the arts and design track.
This is where short courses and formal educational training come in. The earlier you get exposed to the nitty-gritty of the industry, the easier it is for you to adjust to being a freelance graphic designer in the Philippines.
Take for example the Media and Visual Arts track that we offer here at the College of Arts and Technology. This senior high school program trains our students on the fundamentals of design, new media, and publishing, and is the perfect starting point for those planning to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in multimedia or fine arts.
College not on your mind yet? Enrolling in this program can also be very helpful in giving you the foundation you need to start your freelance career as an illustrator, digital artist, graphic designer, or videographer.
The Non-negotiables
Another perk of enrolling in a formal media and visual arts program is that you get trained with technical skills that you need in your arts and design career. Everyone can agree that when it comes to this industry, digital transformation plays a very big role in keeping one’s skills relevant and marketable to clients. Knowing how to use the latest software, for example, is a huge non-negotiable now for freelance graphic designers in the Philippines, especially with most clients trying to catch up now with new trends in media formats.
Of course, you also need to have the right tools to support this arts and design career. After all, a good craftsman can’t create a masterpiece without the right equipment. A good working laptop, editing licenses, fast internet connection, and other creative-specific tools will get you a step closer to bagging your first clients.
Understanding the Market
Knowing how the market works is also very important if you want to dive into graphic design freelancing in the Philippines. Setting the right rates matched with the right service offerings can make or break a successful project acquisition.
Also try to ask relevant questions. For example: What are the benefits that I can offer to my clients given that I’m a freelancer? Is it my friendly price rate? If yes, doing market research to position yourself well against your competitors is important.
Getting Your First Clients
Now for the biggest question of all: How exactly do you get clients? The first on your checklist should be to create an exhaustive portfolio that can market what you can do. Remember, if you’re going to be serious about being a freelance graphic designer in the Philippines, you will basically be acting as your very own talent manager. Compile your best works in easily digestible formats that you can send to potential clients.
Networking-wise, you can also join free social media communities dedicated to freelancers or clients looking for people to work on their campaigns. Doing so can give you easy leads on potential projects. You can even take the extra mile by applying to freelancing profiling websites to up your chances.
Be the Next Successful Freelance Graphic Designer in the Philippines
Starting a career as a freelance graphic designer in the Philippines can be challenging at first, but you can make the transition faster by preparing yourself early on.
CIIT Philippines’s Media and Visual Arts program for senior high school is designed to give creative young minds the training and preparation they need to start a career in media and the arts. Interested to know more about the program? Read more here and let’s talk about it!
