20 Best Graphic Designer
Freelancers
to Hire
in 2023

Graphic design is the art and practice of creating visual content to communicate a message or idea using typography and fonts, images, colors, and other design elements. It involves the creation of logos, advertisements, brochures, posters, websites, social media graphics, animations and other visual materials that convey a specific message to a target audience.

Graphic designers use various software tools and techniques to create designs that are aesthetically pleasing, visually appealing, and effective in conveying a message or information. It plays a crucial role in marketing, advertising, and branding for businesses, organizations, and individuals.

A freelance graphic designer typically works on a project basis, providing their design skills and expertise to clients on various design-related projects. Regular tasks for freelance graphic designers may include:

1. Meeting regularly with clients to discuss their design needs and goals, brainstorm new concepts, and collaborate on project priorities and requirements.
2. Conceptualizing, designing, and developing visual designs such as logos, brochures, banners, social media graphics, websites, and other marketing materials.
3. Collaborating with other team members or freelancers, such as copywriters and web developers, to create a cohesive strategy.
4. Presenting design concepts and ideas to clients and getting feedback to refine the design.
5. Managing time and projects, adhering to deadlines, and ensuring visual designs to meet the needs of the client.

Here are a few of the top reasons why an organization or individual should consider hiring a freelance graphic designer:

1. Professionalism: A graphic designer can help you create high-quality designs that align with your brand’s mission and values. A well-designed logo, website, brochure, or social media graphic can make a great first impression on your audience.
2. Creativity: Graphic designers are generally naturally creative people, and they use these talents to provide unique, thoughtful designs that can help you distinguish your brand. They can bring fresh and new ideas to the table and transform your vision into a unique and compelling design.
3. Consistency: A graphic designer can help you maintain a consistent look and message across all your design projects, from website to social media or marketing materials, thus helping to reinforce your brand image and build trust with your audience.
4. Time-saving: Freelance graphic designers have the agility, skills, and expertise to create high-quality designs in a timely manner. Make sure to coordinate with your graphic designer on timelines and priorities.
5. Branding: A graphic designer can help you create a strong and recognizable visual brand that resonates with your target audience, helping to build brand loyalty and recognition.

Hiring a graphic designer can be a great investment for your business, organization, or personal brand. Here are some steps to follow when hiring a graphic designer:

1. Define your project requirements: Before you start looking for a graphic designer, you should define your project requirements, starting with the exact type of design work needed, such as logo design, brochure design, website design, etc. You should also consider your budget and timeline to ensure your graphic designer is aware of these needs.
2. Look for graphic designers: You can find thousands of graphic designers on Contra to suit your needs. And since most graphic design projects can be completed remotely, you likely don't have to restrict yourself to hiring a graphic designer based on location.
3. Check their portfolios: Graphic designers often create visual portfolios to highlight their most impressive design work and skills. Review graphic designer portfolios on Contra to ensure their style matches your project needs.
4. Check reviews: Make sure to check out any reviews or testimonials to ensure the prospective graphic designer's style and skills fit the needs of your project.
5. Contact and choose a designer: Once you have narrowed down your list of prospective designers, reach out to them on Contra to discuss your project. Assess each designer's proposal and choose the one that best fits your project requirements and budget.
6. Communicate effectively: Once you have chosen a graphic designer, make sure to keep in touch throughout the design process to check in on progress and make sure your vision is coming to life.

Graphic designers use a variety of software tools to create their designs. Here are some of the most commonly used graphic design software tools:

1. Adobe Creative Cloud: Adobe Creative Cloud is a collection of integrated software applications that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and many more. These applications offer a wide range of tools and features for photo editing, vector graphics, desktop publishing, UX design and video editing.
2. Affinity Designer: Affinity Designer is a vector graphics design software tool that competes directly with Adobe Illustrator. It offers a wide range of professional-grade and user-friendly tools, including advanced pen and shape tools, live effects, and non-destructive editing.
3. Sketch: Sketch is a vector-based design tool used primarily for digital design work, including icons, logos, user interface designs, and web designs. It is known for its simple and intuitive interface and the ability to create reusable elements.
4. Procreate: Procreate is a digital painting application popular among artists and designers for creating illustrations and digital artwork. It features a wide range of brushes, layers, and blend modes.
5. Canva: Canva is an online graphic design platform that offers a wide range of design templates and free graphics, perfect for creating social media graphics, presentations, flyers, and other marketing materials.

The software used by graphic designers depends on their specific design needs, preferences, and budget. Graphic designers often use a combination of these software tools to create their designs depending on the project requirements and design preferences.

Freelancers are paid commission-free on Contra. They may charge per project, per hour, or per milestone. Freelancers get paid for the work they produce for their clients. Clients must pay a minimum of $250 or $25 an hour to post an opportunity on Contra.

• The cost to hire a graphic designer varies depending on the designer’s experience, the type and complexity of the project, the timeline, and geographic location.
• Graphic designers may charge an hourly rate for their services, which ranges from $40 to over $150 per hour, depending on the designer's experience.
• Project-based pricing involves charging a fixed fee for a specific project. The fee may depend on the project's complexity, the scope of work, and the timeline and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
• Some graphic designers work on a retainer basis, where clients pay a monthly fee for a specified number of hours of design work.

An experienced and professional graphic designer may charge higher rates, but the investment might be worthwhile if it results in high-quality, well-designed marketing materials that effectively communicate your brand message.

A graphic designer salary can vary based on several factors, including experience, education, location, and the industry they work in. Here are some recent salary figures for graphic designers in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. The median annual salary for graphic designers in the United States in May 2020 was $53,380.
2. The lowest 10 percent of graphic designers earned less than $32,320, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,430.
3. Graphic designers working in the publishing industry had the highest median annual wage of $57,780, followed by those working in the advertising, public relations, and related services industry, which had a median annual wage of $56,100.
4. Graphic designers working in computer systems design and related services had a median annual wage of $68,670, while those working in specialized design services, such as graphic design firms, had a median annual wage of $47,480.

It's important to note that salaries can vary depending on location, with higher salaries typically offered in metropolitan areas with higher costs of living. Additionally, salaries can increase with experience, and freelancers may earn more per project or hour but have less steady income.

Looking to start a career as a graphic designer? Here are some steps you can take:

1. Start by learning the fundamentals of design by taking online courses, tutorials, and workshops on design-related topics to build your skills. You can familiarize yourself with design software tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Sketch.
2. Build your portfolio: Once you have developed your skills, start creating designs to build your design portfolio on Contra. You can create designs for mock projects or collaborate with nonprofit organizations and small businesses for real-world experience.
3. Attend design-specific events or use Contra to connect with other designers and learn from their experiences. Stay updated with new digital mediums, software updates, industry trends, and market demands to stay relevant and grow in your career.
4. Applying for internships is an excellent way to gain experience and build your skills. Look for internships in design studios, advertising, marketing, or web design agencies, or with established graphic designers.
5. Apply for entry-level jobs: Look for entry-level graphic design jobs at design firms, advertising agencies, or in-house creative departments of corporations or nonprofits.

The length of time it takes to become a graphic designer can vary based on a few factors, such as how much education you have, how much experience you have, and the time you devoted to learning and practicing your skills. Here are some possible paths:

Some people learn graphic design skills through self-education or by enrolling in online graphic design courses, following online tutorials, and practicing their skills. This method could take six months to two years, depending on the amount of time dedicated to learning and practicing.

Others earn a two-year associate's degree in graphic design, which usually takes two years for full-time students. The curriculum includes visual communication, typography, layout, UX, design principle and color theory. Some associate degree programs also offer an opportunity for internships, helping students gain real-world experience.

A Bachelor's degree in graphic design takes four years to complete in a typical college program, with a curriculum that includes design theory, art history, electronic media, and marketing. This education level can provide in-depth coursework in several areas of design, preparing you for a broader range of employment opportunities.

So the time it takes to become a Graphic Designer depends on your educational background, skills, and experience level. Some people become graphic designers quickly through self-learning, graphic design courses and intense practice, while others may take longer through a formal education journey.

Graphic design can be an excellent career choice for those who are creative, detail-oriented, and have a passion for visual art and communication. If you are interested in starting a career as a graphic designer, here are some steps you can take:

1. Creative freedom: Graphic design is a field that allows for a lot of creative freedom, allowing designers to come up with unique ideas and designs.
2. High demand: Graphic design is a growing field, with a high demand for skilled designers in various industries, including marketing, advertising, and publishing.
3. Range of opportunities: Graphic designers can work in various fields, from animation to digital marketing or print media, and have a range of job opportunities, including working in-house or as a freelancer. There are several types of graphic designers, each specializing in a specific area of design, such as: brand designers, logo designers, motion designers, packaging designers, print designers, product designers, UX designers and web designers. Each type of graphic designer may require different skills and knowledge, and some designers may specialize in more than one area.
4. Flexibility: Graphic designers can work remotely, set their own schedules, and have a flexible work arrangement.
5. Job satisfaction: Seeing your designs come to life and having a positive impact on your clients' businesses or organizations can be very satisfying.

As with any career, there are also some challenges to consider. The competition in the industry can be fierce, and the demand for high-quality designs is constantly increasing. Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies can require continuous learning, and it can be challenging to find stable employment.

Ultimately, whether graphic design is a good career choice for you will depend on your passion and interests, skills, and career goals.

The terms "graphic designer" and "graphic artist" are often used interchangeably, and there is no clear-cut distinction between the two. However, there are some potential differences between graphic designers and graphic artists:

Graphic design is the art and practice of creating visual content to communicate a message or idea using typography and fonts, images, colors, and other design elements. Graphic designers need to have knowledge in designing for a specific medium or format such as print, web, or environmental design.

A graphic artist, on the other hand, is generally someone who focuses primarily on creating aesthetic artwork using various mediums. They may produce illustrations, digital paintings, sculptures, or other visual art forms. Their work on visual communication may be self-produced or commissioned. Unlike graphic designers, graphic artists have more artistic freedom and focus on creating beautiful artwork for public exhibitions, galleries, or personal projects.

While the distinctions between graphic designers and graphic artists may be blurry, the main difference is that graphic designers use visual communication design to communicate a message to their audience, while graphic artists focus on creating visually appealing art.