Graphic design: what is it? Although this list of illustrations for graphic design is helpful, it could be more inclusive.

Although it is impossible to cover all aspects of graphic design in one article, this overview will give you a better understanding of this creative career.

what do most graphic designers charge per hour

What is Graphic Design?

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is "the art and practice of designing and projecting concepts, experiences, and ideas with visual and textual elements," according to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA).

Visual concepts or messages are communicated through graphic design. These visuals could be as simple or complex as a company logo or page layout for a website.

Companies can use graphic design for advertising their products, websites can convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way through infographics, and businesses can create an identity through branding.

Remember that graphic design can be used for commercial purposes, such as logos or advertisements. Graphic design, however, can also be applied in different situations.

The only goal of graphic design work is frequently to express aesthetic concepts.

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Graphic Design Basics

Graphic Design Basics

To better comprehend the meaning of the graphic design, it is essential to be familiar with its guiding principles and constituent parts.

Elements can be employed together or in contrast to one another to produce visually compelling, striking, and memorable designs.

These visual components consist of the following:

  • Color

  • Form

  • Line

  • Shape

  • Size

  • Space

  • Texture

Graphic designers must also observe the rules of design. These are the rules that help a design produce a successful composition.

These ideas contribute to the stability and balance of a piece of work.

These principles of graphic design include:

  • Balance

  • Contrast

  • Accentuation

  • Movement

  • Proportion

  • Rhythm

The old saying "rules should be broken" can hold here. An excellent graphic designer must understand the principles and consciously decide not to follow them.

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Different Types of Graphic Design

Different Types of Graphic Design

Graphic design has several meanings, as we have already shown. Print, web, animation, and motion graphics are subfields that make up graphic design.

Graphic design has many options and opportunities for people of all interests.

If you had asked someone to define graphic design 30 years ago, they would likely have focused on printed examples, such as posters, advertisements, and magazines.

The digital era in which we live has given rise to numerous new graphic design genres.

Technology has made some of the most striking examples of modern graphic design. These are just a few examples of graphic design:

  • Web Design: It is about creating user-friendly web pages.

    This includes the overall layout, color scheme, and navigation.

  • UX Design: It aims to make a website or app easy and enjoyable to use.

    These designers are focused on value, usability, and adaptability.

  • Motion Graphics Design: In TV shows, video games, and movies, special effects and animation bring visual effects to life.

What is the Hourly Rate of a Freelance Graphic Designer?

When graphic designers open their freelance businesses, they charge an hourly rate.

They then estimate the time it will take to complete the project and multiply that number by their hourly rate.

Hourly rates are one of the easiest ways to evaluate prices because they don't consider the specifics of different tasks.

Nevertheless, depending on the designer's background, they may differ.

According to a study, a freelance graphic designer's hourly cost ranges from $15 to $35, with an average of $25.

The variation between $15 and $150 per hour is substantial. Designers should view the average wage of $25 per hour as more of a starting point than a ceiling.

It is also important to note that graphic designers often shift to project pricing when their experience and rates rise.

This implies that these data need to adequately reflect the more seasoned visual artists' rates. Therefore, rather than being the ceiling, these rates are the floor. Payscale rates the average hourly rate at $29.55 an hour.

Project-Based Average Freelance Graphic Design Rates

It is more challenging to compare project-based rates side-by-side. They can vary depending on the type of work and the scope of work.

We've compiled a list of five typical graphic design industry jobs that will have an average price.

Standard Logo Design: $100 - $850

Thumbtack estimated this range on its nationwide network of independent graphic designers. The content will change based on the number of logo alternatives used, revision cycles, whether the logo is made from scratch or a template, and, of course, the designer's level of experience.

Basic Website Design: $5,000-$7,500

Thumbtack has estimated a site with between 5 and 6 pages and average page quality. Web design costs can differ significantly, even by our standards.

The number of pages and whether a bespoke design career was used or a template will affect the price.

Ebook Design: $200-$2,500

Exposure estimates the average cost to convert copy into an ebook formatted and designed is around $1,000. The most critical factors are complexity and the number of pages.

Social Media Graphics: $5-10 per graphic

One of the cheapest design skills jobs can be simple social media graphics. According to graphic designers, prices might range from $5 for simple designs to $40-$65 for more complicated ones or designs by more experienced designers.

Freelance graphic designers will frequently sell this kind of service for $50 for eight designs.

Business Collateral: $75 - $450

We also highlighted the design for print collateral as a lower-end project. A study reports that rates for beginner graphic designers start at $75 for a job like business cards, flyers, and brochures.

These assets may be charged at a higher price by more experienced graphic designers, which could reach $450.

What Should a Beginning Graphic Designer Charge?

A starting freelance designer should be paid between $20 and $30 per hour. Although it is easier to establish a benchmark for hourly rates, we recommend that you price projects over hourly pricing.

We'll explain why we recommend project pricing over hourly rates later. Even if you initially charge hourly rates for your freelancing work, you may easily switch to project-based charges as your firm expands.

To estimate, you can use the above project-based rates. These are based on the complexity and scope of the project.

This will help you with a price. It covers everything you need to be a freelancer, from setting rates to finding clients.

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Consider These Factors When Setting Your Rates

Consider These Factors When Setting Your Rates

Now that we have some benchmarks let's talk about customizing rates for your clients and yourself. The models are not a guideline for where to start.

You will need to consider several factors when setting your freelance graphic design tools rates:

  • Your level of experience: The most obvious justification is that you shouldn't bill $20 per hour for graphic product design work if you have more than ten years of experience but are new to freelancing.

    If you are making your first logo, you should charge less than $850.

  • What will you Price it: Will your hourly rate be set, and you follow through? What are the project rates you will quote? What will you charge for additional services, such as fixing a website's design projects or providing other logo options? After you have presented your initial designs, will you be charged for further rounds of revisions?

  • Project Details, Scope, and Size: Are the primary factors determining your rate, mainly if you are quoting per project.

  • The Time you Anticipate the Project will Take: It doesn't matter if you choose hourly pricing, but it is essential to consider how long the project will take.

    This will ensure that your rates are competitive.

  • What your Client will Receive From the Project. A freelancer's biggest mistake is to charge based on the cost of completing a task (in time, effort, and other expenses).

    Clients hire graphic designers based on the value that they will get from the project. Your rates should reflect this value.

  • The Value you will Receive From your Client: This value conversation goes both ways.

    These can factor in your final rate if a client offers regular, steady work or has the brand equity to help you build authority within your niche.

  • Your Overhead and Expenses: Freelancing has its own set of costs. These include the health insurance you will need and the software you'll use.

    These costs should be considered when setting rates for your freelance business to ensure it is financially sound.

To Set a Flat Rate or Charge Per Hour?

To Set a Flat Rate or Charge Per Hour?

We've already mentioned it a few times. Let's get into the details: Should you charge hourly or project-based rates? Both pricing models are widely used in independent graphic design software, giving you many choices.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each rate.

Hourly Rates

PRO: Hourly Rates are easy to compare across industries and find a rate that suits your experience level.

CONS: Hourly rates only sometimes take into account the project's value.

PRO: Hourly charging ensures you are paid for time spent on a project, particularly in cases of scope creep.

CON: Hourly charging puts a limit on your earnings. There are only so many hours in a week.

CON: Hourly rates lose their appeal when you become more efficient and faster at your job. You shouldn't be paid less as you become more proficient at a task.

CON: Hourly Rates You must keep track of all time spent on different projects.

Project rates

PRO: Project Rates allow you to make your business more profitable as you gain experience and work faster.

CONS: Costs of a project can be unclear. Finding the ideal project rate can be more difficult if you are new to freelancing than if you are paid hourly.

PRO: Charging per Project allows you to charge different rates for different types of work. You can also charge more for projects that you are an expert in.

CONS: Charging an hour is slightly more common, making it sometimes more challenging for clients to sell project-based rates.

PRO: You can escape the grind of attempting to sell your time with project rates. Instead, you market your knowledge, abilities, and the finished product you produce.

We Recommend Project-Based Pricing.

We recommend that freelance offshore graphic designers choose project-based pricing because of the pros and cons.

You can change your rates to suit each project, even if you charge per hour or hourly as a beginner. This will allow you to increase your income and ensure your soft skill level and experience grow.

Here are Some Tips to Help you set Your Graphic Design Rates as a Freelancer

Here are Some Tips to Help you set Your Graphic Design Rates as a Freelancer

Once you have established a pricing strategy and some benchmarks, let's get on to the fun stuff: Let's show your rates.

It's acceptable if you feel like you're trying to combine estimations from numerous separate things. It's not a precise science to set your prices.

There is no proper response. It's essential to select the appropriate rate for both you and your clients based on what you know.

Your prices are not fixed. Negotiate rates with customers you like, raise or lower prices as you go, and switch pricing strategies if you don't like the current one.

Now you are ready to set your rates. We share some tried-and-true tips below to help you on your way.

  • Please do your Homework: This tip is essential (and it's worth reading the guide!) Based on your level of experience, competitive research rates within your industry.

    Before quoting a rate, get the details of your clients. Ask about freelance graphic design communities to find out what other designers charge.

  • Be Aware of your Value: It is easy to set rates that are too low. Suppose you don't have the time, aren't interested in the work, or need to be more confident about your abilities and the value you provide clients.

    In that case, it's easy to set your rates too low. Understanding the value of your work and the fixed rates that allow you to make a living is crucial.

  • Negotiate and Start High: You can always lower the price if you give a client a quote that is slightly higher than their budget.

    It is much more difficult to argue for more than the original quote unless the project's scope changes. Negotiating a bit higher than you originally quoted and then going from there is better.

  • Increase your Rates Regularly: We'll discuss this later, but it's important to remember now. Your rates today may differ from what you should charge next year.

    With every project you complete and every training session you take part in, your value as a freelancer digital designs increases. You should expect your rates to rise with it.

  • Flexibility is Possible: Your work can bring you other benefits than the obvious financial ones.

    Working with a client can significantly boost your authority. This is a form of currency. It can also warrant some flexibility on the monetary side.

  • Be Aware of your Overhead and Expenses: As mentioned, freelancing can bring expenses that in-house graphic artists don't have to incur.

    Your clients' costs are likely to be higher than hiring a full-time graphic design career. Therefore, when setting your rates, you should consider both sides of the equation.

Rate Setting Mistakes to Avoid

It's simple for independent contractors to make typical mistakes when determining their fees. These may restrict your earning potential, making it challenging to predict your revenue.

We highlight some of the most common errors freelance graphic designers make when setting their rates.

  • Undervaluing Your Work: Creatives can be prone to impostor Syndrome. However, setting rates is not the place for this.

    Your work is valuable to your clients and should be paid for it. Asking clients to share testimonials and data about the impact of your work is one way to avoid this error. These can be saved in a file called a swipe file.

  • Rates for Each Project are Pulled out of the Hat: We advocate project-based pricing. This means that rates for different projects will differ.

    You should not pull rates out of the hat randomly. It would be best if you had a clear pricing strategy for each project and client to forecast your income and feel confident about your rates.

  • Keeping the Same Rates for Years: Your rates should stay the same year to year, even though you must adjust them to account for inflation.

    As you gain experience and your availability reduces, you should raise your charges. You can learn more about how to accomplish this in the section after this.

  • Hourly Rates: Tying your earnings potential to your time will limit your growth. To earn more, you must work longer hours.

    This will make it challenging to work efficiently.

How Can I Increase my Freelance Rate

It would be best if you now had an idea of how you will set your rates. Now you know how much you will charge per hour or job and have established a range of speeds.

Let's now get them going. There is no yearly Christmas bonus or pay increase for freelance graphic artists. It must be you who makes sure that your prices go up over time.

Your rates will increase as you gain experience and establish yourself in your niche or industry. You can offer more value to clients if you have more experience.

This also means that your availability and time will be less available. It's time to boost your prices since supply and demand dictate that you should.

There is no easy way to increase your freelance rates. However, you can put in place a strategy for doing this regularly.

To improve your rates, create a process to define and communicate new rates to clients. How do you know when it's the right time? These are some common indicators that you can increase your rates.

It is a New Year: Your rates should rise at least once yearly.

There are Too Many Requests for your Services: This signifies that you value your bandwidth more than the price you charge.

Your Website Design has Shown Excellent Results for Clients: Did it result in a 10% increase in the client's conversion rate? Has your ebook generated 300 leads? These are great signs that your customers are receiving exceptional value from you.

Your pricing ought to reflect this.

You Have Increased your Skills: Have you taken a new course and designed a new website? It's time to advance your rates.

You Have Found your Niche and are an Expert in it: This is what clients pay for. You bring added value to every project, regardless of whether you are growing in graphic design experience overall or a specialist in a particular niche.

Your Processes and Tools have Been put in Place to Make it Easier for Clients to Work with you: Only a portion of the value you offer clients comes from your creative work.

Your company, your professionalism, and the procedures you've established are all significant factors. Rates should reflect the reality that you are spending money to expedite or simplify things for customers.

Rate Boosting Tips

It's time to raise your charges if you notice these situations. Despite its significance, it might not be very comforting, mainly if your customers are already accustomed to paying your rates.

They might balk at your new rates and choose to work with another graphic designer.

How can you explain the reason for the rise? Is it worth the extra work?

Talking about money, especially when it comes to raising your rates, can be scary and uncomfortable. They are crucial to starting a freelance graphic artist business.

Here are some pointers to help with the procedure:

  • Communicate with clients and be proactive - Rate increases shouldn't be a surprise.

  • The increased rate is directly related to the higher value you create.

  • Consider allowing repeat clients to remain at the legacy rate while increasing rates for new clients.

  • Clients should be assured that you will keep your rates the same after each project.

    Clients will feel more relaxed if there is a lock-in or guarantee for a certain period (say six months).

  • Flexibility is key - If your rate is outside the client's budget, but you aren't ready to walk away from the deal, then offer to meet in between.

  • Be open to the possibility of losing clients that you don't like.

    It's OK if not everyone can afford your work.

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Wrapping up

The process of determining the best graphic designers for hire is challenging.

For freelancers, no pricing plan works for everyone. To ensure that your rates allow you to earn your worth without overcharging your clients, there are specific actions you can take.

Paul
Full Stack Developer

Paul is a highly skilled Full Stack Developer with a solid educational background that includes a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Software Engineering, as well as a decade of hands-on experience. Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and Agile Scrum Master bolster his knowledge. Paul's excellent contributions to the software development industry have garnered him a slew of prizes and accolades, cementing his status as a top-tier professional. Aside from coding, he finds relief in her interests, which include hiking through beautiful landscapes, finding creative outlets through painting, and giving back to the community by participating in local tech education programmer.

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