Types of companies that need a graphic designer?

lawtz04

Hi folks

In February I will be reducing my hours of employment to concentrate my efforts on my freelance work as a graphic designer.

I have a few clients but really want to go out and approach new clients. I am intending to call companies and try to arrange a face to face meeting to see if they need a designer. I am wondering where to start though. What type of companies need a graphic designer? Preferably ones that will require regular 'ish work but obviously not ones who are big enough to use design agencies!

Any thoughts on the types of companies that may require a designer?

Thank you!
Si

Opinion

Bars and clubs.

Aquamania

lawtz04 wrote: »

Hi folks

In February I will be reducing my hours of employment to concentrate my efforts on my freelance work as a graphic designer.

I have a few clients but really want to go out and approach new clients. I am intending to call companies and try to arrange a face to face meeting to see if they need a designer. I am wondering where to start though. What type of companies need a graphic designer? Preferably ones that will require regular 'ish work but obviously not ones who are big enough to use design agencies!

Any thoughts on the types of companies that may require a designer?

Thank you!
Si

What fields do your existing clients work in?
The most productive form of marketing is often word of mouth/recommendation.

However, in answer to your question, advertising agencies, design firms, custom packaging providers, poster makers, sign makers, and interactive media all often require the services of a graphic designer.

Kayalana99

MEEE!! no but seriously I can't afford to outsource so anyway,

I can't recommend it but someone posted a site called 99 designs (you'll have to google it) and people pay £99 to see loads of designs then choose the one they want.

I might be wrong but it sounds like basically your competing for the money.. maybe worth a look?

DKLS

E-learning companies and marketing companies have a steady requirement for GDs.

phill99

Every company will require graphic design in some capacity. Whether it's basic business cards, letterheads, comp slips, brochures, flyers, posters, corporate work wear etc etc.

You may wish to try and specialise in a few sectors and get to know the nuances of particular industries such as construction, transport etc.

Try and go to local business networking meetings as you will meet other local businesses who may well need your services.

johnmcga

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I can't recommend it but someone posted a site called 99 designs (you'll have to google it) and people pay £99 to see loads of designs then choose the one they want.

99 Designs is not a site that's going to help you become established as a freelance designer.

Basically, companies post a brief, then tens or hundreds of companies do the work for free. If you're lucky enough to be chosen as the 'winner', you get paid an amount which is unlikely to represent the actual effort you've put in.

You don't get to develop a working relationship with the client. You don't get to sit down with them to learn about their business, their customers and what they're trying to achieve.

In my experience it attracts people who like to do a little design work for fun in their spare time and naive freelancers. Do not bother!

(More information here (warning: link is a bit sweary).)

paddyrg

99 designs and the ilk isn't great for a UK designer to build a relationship with a business. It's an oversubscribed sector, domestic and international competition is high. Maybe try a local digital print shop with some samples of your work and agree a commission if they get you business?

FatVonD

What sort of things have you designed before (and is your current job a design role but you just want to go freelance?)

If you don't have a lot of experience try talking to local resident-type magazines, they may have advertisers that want their ad designed.

This one's coming from way out left field but I just designed the order of service for my dad's funeral (because the ones the undertakers organise look so awful.) The undertaker asked me how much it had cost to produce (namely £10 for the card and £15 or thereabouts for printing inks) and she told me they pay £100 to whoever does theirs and they are really bad (ie knocked up in Word by someone with no design expertise.) Maybe ask around at a few undertakers?

Aquamania

FatVonD wrote: »

What sort of things have you designed before (and is your current job a design role but you just want to go freelance?)

If you don't have a lot of experience try talking to local resident-type magazines, they may have advertisers that want their ad designed.

This one's coming from way out left field but I just designed the order of service for my dad's funeral (because the ones the undertakers organise look so awful.) The undertaker asked me how much it had cost to produce (namely £10 for the card and £15 or thereabouts for printing inks) and she told me they pay £100 to whoever does theirs and they are really bad (ie knocked up in Word by someone with no design expertise.) Maybe ask around at a few undertakers?

I doubt the undertaker pays £100 for the service (unless they have some kind of kick back agreement), but that is about the going price the undertaker will charge to provide the service.

I think a simple word document (with the odd graphic or two chosen from an established list) is perfectly acceptable.

FatVonD

Aquamania wrote: »

I doubt the undertaker pays £100 for the service (unless they have some kind of kick back agreement), but that is about the going price the undertaker will charge to provide the service.

She definitely said 'pay' rather than 'charge' but she could of course have been trying not to let on their mark up.

Aquamania wrote: »

I think a simple word document (with the odd graphic or two chosen from an established list) is perfectly acceptable.

I don't! (But I am a designer so I wouldn't)