{"id":54048,"date":"2020-02-03T15:05:42","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T23:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/?p=54048"},"modified":"2024-04-19T05:34:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T12:34:00","slug":"how-to-start-a-graphic-design-business-in-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/how-to-start-a-graphic-design-business-in-2020","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Graphic Design Business in 2020: Entrepreneurs Share Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you’re curious about how to start a <\/strong>graphic design<\/strong><\/a> business<\/strong> in 2020? As we enter a new decade, the graphic design industry is filled with more opportunities than ever, thanks to the web. However, that’s not to say that starting your own graphic design business won’t take old-fashioned, hard work.<\/p>

Graphic design<\/a> is still as vital to branding, communication, and messaging today as it was decades ago. The big difference today is that the Internet has given graphic designers a new marketplace in which to work and thrive. There are also more roads available to start your own graphic design business, whether it’s as a solopreneur or freelancer, starting your own agency (either as a brick and mortar or online), or making a remote setup your calling card.<\/p>

Because there are so many variables to consider on the road to how to start a graphic design business, we reached out to numerous graphic design entrepreneurs who are already made it there. Here’s what these thought leaders had to say.<\/p>

<\/span>1. Be Prepared for the End…From the Beginning<\/span><\/h2>

This may sound a bit confusing, but hear us out. All this means is that you should have a reasonably clear plan before<\/em> you start out on your business journey. This is something Carolyn McHale—Creative Director for Boldface Design Group, Inc.—learned the hard way when she was just starting out.
“Is your goal to have a small, part-time, freelance business<\/a> or build an agency to eventually sell? Do you have a partner or investors? Each of these scenarios requires companies that are structured (LLC versus corporations), managed and exited with different strategies,†Carolyn said. “As all things come to an end, sometimes in unexpected ways, it’s much easier to navigate an exit when there’s a “pre-nup†that was agreed upon when everyone was most agreeable.â€
It’s definitely something she wished she gave more thought to when she founded her firm early on in her career.<\/p>

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“When I started my design firm in 1996, I was young and without a plan. I partnered with a woman I had worked with for several years and had become friends with. 10 years later, our partnership had broken down, and I was desperate to move to the mountains. I wanted to keep the business, so I went through the fiscally and emotionally draining process of buying out my partner, contacting clients, exiting our business agreement, and reestablishing my business. This process would have been much smoother for all concerned if we had a plan already in place.
\nKnowing up front where you want to end up will also help you and your team define your vision as you move toward your end goal. This knowledge should be the base for your business plan and corporate brand,†she said.<\/p>