Remote Graphic Design Jobs

Thinking of jobs that will allow you creativity and freedom? Well, remote graphic design jobs could be perfect for you. This is truly an exhilarating career path, and working online from absolutely anywhere has never been easier than it is today. 

With this guide, you’ll be able to compare the requirements, the average pay, and a number of other factors you’ll want to consider before pursuing this type of work. 

With the help of the information here, you’ll muster the courage to say goodbye to the 9–5 rat race and become self-sufficient, less stressed, and potentially — wealthier!

Roles

There are many roles to choose from in the graphic design field. What’s more, you need to take into account things such as skills, requirements, and pay before you find the one that’s right for you. The information we have compiled on each of the roles here should help provide a better idea of what you want to do. 

See for yourself:

Graphic Art Manager

Job Description

Graphic art managers are charged with supervising a team of designers and monitoring the whole creative development and creation process, including layouts, concepts, and designs. It is a graphic art manager’s role to tell a story using visuals and train/work alongside others as they do the same. 

Responsibilities

They are in charge of creating: 

• Web page graphics.
• Computer graphics.
• Ads.
• Illustrations.
• Logos.
• Brochures.
• And other visual elements.

Technical Skills

• More than three years experience in graphic design.
• Creative and innovative skills.
• Great presentation skills.
• Client interfacing ability.
• Strong delegation skills.
• Detail oriented and well organized.
• Strong analytical and artistic approach.
• Ability to handle multiple projects.
• Knowledge of many tools and methodologies including the Adobe creative suite, Sprints, Scrum, Waterfall, and Lean.

A graphic design manager should have ideally completed a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, along with a minimum three years of work experience as a graphic designer. 

Graphic Designer

Job Description

The job of a graphic designer is to create visual designs either by hand or digitally via software. Most often than not these include things such as brochures, ads, magazines, etc., all for the sake of engaging consumers and spreading brand awareness.

Responsibilities

• Checking for any design errors prior to printing or publishing.
• Implementing client recommendations into the final design.
• Presenting an interactive design to art directors and clients.
• Selecting the overall layout of the design, including the colors, text styles, and images.
• Developing graphics for logos, websites, and product illustrations.
• Create story-driven images to help identify the product better.
• Establish the primary message of the design.
• Advising clients on the best practices and strategies to engage a specific audience.
• Meeting with clients and art directors to establish the overall scope of a given project.

Technical Skills

• A graphic designer should be able to use a variety of software and methodologies, such as Scrum, Waterfall, and the Adobe creative suite.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and finish tasks in a timely manner.
• An exceptional understanding of the current trends and their respective role within the designer market.
• Critical thinking and keen attention to detail.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Strong sense of aesthetics, creative flair, and imagination (innovation).
• Knowledgeable of general IT skills and techniques.

Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field to be on top of their game. 

Brand Identity Developer

Job Description

A company’s logo and visual brand gives consumers the first impression of a business. These things let them know whether a company is trustworthy, innovative, modern, etc. Hence, unlike other remote graphic design jobs, a brand identity designer is responsible for coming up with a cohesive and consistent visual design for the company in question. 

Responsibilities

• Crafting brand messages for businesses.
• Designing stunning visuals for brands.
• Ensuring that branding is consistent and that businesses are always delivering the same message every time they appear to customers.

Technical Skills

• You’ll play with illustrations, colors, shapes, fonts, and lines to create a variety of possible logos and other visual elements on signage, user experience design, packaging, promotional materials, websites, business cards, stationery, and more.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Come up with creative ideas, but also be able to listen carefully to what the client is asking for.
• Have confidence to present or communicate your ideas.
• Work to a brief, within the constraints of a budget and deadline.

There are a few useful subjects that could help you to forge your path to becoming a brand identity developer.

These include:

• Computer Science.
• Social studies subjects such as media.
• Art.
• Graphic design.
• Graphic communication.
• Visual communication.
• Graphic branding and identity.
• Advertising and brand design.

Logo Designer

Job Description

Another great option on our list of online graphic designer jobs — a logo designer. These creative souls use what they know about a brand and their offerings/values to create an appropriate logo. 

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the design and execution of various creative concepts for the marketing and web solutions of a particular organization.
• Sketching and brainstorming logomarks with designer colleagues.
• Handling multiple branding projects.
• Altering and modifying vector graphics.
• Crafting logos and graphics according to client specifications.
• Designing layouts in accordance with the brand image.

Technical Skills

• Ability to multitask.
• Robust interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Fast learner.
• Knowledge of the latest and best graphic design software.
• Ability to manage time efficiently.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Illustrator/Visual Designer

Job Description

Illustrators create original art to decorate or to convey information. Illustrators may draw pictures for books, magazines, and other print materials. 

Responsibilities

• Working together with a group of fellow designers to identify and determine UI requirements.
• Improving the established interface design via the use of various shapes, colors, and typographic fonts for a smooth user experience.
• Painting by hand and using drawing applications to design original graphics.

Technical Skills

• Experience working as a visual designer, UI designer or similar role.
• Expert at using sketching software, such as InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.
• A solid understanding of HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
• A keen eye for aesthetics.
• Respects tight deadlines and schedules.

Multimedia Designer

Job Description

Multimedia designers are the workers behind advertisements, informational videos, and many other types of content you may come across while browsing the internet or while watching television. Of all the remote graphic design jobs, this is considered the most fun and engaging (by some).

Responsibilities

• Developing and producing multimedia pieces for use on websites, in multimedia presentations, and for interactive displays.
• Collaborating with marketing and public relations teams to determine appropriate elements of projects.
• Preparing artwork and media for final approval and distribution.

Technical Skills

• Creating graphics, animations, and special effects.
• Editing video, audio, and graphic media via the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Working with fellow multimedia designers to come up with new creative concepts.
• Drawing storyboards.
• Prioritizing tasks based on deadline proximity.

Multimedia designers use a variety of tools in their work. Some of those include:

• Adobe Creative Suite — includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver and other programs

Visual Journalist

Job Description

This role is all about having the intuition and confidence to spot the narrative and turn it into an interactive design.

Responsibilities

• Have a passion for investigative journalism and data and be able to combine these to tell compelling stories.
• Ability to spot a good story when it comes along.
• A strong eye for detail and accuracy.

Technical Skills

• Skills in creating data visualisations, including interactive maps.
• Rigorous research and data-analysis skills.
• Enthusiasm and a skill for investigating consumer issues.

Layout Artist

Job Description

When it comes to remote freelance graphic design jobs, layout artists are designers who work with text and images on printed pages or screens, ensuring the proper readability and placement of these elements.

Responsibilities

• Arranging various page elements.
• Designing text elements.
• Modifying page graphics.
• Examining page proofs.
• Coordinating with the publication team.

Technical Skills

• Composition skills.
• Typography skills.
• Drawing skills.
• Exceptional image and text editing skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Expert knowledge of layout software — (Adobe InDesign).
• Graphic editing software — (Adobe Photoshop).

Graphic Designer as a Remote Profession

Remote Web Design Jobs

There are numerous benefits to working remotely in this field. Forget the commute, and all of the spending and stress that goes with it. Remote graphic design jobs allow you to work from the comfort of your own home. 

You’ll cut down on the time it takes you to get to work drastically, as well as the time spent getting ready in the mornings. You should be able to schedule your own working day, too, getting other things done that you may have had to neglect when you had a 9–5 job. You should find yourself with less stress and more free time as a result. This type of role also allows you to get creative and use any artistic and aesthetic skills you may have. 

While there are numerous benefits to telecommuting graphic design jobs, there may be a few limitations. This will only work for you if you are able to motivate yourself to work from home. Not only that, you must be happy working in isolation, as you will not be around other people as you would be in a traditional workplace. Plus with the fierce competition on the online job market, you will have to find a way to differentiate yourself and be willing to work hard. 

Top 10 Software for Freelance Graphic Designers

The right graphics software can forever change the way that remote designers work. The best graphic design apps for freelance graphic designers are as follows: 

1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Sketch
3. Adobe Illustrator
4. Affinity designer
5. Adobe InDesign
6. GIMP
7. Gravit Designer
8. Inkscape
9. Vectr
10. Procreate

Top Graphic Design Tablets

Having the right graphic design tablet is essential as a remote graphic designer. With the right one you will be able to work on the move and create high quality work time and time again, bringing your clients back to you. 

1. Wacom Cintiq 22
2. XP-Pen Artist 15.6 pen display
3. Wacom One (2020)
4. Wacom Intuos Pro (large)
5. Huion H430P
6. Wacom Cintiq 16
7. Huion H640P
8. Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13
9. Microsoft Surface Book 2
10. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2018)

Top 5 Job Boards Offering Remote Graphic Design Jobs

1. Dribbble
2. Upwork
3. Solidgigs
4. Flexjobs
5. Freeeup

Top 5 Websites for Graphic Designers

There are many sites and resources out there displaying remote graphic design jobs in the USA and abroad that could be of use to both budding graphic designers and those who are already working in the industry. The cream of the crop include: 

1. Krop — a creative-job platform that is also considered a portfolio containing other websites.
2. Design Observer — all of the job opportunities posted here are immediately shared over a vast array of design websites.
3. Dribbble — here people are able to share pictures and screenshots of their works and projects.
4. Odesk — more than one million companies and organizations use Odesk to hire freelancers. You could find both full- and part-time work as a graphic designer.  
5. Coroflot — used to search for jobs from more than 2500 companies; you can look for jobs based on their speciality or level category.

How to Create the Best Graphic Designer Portfolio (Resume) — Tips

Your portfolio gives you the opportunity to show off your best work and impress potential clients. Making sure it looks as good as it possibly can is imperative to your success in this field. 

Your portfolio is not something you throw together once and then leave as is. This is something that should be maintained and improved throughout your entire graphic design career. 

Below, we have some great tips for ensuring your portfolio is always at its best. 

Prioritize

First, force yourself to let go of lesser work that could be dragging down your portfolio. It can be tough to do this, especially if this is work you spent a lot of time on. However, even if you’ve put a lot of time and energy into the project, you should let it go if you can’t call it your best. Edit it ruthlessly, as you really need this portfolio to do the talking for you. 

Include the things you enjoy doing most

Although you do need strong pieces in your portfolio, you should also include the type of work you would like more of (for example, front-end design, layout work, UI, etc.). This is essential if you don’t want to be labelled as a one trick pony. Every designer has a style, but you should be able to pull off various projects with ease. 

Make it personal

Ensure you showcase your personality, and always ask yourself whether your portfolio represents who you are today. You don’t just have to show off client work — show off personal projects too, providing they are strong enough. 

Edit, edit, edit

Editing your portfolio is key, as well as ensuring you have included the right type of work. Check your spelling, ask for critiques from other web developers, and practice talking through your portfolio as if you were talking to a client. They will likely want to ask questions — simply looking through your portfolio may not be enough for them. 

Variety is the spice of life

Ensure variety in what you include, and make sure the images flow nicely from one to the next. They should also be high resolution to make them as prominent as possible on every screen they could be viewed on. 

This is also important if you plan on creating a physical portfolio, as the printed images will need to be clear and concise. You could even showcase the design process if you want your clients to be impressed by your Figma expertise or the unique way you do things. 

Make it your strong suit

Essentially, your portfolio must be your strongest work, the most unique, and the most creative. Think carefully, and be vigilant. Above all else, make sure you’re happy to put your name on it and for it to be the thing that emphasises your brand as a graphic designer.  

Who Is Remote Graphic Design Work Best For?

It takes a special type of person to do remote work and do it well; designer jobs in particular. This role is best for people who are able to motivate themselves, and for those who have experience in this sort of role and industry. 

It could be a good opportunity for those who prefer to work from home and alone — if you struggle to motivate yourself and don’t like feeling isolated from time to time, then this may not be the right role for you. 

Offsite graphic design jobs could also be ideal for people who may not find it easy to get out of the house, e.g., those with children or those with a disability. Of course, it goes without saying that you should also have a keen eye for design and exceptional drawing abilities. 

What are the best websites to look for freelance graphic designer jobs?

The sites you use will depend on a number of things; from how experienced you are to where you tend to have the most success. When you’re just starting out, it might be a good idea to use sites like Fiverr, so that you can do low-cost jobs and gain experience before moving on to other remote senior graphic designer jobs.

What’s more, sites like PeoplePerHour allow you to set your own rate of pay, and once you have built up your experience (and reputation), you will be able to charge more for your services. Gaining positive reviews is absolutely essential for successfully using these sites. 

Overall, using as many sites as possible to gain experience and get paid when you’re just starting out is a good idea. Aim to connect, build professional relationships, and do good work in general.

Also, bear in mind that these sites will take a percentage before you get paid. Eventually, once you have a high number of clients that trust you and like your work, you can ditch these  part-time remote graphic designer jobs and start out on your own by encouraging them to work with you away from the said platform. 

All in all, you should aim to build your own website and try to grow your freelance clientele organically. That way you can get paid optimally without having to rely on these sites too much.

Now, to begin with, you could try sites like:

• Toptal
• Freelancer
• Fiverr
• PeoplePerHour
• Dribbble
• 99Designs
• AwesomeWeb
• Upwork

How do freelance graphic designers find work?

Freelance designers tend to find work by using the sites we have mentioned in this guide and building a solid, quality reputation. Eventually, web developers tend to build their own websites and market themselves that way — social media can certainly be a big help in this regard, too. Of course, if you focus on building great relationships with your audience, then you may find yourself getting lots of referrals, which can also be a huge boon for your business.

Remember, as a remote graphic designer, it isn’t just about the work that you put out, but the overall experience you provide for the client. Providing the best possible experience will help you to keep working in the long run. 

How do graphic designers get clients online?

Designers working remote graphic design jobs find clients online through sites like Upwork and Freelancer, or by building their own website and attracting clients that way. They also build strong relationships with their clients so they keep them coming back and get more referrals from them. Lastly, they also have a strong online portfolio they can showcase to potential clients.  

What does a visual designer do?

A visual designer is responsible for the creation of visually innovative and engaging products. This is a role where you will need to be able to bring product concepts to life. Although outside of the industry the terms “visual designer” and “graphic designer” are often used interchangeably, there are actually differences between them. 

Visual design was born out of a mixture of graphic design and user interface (UI) design. It focuses on the aesthetics of a website or any other type of digital design. While a visual designer is more likely to spend time working on websites and other digital designs, a graphic designer will often spend time working on things like product packaging, brochures, and magazines. 

How can I be a graphic designer?

In order to become a graphic designer, you need some basic knowledge of markup languages and exceptional drawing skills. You should also be able to find practical solutions to problems, as this is one of the biggest things that a graphic designer must do on a daily basis. 

You don’t need qualifications to be a graphic designer, although you can go to university and do courses if you wish. It is possible to teach yourself graphic design before marketing yourself as a designer, although it may be smarter to take some courses and workshops so that you’re well prepared to offer the best service to clients and market yourself appropriately.

There are courses you can take for beginners, intermediates, and advanced designers. You could potentially take on an internship to gain experience of the role and business to make sure this is something you would like to do. 

You may also choose to focus on a speciality, such as typography, desktop publishing, email blasts, logos, or something else that interests you. 

If you want to be a graphic designer, keep working hard, keep learning, and know how to market yourself effectively. 

Graphic designer vs web designer

People often wonder what the main differences between graphic designers and web designers are. In short, it is the medium that they use. 

People who choose the former often have more freedom as they are not restricted by programming, resolution, or speed. They tend to be able to work on various projects, both online and offline. As for the latter, these professionals have to balance a good design with responsiveness — hence why it’s more complex (a juggling act, per se).

Is This The Right Path For You To Take?

Remote graphic design jobs could be ideal for you if you are willing to work hard, you can find your own work, and you can motivate and market yourself accordingly. 

So, don’t waste any more time and start looking for your ideal remote designer job today!