Let’s face it; human beings are visual. A study by MIT confirms that 90% of information goes into your brain by visual consumption. Beyond that, 65% of people around the world are mostly visual learners. As though that is not enough, other studies suggest that you are likely to remember, 65% of the information presented in the form of an image as opposed to 10% of what you hear. No wonder there is a lot of fuss about freelance infographic designers.
Why mention these statistics? Because marketers and businesses are aware of the secret and want more infographics in their presentations. Currently, companies are looking for exceptional, infographic designer skills to enhance the firm’s marketing and presentation strategies.
Therefore, if you are thinking of becoming a freelance infographic designer, you are on your way to joining one of the most lucrative careers of the future. Before you think that this just a trendy hype of the profession, just take a look at the following:
- Only 49% of businesses create infographics internally. The remaining 51% rely on freelancers.
- 37% of businesses are looking for original infographics. Moreover, companies are tired of downloading templates and making similar-looking presentations often.
Can you see now that being a freelance infographic designer isn’t just a casual career path?
Now, to be on the same page, let’s understand who we are talking about when we mention a freelance infographic designer.
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What is a Freelance Infographics Designer?
Let’s start with the most straightforward and apparent words: Freelance and Designer.
A freelance skill or talent works on a gig by gig basis. Thus, freelancers forfeit monthly-salary employment for a chance to work with multiple clients on their turf.
Caution: Do not be scared by the lack of a monthly salary. Presentation designers and writers are some of the highest-paid freelancers in 2020, earning an average of 100k annually.
On the other hand, a designer is a person who plans the outline or the concept of a project. In this case, they will be envisioning and designing projects and processes.
Now let’s get to the gist of the matter: Infographic
Infographics are visual representations of data or information. The charts save presenters time and resources because the data is easier to understand. It is also easier to see relationships between entities like processes or objects on infographics. Remember, such presentations should be enjoyable and memorable.
So, who is a freelance infographic designer? It is an individual offering infographic design services on a need basis. The freelance tag gives one a chance to work for clients in other continents, cities, and states. Moreover, it is one of the most exciting experiences since you will handle diverse projects that stretch your imagination.
Despite the freelance infographic designer career sounding interesting, is it that easy?
Let’s take a look at what it takes to be an infographic designer to have an understandable answer.
What Do You Need To Be A Top Infographic Designer?
An infographic designer requires two crucial skills.
- IT Knowledge
- Drawing Skills
An infographic designer uses computers and software when working on projects. It explains the need for basic IT knowledge. With IT skills, you to will work faster on computers and the other devices used in drawing the infographics.
Likewise, drawing skills are necessary too. Infographics use objects like charts, clip arts, SmartArt, and shapes. Therefore, your work will be to organize these objects to represent ideas and processes. Since infographics aid in simplifying presentations, your creativity and drawing skills must also help to streamline the most sophisticated approach.
A freelancer infographic designer does not require a college degree. They can learn using online tutorials and still produce captivating infographics. However, a basic graphic design course will do you a lot of good. It introduces one to principles of design like color, space, balance, alignment, among others. The course is a stepping stone towards becoming a professional infographics designer.
Being in the creative industry, you’ll need some special soft skills that will turn you into a badass infographic designer in town.
Soft Skills Needed by a Freelance Infographic Designer
- Creativity– a creative designer, makes basic ideas interesting to follow. Creativity also helps to simplify ideas without losing meaning or missing some of the concepts. Ultimately, it is through creativity that you produce compelling, memorable, and accurate infographics.
- Problem-Solver– infographics are useful in reducing presentation time and eliminating the need for too many words. You should, therefore, discuss the ideas with your client before creating the graphics. Already, they expect that your graphics will solve his presentation problems.
- Simplicity– can you explain how to go to the moon using one image and two words? If so, then you are on your way to becoming a winning infographic designer. You must see ideas and processes in the simplest way possible.
- Active Listener- presentations are particular; thus, any mistake could lead to either enormous losses or confusion. Since the client does not sit with you through the design, you must understand their instructions and execute them accurately on the infographic. Failure to listen will result in errors and expensive revisions.
- Proactive– clients are looking for the next best arts, graphics, and presentation software, among other futuristic ideas. They will come to you for solutions to make their presentations better. You must proactively look for solutions that will win the confidence of your clients.
It takes a lot of practice to master infographic design skills. You should probably begin with simple ideas that involve a few valuables before going for the complex infographic presentations. Beyond the performance of infographics on paper, adding 3D elements must be considered too. Other aspects of interest include the animation of infographics which turns them into videos.
Do you think you have the perfect skill combination to work as an infographics designer? Then let’s get you your dream job!
We will start by creating the best resume for an infographic designer.
Let’s begin.
Creating a Winning Freelance Infographic Designer Resume
A resume usually dictates your chances of getting hired. The information you put into the resume should appeal to potential clients or dissuade them from not hiring you. Now, since you are looking for an infographics gig, the presentation of your resume will make or break your chances.
Fortunately, the internet is awash with the latest freelance infographic designer templates. However, the best outline must highlight your skills, making you more attractive to potential clients.
Vital information to Include in a Resume
- Training- while you can learn infographics design without enrolling in any college, most clients gain confidence when they see formal training on your resume. It will make it easier to convince them to award the project. In case you want to train online, it is advisable to obtain certification from formally recognized institutions to streamline your skills.
- Experience- a freelancer infographics designer gets better with practice. You’ll learn new tricks to help work faster and deliver projects timely. The resume should, therefore, capture your years of experience. Don’t forget that the experience will be believable if there is evidence. Kindly include previous projects and references who can ascertain your capability.
- Expertise- do not confuse experience with knowledge. Expertise means an area where you mostly excel. Are you good at designing infographics for presentations or processes? Have you mastered a particular software? Are you good at 3D infographics? Such information distinguishes you from ordinary designers because you can offer more value.
- Portfolio- include samples of your previous works. A collection is a documentation of proof that you can do whatever you claim to be an expert in doing. Therefore, portfolios are worth more than an essay on your skills and competence.
Start sending resumes to potential clients whenever you are bidding for an infographic contract. It is one of the ways to land yourself clients.
The other way to get clients involves scrolling through search engines while looking for freelance infographic design for hire captions.
Henceforth, as a designer, you’ll have to create an online profile showing your skills and competence.
The Online Profile For Freelance Infographic Designers
An online profile is similar to a billboard, only that this time it is online. It helps capture the attention of clients who turn to the internet for infographic design services.
By having an authentic online profile, it aids in capturing the attention of potential clients from different cities, states, and continents.
You can create an online profile on two types of platforms.
- An Individual Website– This platform is the best if you are an already established freelance infographic designer looking to expand. Customize The website is to reflect the services you offer, personal details, and a portfolio of past projects. Remember, you’ll be sending clients to the site whenever you are bidding for a project. Furthermore, they might come across the website during their online search for an infographic designer. A personal website gives you the liberty to enter any details you think will boost your chances of getting a client plus adhering to search engine algorithms.
- Freelance websites for infographic designers– these websites bring together freelancers in different fields: including writing, graphics design, web design, infographic design, among other professions. Moreover, the details to enter on your profile are already predetermined. Note that it is easier to get clients from freelancing websites because they already know that you are waiting.
Information to Include in the Resume
Building an online profile for infographic design freelancers on your website or freelancing platforms follows the same rules. The bottom line is to make the profile as attractive as possible to capture the imagination of potential clients.
Here are crucial details to include in the profile.
- Infographic Related Keywords and Phrases- since online searches employ the use of keywords. These include words and phrases that make it easier for search engines and clients to land at your profile.
- Skills And Competence– tell potential clients what you can do. Justify those skills using certificates and samples of previous projects.
- Samples Of Your Work- a portfolio of previous projects is the best demonstration of your skills. Ultimately, they will save you the trouble of explaining your competence, plus making your career experiences more believable.
- Contact Information- how can the potential clients get to you for quotations and more inquiry? Provide phone numbers, website links, social media, physical addresses, and any other relevant information you think will make it easier to contact you.
- Cost- though each project is unique, an idea of the cost/hour will help the potential client to make a decision.
Wrapping up
A successful career in freelance infographic design depends on your marketing strategy. Once you have sharpened your skills, take internships to gain experience, and to build networks for future jobs. Furthermore, learn as much software as possible: It will be necessary to make you a competitive designer. Also, expose your skills by creating online profiles on your website or freelancing platforms.
Once you capture your first client, deliver the best quality infographics, and then request for a referral. Remember, build on your experience and learn the latest design tricks to remain a potent infographic designer in the industry.
