I'm a graphic designer getting into the web and I was wondering how to convince someone to let me design their site. I'm interested in pad gigs but I know sometimes pro bono is a good route for experience. I have read numerous articles but they just are not saying anything that I feel can help. Word of mouth doesn't help someone that is socially awkward, has no friends, and family that just does not really believe in them. I have been working on my social anxiety and i'm getting better. Will my own website be enough even though it only showcases my graphic designs? What will a web portfolio consists of without sites? Could I create templates and show those and will that be enough?
If your skill set is limited to just graphics then you are going to have a hard time working directly wioth the client, because good designers need to have enough coding skills to understand what the developers are going to have to do to implement the design. You could develop a serious of graphics designs and promote them to small developers as they frequently contract out the graphics part of major site design. If you can get some of that contract work it will give you some content for your portfolio. One final bit of advice If you have problems with social skills and communicating you need to spend time working for someone else where you will have the chance to develop the skills in a more controlled setting. Trying to do your own business when you are having issues with socializing and communicating is a recipe for failure which will make things worse. You need to set yourself up for success, not failure.
First of all you must decide what you exactly want to do. You must be sure that your website will be interesting and useful for others, site that only showcases your graphic designs isn't enough. Good luck to you and believe in yourself
A graphic designer is responsible for creating design solutions that have a high visual impact. The role involves listening to clients and understanding their needs before making design decisions.
Portfolio is very important. If somebody wants to hire designer - he looking for portfolio in first place. Get few good works into your portfolio and then start promoting yourself through freelance sites or forums.
Before asking money for a custom design, you need to explain your skills and how much good you are. So a website showcasing your ideas or pro bono past works, explaining why you have made those choices and the goals of the designs.
No, if it's only showcasing your graphic skills then it is not enough...yeah you should create templates to get your feet wet but it probably wouldn't get you paid gig online, but maybe people you know in locally could use you if you tell them you can make websites and give them your url. Word of mouth usually is how people get started. Also you can look in the crowd sourcing websites and design/develop using a client's brief, not for you to win the design but just to get some practices in, that's the challenge, creating a website on someone else's brief, your own template will keep you in your comfort zone but when a client request certain features/functions and you have to create a solution, that will enhance your skills. Good luck.
Thanks I have been thinking about doing pro bono and I do have templates but have not showcased them because I figure it is not enough