How to Start a Web Design Side Job: From Beginner to Your First Project
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Category: Side Jobs, Work Styles
Authors: Shusaku Yosa
Are you thinking, "I want to start a web design side job, but can a beginner really land projects?" or "I don't know where to begin"? If you build your skills and proceed in the right order, you can aim to win projects even without experience. This article explains how to start a web design side job, following the flow from acquiring skills to building a portfolio and landing your first project. It is organized so that those taking their first step can move forward without getting lost.
A web design side job means creating designs for websites, ads, and more. First, let's look at what kinds of projects exist, along with a rough pay guide.
As a rough guide, a banner starts from a few thousand yen, while an LP or site production can be tens of thousands of yen or more per project. The more experience and skill you build, the more you can aim for higher-paying projects.
Even from scratch, you can handle projects by building up the following skills and tools little by little. You don't need everything to be perfect from the start.
We recommend starting with a design tool you can use for free, such as Figma. If you want to widen the range of projects you can take, consider standard tools like Photoshop and Illustrator as well.
If you proceed in the following order, you can smoothly reach project acquisition even as a beginner.
The key is not to stop at studying. Early on, actually create work and try applying to projects.
A portfolio is essential for a beginner to win projects. Even without work experience, you can convey your ability and motivation through your work.
Even without job experience, it's fine to include banners you made yourself or designs for fictional sites. Preparing several styles lets you show the range you can handle.
Briefly adding "who it was made for and what it aimed to achieve" conveys your design thinking. It shows that you can keep the purpose in mind, not just the appearance.
Once your portfolio is ready, it's finally time to win projects. Here are ways for a beginner to land their first one.
First, apply to small, beginner-friendly projects such as banner production on crowdsourcing sites. The barrier to applying is low, making it an easy place to build your first track record and ratings.
Listing a service such as "I'll make your banners" on a skill marketplace lets you receive requests. You can turn your strengths into work by leading with what you're good at.
Posting your work on SNS such as X can attract inquiries from companies or individuals who like your style. Continuous posting can become the spark for an unexpected project.
While you're inexperienced, prioritize building a track record and ratings over high pay. As good reviews accumulate, they lead to the next project and to higher pay.
Yes. By learning the basics, preparing a portfolio, and building a track record from beginner-friendly projects, you can come to earn even without experience. We recommend starting with small projects such as banners and gradually expanding to higher-paying ones.
It varies by person, but reaching a level where you can handle the basics and tools and apply to simple projects is roughly a few months as a guide. Progressing with work creation and applications alongside your study can shorten the time to landing projects.
While inexperienced, crowdsourcing sites and skill marketplaces are easy to start with and recommended. Once you're used to it, increasing ongoing work through SNS posting and direct requests helps stabilize your income.
A web design side job lets you aim to win projects even from scratch, by following the steps of learning design basics and tools, preparing a portfolio, and building a track record from beginner-friendly projects. The key to success is to prioritize track record over pay at first and gradually expand from small projects. Start with basic study and creating work, and take a step you can manage today.

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