Can Graphic Design be a Hobby? The Definitive Answer

Many artists are fascinated by the idea of graphic design. In addition to artistic ability and creativity, it is the type of activity that requires careful thought, a good eye for detail, and the ability to look at what you create through the eyes of your intended audience to create something which draws them in. While many people consider it as an intended career, is it possible for graphic design to be a hobby?

Yes, graphic design can be a hobby. While there is an advantage to going to school and receiving formal training, particularly if you want to have a career in graphic design, having it as a hobby can be a source of great fun and help you build useful skills.

While you may not ever make money from graphic design, honing the skill of creative thinking and effectively communicating messages can be incredibly beneficial to many aspects of your life. If you would like more details about the benefits of having graphic design as a hobby, and some places and resources to get you started on your journey, keep reading!

What Are the Benefits of Having Graphic Design as a Hobby?

If you are still unsure about whether to invest your time and energy into graphic design as a hobby, that is okay. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that you may not be aware of to help you decide whether to pursue it or not.

It Builds Many Skills

As mentioned before, there are multiple skills that you develop in graphic design that can benefit you in other areas of your life. A few of these include:

  • Idea generation. Being able to come up with many ideas is key to honing on the one that is right for you and your project.
  • Technology skills. Graphic designers become familiar with and can effectively use not only such programs as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop but programming languages like HTML and CSS. These are great skills to put on a resume and are skills that many potential employers appreciate.
  • Typography. Knowing how certain fonts, colors, and shapes interact and the kind of mood they create is key to creating an appealing design.

It is a Great Way to Network

Being able to connect with other artists and like-minded people is always a great thing. There are different online groups such as CebuXD where you can participate in exhibits or even have in-person meet-ups with other graphic designers and artists in your area. This creates ample opportunity to build friendships and collaborate on projects together for fun.

Even though you may not be making money with your graphic design, creating connections and friendships is valuable on a personal level and for future potential projects. Plus, getting feedback on your work from other artists is always a great way to improve and hone your skills.

How Do I Get Started?

If you have read enough to convince yourself that graphic design would a great hobby, you might be wondering where exactly to start. The website, Placeit.net, is a great starting point for newbies to graphic design. They have hundreds of templates for you to choose from, whether your focus is on designs, logos, videos, or gaming. They also have a mockup section where you can try a variety of options before making a final decision.

If you do not have a lot of money to spare, you can create a free account that grants access to an image cropper, video cropper, and video to gif converter, as well as many videos, designs, logos, and mockups. For unlimited access to everything on the website, you can buy a subscription for $14.95 a month or $89.69 a year.

Conclusion

While many people pursue graphic design as a career, it can be worth it to have it as a hobby, as well. Learning about graphic design has many benefits. Some of these benefits are practical and include learning the ins and outs of different creative programs like photoshop, as well as learning coding languages like HTML. Another great benefit is the ability to connect with other artists and build friendships.

It may be a little overwhelming to figure out where to start with a new hobby like graphic design. One great resource is Placeit.net, where you can create a free account that gives you access to photo and video cropping tools, as well as access to some templates and mockups. You can also buy a subscription that gives you unlimited access for $89.69 a year. Either way, you will have a great resource to build up your hobby in graphic design.