This blog post is mainly aimed at students who want to start their own freelance design business. Starting a graphic design business doesn't involve a lot of start-up costs. You can be an effective designer without having expensive equipment. Here is the bare minimum you need to start your design business in South Africa.
Invest in a quality chair. Don't buy something cheap because you don't want back aches at the end of the day. You also need a desk/table that's big enough.
When starting out it's best to buy a desktop computer because they are cheaper. However, if you have the money you can buy a laptop (affiliate link). Laptops are lighter and easier to carry around, but you will pay more for a laptop than a desktop with the same specs.
Many designers use Macs but I personally prefer PCs because they are cheaper and most people in South Africa use PCs anyway. I know Macs look super cool, but when you start out you need to try to save money, not buy an expensive Mac just because it looks cool.
If you can't afford a new computer now, upgrade your existing computer with more RAM, a bigger hard drive, or whatever it is you need.
Most designers use the Adobe Creative Suite. All you will need now is Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. But CorelDraw is very popular in South Africa because it's cheaper than Illustrator, plus you can use it for layout as well. So the bare minimum you need is CorelDraw and Photoshop.
If you can't afford to buy these all new, do what I did: search for the programs on Ebay or BidorBuy and try to win an auction.
If you do web design you will also need a text editor like Notepad ++. It's free and it colour codes your code.
You will also need a word processor and a spreadsheet program. You can start off with Open Office or Libre Office, which are open source software. You can type your letters in the word processor and do your invoices in the spreadsheet program.
How to effectively organize, manage and maintain your freelance design business
Starting a web design business
Starting a freelance design business
Is there anything I've left out? Please leave a comment!
Desk and chair
Invest in a quality chair. Don't buy something cheap because you don't want back aches at the end of the day. You also need a desk/table that's big enough.
Computer
Many designers use Macs but I personally prefer PCs because they are cheaper and most people in South Africa use PCs anyway. I know Macs look super cool, but when you start out you need to try to save money, not buy an expensive Mac just because it looks cool.
If you can't afford a new computer now, upgrade your existing computer with more RAM, a bigger hard drive, or whatever it is you need.
Software
If you can't afford to buy these all new, do what I did: search for the programs on Ebay or BidorBuy and try to win an auction.
If you do web design you will also need a text editor like Notepad ++. It's free and it colour codes your code.
You will also need a word processor and a spreadsheet program. You can start off with Open Office or Libre Office, which are open source software. You can type your letters in the word processor and do your invoices in the spreadsheet program.
Internet connection
There are many options including a 3G or wireless connections. Start with 1GB cap per month or so and see if it is enough for you. If you can't afford Internet right now, go to an Internet cafe or coffee shops with wireless connections.
E-mail account
When you start becoming busier you will need to write down deadlines in a planner. You can also put up a calendar on your wall. You also need a notebook to jot down ideas, make to-do lists and to make sketches.
More resources
Setting up the optimal work environmentHow to effectively organize, manage and maintain your freelance design business
Starting a web design business
Starting a freelance design business
Is there anything I've left out? Please leave a comment!
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