How to succeed as a designer-maker

Earning a living through making and selling your own products may seem far-fetched, but it is absolutely possible. For freelancers looking to diversify their practice and make a little money on the side, boosting your design portfolio by transforming your illustrations into gift cards or creating your own pin badges can be a staple of being savvy in business.

Thanks to platforms such as Etsy and Not On The High Street, it's never been easier to turn your designs into real products – and find buyers for them, too. An online store can be yours, with minimal overheads. For other places to sell your wares, see our best places to sell design online roundup.

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Founder & director of Inkygoodness, Lisa is a published writer and arts journalist, focusing on creative business, graphic art and illustration and design education. Her words have appeared in Computer Arts magazine, Creative Bloq, Digital Arts and IdN.

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