Side Hustles for Creatives: How Designers and Artists Can Find Extra Income

21 August 2025

Let’s be real for a minute—being a designer or artist is more than just a job. It’s who you are. You've probably had paint on your clothes or spent late nights squinting at a screen tweaking a design pixel by pixel. That creative itch? It doesn’t clock out at 5 PM. But let’s talk dollars and cents: being creatively fulfilled is amazing, but wouldn’t a little extra income make things even better?

Whether you're a freelance illustrator, a graphic designer with a day job, or a fine artist looking for more consistent income, there are tons of side hustle opportunities that actually align with your creative skills. And the best part? They don’t have to suck the life out of you.

So if you’re ready to make your talents work double time (without burning out), keep reading because we’re diving into real, creative-friendly side hustles that can put a little (or a lot) more cash in your pocket.

Why Side Hustles Make Sense for Creatives

Let’s face it: the creative industry isn’t always, well, stable. One month you’re swamped with work, the next you’re wondering if your inbox is broken. That’s where side hustles come in handy. They smooth out the income bumps, give you more control, and sometimes even become your main gig down the road.

And here’s the kicker—not all side hustles are boring, time-sucking, soul-crushing grinds. Spoiler alert: some of them are actually fun. Weird, right?

1. Sell Digital Art or Design Assets

Passive income is the holy grail of side hustles, and selling digital assets is one of the easiest ways to get there.

What Can You Sell?

- Printables (wall art, planners, calendars)
- Fonts and custom typography
- Procreate brushes or Photoshop actions
- Design templates (think resumes, social media kits, pitch decks)

Where to Sell It?

- Etsy
- Creative Market
- Gumroad
- Design Bundles

It might take some upfront work, but once it’s online, you can make money in your sleep. Literally.

2. Start a Print-on-Demand Store

Don’t have a garage full of t-shirts to sell? No problem. With print-on-demand (POD), you just upload your designs and let a third-party handle the printing, packing, and shipping.

What You Can Design:

- T-shirts, hoodies, and hats
- Mugs and tote bags
- Phone cases, notebooks, stickers

Platforms to Try:

- Redbubble
- Society6
- Teespring
- Printful (connects with Shopify or Etsy)

It’s the easiest way to turn your art into physical products without the inventory headaches.

3. Freelance on the Side

This one’s a no-brainer. If you’re already working as a creative, why not pick up some freelance gigs on the side? The key is choosing projects you actually want to do.

Best Places to Find Work:

- Upwork (great for long-term projects)
- Fiverr (perfect for smaller gigs)
- Toptal (for high-end clients)
- Behance (yes, clients browse here too)
- Instagram or LinkedIn (network smarter, not harder)

Make sure your portfolio is fire and keep your rates fair but not cheap. You’re not a vending machine—you’re a creative professional.

4. Offer Online Courses or Tutorials

If you’ve mastered a skill, why not teach it? People are always searching for how to draw, design, paint, animate—you name it.

Where to Teach:

- Skillshare
- Udemy
- Teachable (build your own course)
- YouTube (yep, ad revenue and sponsorships are very real)

It takes effort to build a course, but once it’s up, it can be a steady passive income stream. And trust me, it feels amazing watching someone say, “I learned this from you!”

5. Sell Your Work As NFTs (If You’re Into That)

Okay, okay—this isn’t for everyone. But if you’re digitally inclined and curious about Web3, NFTs might be the hustle for you.

Pros:

- Create limited-edition digital pieces
- Be part of a new creative economy
- Potential for high earnings

Cons:

- It's volatile
- You’ll need to understand crypto wallets, gas fees, and blockchain basics

Want to try it? Start with platforms like OpenSea, Foundation, or Rarible. Just do your research first. It’s the Wild West out there.

6. Start a Creative Blog or YouTube Channel

This one’s more of a long game, but it can pay off big-time. A blog or YouTube channel can grow into a legit income stream through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product sales.

What Can You Create Content About?

- Tutorials and how-tos
- Creative lifestyle tips
- Behind-the-scenes of your process
- Reviews of tools and software

If you show up consistently and provide value, your audience (and income) will grow in time. Just pick a niche you’re passionate about and stick with it.

7. Offer Coaching or Creative Mentorship

Think about how much you’ve learned over the years. Now ask yourself—could you help someone else skip a few of those bumps in the road?

Who Needs Your Help?

- New designers or artists
- Freelancers who are just getting started
- Students preparing for art school or creative careers

You don’t need to be a guru to teach what you know. You just need to be a few steps ahead.

8. Make Money With Stock Design or Photography

Have a backlog of unused illustrations, icons, photos, or textures? Don’t let them sit on your hard drive collecting digital dust.

Where to Sell:

- Shutterstock
- Adobe Stock
- iStock
- Alamy

It’s not crazy money upfront, but over time, it adds up. Especially if you consistently upload high-quality, in-demand content.

9. Collaborate with Other Creatives

Two heads (and imaginations) are better than one. Find other creatives and co-create a product or service you can both promote and benefit from.

Ideas for Collaboration:

- Coffee table books
- Zines or art journals
- Online workshops
- Limited-edition merch lines

Plus, collaborating is a great way to grow your network, reach new audiences, and maybe—just maybe—have some fun along the way.

10. Offer Done-for-You Creative Services

If you're great at delivering high-value results fast, this is for you. People pay a premium for fast, professional work.

Examples:

- Branding packages
- Website designs
- Custom illustrations
- Podcast graphics

Create a few service packages, set clear boundaries, and be super upfront with timelines. Trust me—it saves so many headaches.

Quick Pro Tips for Side Hustle Success

Alright, now that you’re pumped full of ideas, here are a few golden rules to help those side hustles thrive:

1. Time Management = Everything

You’ve only got 24 hours. Make sure your side hustle doesn’t eat your entire life. Use tools like Trello or Notion to stay on track.

2. Don’t Undersell Yourself

Seriously. Charge what you’re worth. You’re an artist, not a “cheap version of Canva.”

3. Build an Online Presence

Even if you’re introverted AF, you need a website or at least a portfolio. People need to see what you can do.

4. Keep Things Fun

This is your side hustle—not a punishment. If it makes you dread opening your laptop, pivot. There’s a sweet spot where passion meets profit, and that’s where the magic happens.

Final Thoughts: Your Creative Superpower = Income Potential

Here’s the big takeaway: you already have the skills—probably more than you realize. The challenge isn’t “can I make extra money?” It’s deciding which of your many talents to lean into.

You don’t have to pick just one hustle. Start with one that feels fun or manageable, then let it grow. Bit by bit, it adds up. Some hustles might flop (that's okay), some might fly—and who knows, your side gig might just become your main gig someday.

You're not just creative—you’re resourceful, adaptable, and resilient. Use that to your advantage and turn your passion into profit. After all, creativity isn’t just a calling. It’s also a currency.