How to become a template designer

Is becoming a template designer right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do template designers do?

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How to become a Template Designer

Becoming a template designer involves developing design skills, learning the right tools, and building a portfolio to showcase your work. Here are some general steps to get started:

  • Learn Design Basics: Start by learning the principles of design—such as layout, color theory, typography, and user experience. You can take online courses, watch tutorials, or study design books to build a strong foundation.
  • Master Design Software: Get comfortable using tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Figma, or Canva. These programs are essential for creating professional-looking templates for websites, presentations, social media, and more.
  • Choose a Niche: Decide what kind of templates you want to create. Common options include social media templates, website layouts, business cards, resumes, or digital planners. Focusing on a niche helps you stand out.
  • Create a Portfolio: Design sample templates and organize them into a portfolio. This will help potential clients or customers see your style and capabilities. You can display your work on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or your own website.
  • Sell or Share Your Work: You can sell your templates on marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market, or your personal website. If you work with clients directly, offer custom template design services based on their needs.
  • Keep Learning and Improving: Stay updated with design trends, explore new tools, and always look for ways to improve your templates. Strong attention to detail and good customer feedback can help your work grow over time.

Formal Training
Formal training is not always required to become a template designer, but it can be very helpful. Many template designers learn through online courses, tutorials, and hands-on practice. Formal education, such as a degree or certificate in graphic design, visual communication, or interactive media, can provide a strong foundation in design principles and software skills. However, building a strong portfolio and staying updated with design trends are equally important for success in this field.

Helpful Resources
Here are some useful resources for template designers to learn, create, and sell their work:

  • Canva: A beginner-friendly platform with thousands of customizable templates for social media, resumes, and more.
  • Figma: A collaborative design tool ideal for creating digital interface templates like websites and apps.
  • Templett: A platform to create and sell printable templates for events such as weddings and baby showers.
  • Design Bundles: Offers free and paid templates, graphics, and fonts for various creative projects.
  • Free Design Resources: A curated site sharing high-quality free templates, fonts, and mockups.
  • Microsoft Designer: An AI-powered tool that helps users quickly create beautiful designs using built-in templates.
  • Toools.design: A collection of design resources including templates, icons, and illustrations.
  • Resource Boy: Provides free mockups, fonts, graphics, and Photoshop add-ons.
  • Shillington Design Blog: Offers tutorials, design tips, and roundups of the best free tools and resources for designers.