Self-employed artists made up 62% of all employed artists in 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in order to make a livable income based solely on your own ability to manage a business and produce quality art, you will need to learn a whole new set of skills including client management, finance, entrepreneurship and advertising. Successful freelancers understand how to combine their own personal projects with projects that are specifically commissioned by clients. Otherwise, an artist will have to depend solely on customers purchasing their crafts, paintings, jewelry and designs without any contracts or client-artist relationship. Offering your artistic services to a client ahead of time, however, broadens your portfolio, introduces you to new outlets and contacts, and challenges you to create a piece based on someone else’s particular interests and needs. All kinds of artists can become freelancers, including those in the fine arts, graphic design industry, animation, writing, photography, crafts, fashion, and multimedia design.

Once you have made the decision to become a self-employed artist or designer, you may want to take a course, or at the very least, research the Internet, to learn about prioritizing, networking, computer skills and creating original content in a fast-paced world. No matter what kind of artist you are, an understanding of Internet research and basic digital design is necessary. Freelance artists often have their own blogs or websites that feature their portfolios and contact information, allowing them to find clients all over the world and market their talents to a network that is much bigger than their local community. Artists can also take advantage of social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo and others to direct friends to sites that feature their work or business information.

Besides networking, self-employed artists are responsible for client management, including setting up deadlines, contracts, payment and learning how to generate designs that will please a customer even if the artist’s personal tastes differ. On the other hand, artists also need to understand how to stick up for themselves and defend their integrity and work if a client violates a contract or skips out on payment. Make sure you always have a contract that specifically addresses deadline and payment issues. Since self-employed artists have no managers or supervisors to fall back on, they have to be responsible for all legal complaints and financial issues themselves.

Time management is another important skill that self-employed artists may need to get used to. Learn to prioritize client tasks, as well as your own business and personal projects without getting overwhelmed or working without any kind of break or vacation. At first, you may feel the need to secure as many clients as possible so that you aren’t struggling to pay your bills, but you also need to make sure you have enough time to complete each project so that your client is satisfied with the personal attention you devote to quality and customer relationships.

The key to becoming a successful self-employed artist or designer is to be organized and ambitious. In the first several years, you will be responsible for bringing in clients, developing relationships with vendors and other contacts, and marketing and selling all of your own work. Later, you may find that your reputation has gotten around, and clients will start seeking you out.

Top Online Programs

A.A. in Information Technology B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communications	University of Phoenix – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – The University of Phoenix prepares students for the rapidly evolving multi-million dollar industry of World Wide Web designing and interactive media. The programs offered at the institute teaches students everything from developing their skills in drawing and design to learning programming and scripting techniques.
B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communication A.A.S. in Information Technology	Kaplan University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Kaplan University offers a web design degree that could be completed in as few as 12 months. This allows students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace and be on their way to advancing in their career in web design.
B.F.A. in Web Design A.A.B.A. in Visual Communications B.F.A. in Digital Design	American InterContinental University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – For those interested in the exciting career of web design, American InterContinental Universitye will help them prepare with their staff of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who have had prior experience working in the web design industry. The program is a great choice for those seeking to pursue a career in web design, web development, graphic design, graphic art, or web publications designer.
A.S. in Web Design B.F.A. in Graphic Design B.A. in Fashion Merchandising	International Academy of Design & Technology – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Since 1977, the International Academy of Design and Technology Online has helped thousands of students prepare for a career in which their creativity and talents are respected and valued. Their affordable courses allow individuals with a passion for web design to advance in their career.
B.S. in Web Design & Multimedia B.S. in Visual Communications A.S. in Graphic Design & Multimedia	Westwood College – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – Westwood College's programs consists of courses in design theory, web design, imaging and advanced web technology to help students build valuable portfolios for potential employers. They offer their programs completely online, allowing flexibility for working individuals or individuals with other time contraints.
A.S. in Web Graphic Design B.C.I.S. in Web Development B.C.I.S. in Web Game Programming	DeVry University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – DeVry University has helped thousands of students apply practical skills to produce high-quality graphics and develop many types of graphic media. They are ideal for many students because of their affordable and convenient programs available online.
B.A. in Visual Communications B.A. in Art History	Ashford University – Bachelor's Degree - Dedicated to helping intellectual, professional, and creative individuals, Ashford University offers one of the best web design degrees online. Their web design courses are very convenient and achieveablefor students who have restricting schedules.
B.S. in Web Design A.S. in Web Design Diploma in Web Design	The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provides students with the opportunity to learn the latest software and programming applications to compete in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, web design industry. They place special emphasis on the practical application of web development skills and how to effectively use them for organizations.