20 Creative Design Related Business Ideas You Can Start Today
Looking to start a design related business but not quite sure what to start?
First, you'll need to identify a niche.
The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.
We put together 20 creative design business ideas you can start today:
1. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
2. Develop a restaurant menu online designer tool
Crafting restaurant menus has never been more critical, and now there's a tool to make it both easy and engaging—an online restaurant menu designer. This intuitive platform allows restaurateurs to design, update, and publish their menus with minimal hassle.
Picture transforming your restaurant’s presentation with a few clicks—choosing templates, adjusting layouts, adding images, and tweaking descriptions, all in real-time. Your menu can evolve as quickly as your culinary inspirations, without printing delays or costs.
Not just for tech-savvy individuals, this tool is designed for anyone who wants to bring creativity and efficiency to their restaurant’s marketing efforts. You'll save both time and money, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable dining experiences.
If you’re eyeing a business idea that harmonizes creativity, tech, and the ever-growing food industry, this online menu designer tool is worth your attention.
How much you can make: $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)
MustHaveMenus is a cloud-based design and print service for restaurants that allows them to quickly create professional menus and marketing materials in just a few clicks, using templates and an easy-to-use editor, making it a one-stop-shop for all their design needs.
3. Start an online video editing business
Video editors manage camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to produce the final film or video product. To become an online video editor, you must have media production and communication knowledge and the ability to work with others.
To start a video editing business, you can outsource video editing skills from an experienced professional. Your role will be to pick video footage from the customers and upload them for the video editor to do the magic.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
VEED.IO, a London-based start-up co-founded by Sabba and her partner, offers a simple online video editing platform using batch job cloud architecture to help social media managers across the world auto subtitle, filter, rotate videos and much more, earning the company $5,300 MRR and the founders Ramen profitability within just a year of starting.
4. Start an event design business
Attention to detail and creativity are the cornerstones of a successful event design business. Imagine transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. An event design business specializes in conceptualizing and delivering visually stunning environments for various occasions—from weddings and corporate events to private parties and product launches.
Setting up this business entails understanding client needs, artistic vision, and meticulous planning. You'll work with venues, suppliers, and clients to bring unique themes to life through décor, lighting, and layout.
This venture offers the satisfaction of seeing your creativity manifest in memorable, impactful events. As event design becomes more sought-after, your services can stand out in a growing market. Starting an event design business allows you to blend artistic flair with strategic execution, making each project a work of art intertwined with practical logistics.
How much you can make: $774 — $108,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,367 (?)
How long does it take to build: 160 days (?)
Spacehuntr achieved a +700% growth in 2019 with revenues, despite the global pandemic, on track to match that growth in 2020, by launching a 360° platform for businesses to book and manage unique Work, Play & Stay spaces, catering to international corporations such as Airbnb, Netflix, and Uber.
5. Start a digital subscription business
Digital subscription models have become increasingly popular over the last few years. These businesses can offer anything from online courses to software, digital downloads, or access to content.
Customers typically pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to content, products, and services.
This typically involves some form of recurring billing where the consumer is billed at a predetermined interval for as long as they continue using the service.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.
6. Start a design podcast
Design podcasts offer a unique blend of creativity and insight for audiences passionate about design. Starting a design podcast involves crafting episodes that delve into various design domains—graphic, interior, web, and more—providing insights, trends, and guest interviews.
Your role is to research industry topics, create engaging content, and regularly upload episodes. Building a following requires consistent marketing on social media, collaborating with guest designers, and possibly attending design events for fresh ideas and networking.
Monetization can come from sponsorships, premium content subscriptions, and promoting your own design services or products. With the demand for niche, high-quality content growing, a well-executed design podcast can establish you as an authority in the design world and create multiple revenue streams. If you have a passion for design and a knack for communication, this venture could be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor.
How much you can make: $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
A podcast and community creator who loves designing board games shares how he started the 'Board Game Design Lab', with his small niche community of around 8,000 people generating $10,000 per month in revenue through consistent quality content and customer focus, with plans to grow online courses and publications for game creators.
7. Become a tee shirt designer
Have you always had a passion for fashion and creativity? Well, then the field of tee shirt design could be the perfect opportunity for you!
As a tee shirt designer, you would be responsible for fitting model garments, ensuring size uniformity, and using your design and aesthetic skills to create unique and eye-catching tee shirts that will captivate your customers’ attention.
With this exciting career, you’ll have the chance to let your creativity run wild and make a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Designious co-founder Alex Dumitru shares how the graphic design library generates $12-13k in monthly revenue by creating digital products that appeal to print-on-demand entrepreneurs and graphic designers, while also offering a flat-rate membership and useful resources that solve little problems.
8. Become a costume designer
A costume designer designs costumes for a film, stage production, or television show. The costume designer works with directors, producers, writers, and production designers to contribute to the look and storytelling of the film. As a costume designer, you will work to ensure costume choices not only fit the character but also enhance the overall feeling of the scenes involved.
The costume designer must showcase creative imagination skills to perform on the job. You can earn creativity skills through professional development or higher education.
9. Start a designer lamp shades business
10. Start a hat designing business
Want to blend creativity with commerce? Consider a hat designing business.
This venture involves creating unique, custom hats and selling them online or through boutique stores. You can cater to fashion-forward individuals looking for one-of-a-kind pieces or businesses needing branded hats for promotional events.
To get started, you need sketching skills and an understanding of different materials. You'll also need to forge relationships with manufacturers who can produce your designs at scale. The internet is your showcase; platforms like Etsy or a dedicated ecommerce site can help you reach your audience.
Customization and exclusive designs can set you apart in a crowded market. If you’re someone with a flair for fashion and a knack for business, this could be your niche. With careful planning and a unique design approach, your hat designs could become a staple in wardrobes everywhere.
How much you can make: $2,000/month
Snappies hats, made with leather and brass instead of traditional plastic straps, have helped to plant thousands of trees in the US; Facebook ads, lookalike audiences and retargeting campaigns helped to find customers, while a Shopify store provided a professional looking outlet and Reddit offered information from subforums such as r/entrepreneur.
11. Start a logo designing business
Creative logo design plays a critical role in getting brand recognition. Thus, startup owners ensure they have an outstanding logo that defines their professional assurance amongst customers. Do you have excellent art and design skills? Starting a logo design company can be a rewarding business idea. You can outsource a logo design service or do it yourself.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $275,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Content writing company 411Writers started with $13.99 and now generates over $50,000 revenue per month, providing clients with unique website content for both search engines and human readers.
12. Start a machine building and design agency
Imagine playing a vital role in the production of everyday items. Starting a machine building and design agency could make that a reality. At its core, this business concept centers around designing and creating machines for various industries.
Your firm would harness engineering expertise to build machines that can manufacture products, carry out complex tasks, and enhance manufacturing processes. The unique aspect of this business is the mix of creativity, engineering prowess, and technological knowledge it involves.
This business idea offers you a chance to shape the industries of tomorrow. The potential to build bespoke machines adapted to specific operational requirements sets a machine building and design agency apart in the industrial landscape. It's the ideal venture to explore if you have a penchant for problem-solving, mechanical design and harbour an entrepreneurial spirit.
To make this idea a reality, an understanding of mechanical engineering, strong problem-solving skills, and a team that shares your vision is crucial. So gear up and start designing for the future.
13. Start a packaging design business
Packaging design is an integral aspect of the manufacturing and supply chain industries. Manufacturers and those in the supply chain want to ensure they get the product packaging right, or else poor packaging might affect their business.
Take advantage of the high demand for innovative packaging designers and start your own packaging design business. Your target customers will be brands seeking an innovative and interesting way to stand out and create an amazing customer experience through unique packaging.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Frontier Label started as a small digital label printing company with a basic HP printer and has grown to a $12M yearly e-commerce business that prints labels for companies of all sizes in various industries, with a focus on finding and meeting customer needs through SEO, content marketing, and exceptional customer service.
14. Start a throw pillow designing business
A throw pillow designing business involves creating decorative pillows that can add comfort, color, and personality to a room. The business typically involves creating unique designs, selecting fabrics and materials, and producing finished products.
To run a successful throw pillow designing business, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind:
Develop a unique and cohesive design aesthetic: Creating a distinct and consistent design style will help your business stand out in the market and attract repeat customers.
Source high-quality materials: The quality of your materials will have a significant impact on the final product, so it’s essential to invest in fabrics and fillings that are durable and comfortable.
Stay on trend: Keeping up with current design trends will help your business stay relevant and attract new customers.
Invest in marketing: Marketing your business and products is crucial to attracting new customers and driving sales. Use social media, email marketing, and other online platforms to promote your products.
Offer excellent customer service: Providing excellent customer service is key to building a loyal customer base and maintaining a positive reputation. Respond to customer inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Following these tips can create a successful and sustainable throw pillow designing business.
15. Become a game animation designer
Game animation design isn't merely art; it's bringing virtual worlds to life. As a game animation designer, you’ll be responsible for animating characters, environments, and effects for video games. Through a blend of creativity and technical skill, you'll transform static images into dynamic, engaging experiences.
What makes this an enticing career choice is the sheer demand for immersive animations within the booming gaming industry. Game developers are always on the lookout for talented animators who can make characters move fluidly and environments feel alive.
Starting in this field requires a strong portfolio, proficiency in tools like Blender or Maya, and a deep understanding of storytelling through movement. It’s a demanding yet rewarding career, offering the satisfaction of seeing your creations interactively enjoyed by players worldwide. For those passionate about animation and gaming, becoming a game animation designer can be a fulfilling path that merges artistry with technology.
How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 257 days (?)
An Indian video game development company, Zatun, founded in 2007, has collaborated on over 200 game titles with 300 clients, winning numerous awards and rave reviews globally and generating a monthly revenue of $25k, by focusing on innovation, experience, and customer retention.
16. Start a marijuana dispensary design business
17. Start a paper crafts designing business
A paper crafts designing business involves creating handmade items such as greeting cards, invitations, scrapbook layouts, and other decorative items using paper and other materials. It is a business that allows creativity and imagination to flow as entrepreneurs design and create unique and personalized items for their clients.
To start a paper craft designing business, entrepreneurs must have a good eye for aesthetics and a solid attention to detail. They will also need to be proficient in various crafting tools such as scissors, glue, and punches.
To run a successful paper craft designing business, entrepreneurs should focus on building a solid brand and marketing their products effectively. This can be done through social media, online marketplaces, and participating in local craft fairs and events. It is also essential to continuously learn new techniques and stay updated on the latest trends in the industry.
In addition, good customer service, working efficiently, and meeting deadlines are crucial for the success of paper crafts designing business. It is also essential to price products somewhat and offers a variety of options for clients.
Overall, a paper craft designing business allows entrepreneurs to express their creativity and turn their passion for crafting into a successful business.
18. Start a pool and garden designing business
If you have landscape architect skills, you can become a pool and garden, designing expert. Your role will be to provide master planning of landscapes, design of gardens and pools, consulting with advice for clients, and providing direction and supervision during pool construction. A garden designer also helps manage pools and other garden establishments.
19. Start an interior design consulting business
If you have a passion for interior design and want to turn it into a successful business, starting an interior design consulting company may be the perfect opportunity. As an interior design consultant, you will help clients create beautiful and functional spaces within their homes or commercial buildings.
To start an interior design consulting business, you must have a strong understanding of design principles and the ability to visualize and communicate your ideas to clients. You should also have a portfolio of past design projects to showcase your skills and style. In addition to your design skills, you will also need business skills such as marketing, budgeting, and project management to run your business successfully.
Some of the services you may offer as an interior design consultant include space planning, furniture selection, color consultation, and accessorizing. You may also work with contractors and other professionals to ensure that your design plans are properly implemented.
To succeed in the interior design consulting industry, staying up-to-date on the latest design trends and continually expanding your knowledge and skills is important. Building a strong network of professionals and establishing a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy designer will also help you attract new clients and grow your business.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $110,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.
20. Start an ad banner design creation business
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
