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. Start an online courses business ($60K/year)
Lidiya Kesarovska from The Netherlands started Let's Reach Success almost 9 years ago, a online courses business.
- Revenue: $5,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 0
- Location: The Netherlands
Back in 2013, I had already discovered my passion - personal development - and had realized writing is the best way to express myself. So I combined these and started a self-improvement blog.
Starting the blog was the best decision and not giving up on it over the years (even when no traffic or money was coming in) was what helped me move forward.
It was first just a hobby and I knew nothing about blogging. Over the years, after publishing a ton of content, gaining traffic, learning about SEO, email marketing, social media, and all the ways to monetize a blog, it became a real business.
2. Develop a restaurant menu online designer tool ($3.6M/year)
Jim Williams from Ashland, OR, USA started MustHaveMenus ago, a restaurant menu online designer tool.
- Revenue: $300,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 25
- Location: Ashland, OR, USA
The idea for MustHaveMenus was a simple one: to replace aging desktop publishing tools with a menu design tool on the web. We also envisioned a wide selection of templates that would make it easy for restaurants to establish all of the cornerstones of marketing: strong branding, strong communication, consistency, etc. We started with a more general market approach, testing different markets to see which were the most receptive and in need of online design. Wedding invitations were a strong one as were church programs. Both of those turned into standalone businesses on their own. But the one that got the team excited, because of our passion for restaurants and great food, was MustHaveMenus.
I can’t say it was an overnight success. The technology risk in this business is very high. Browsers simply couldn’t handle graphics and text placement well in the years before 2010. Our first true editor was available for restaurants by 2009, and we were the first on the web to do so. But this editor still had a lot of problems managing graphics like food photos and logos. Despite the challenges with the software, restaurants still rushed to join us as the power of work-from-anywhere and quick edits online proved appealing.
3. Start an online video editing business ($72K/year)
Sabba Keynejad from London, England, United Kingdom started VEED over 3 years ago, a online video editing business.
- Revenue: $6,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 1
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Tim and I met during an online hackathon. During the hackathon participants were encouraged to meetup for real. We actually got on really well, and stayed friends and kept spitballing ideas for a startup for years.
At this time, I was a design student at Central Saint Martins and I had recently won a competition for Sony Music creating an interactive music video for the band Hurts with my friend Virgil. Then soon after graduation, I started working as a creative technologist in London for a bunch of different advertising & branding agencies and a few startups too.
4. Start an event design business ($9.29K/year)
Charles Bronson from Chennai started Believe San Decors over 5 years ago, a event design business.
- Revenue: $774/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 10
- Location: Chennai
After becoming a commerce graduate, I went on to study entrepreneurship in Leeds, UK. I had always aspired to build a career that awards a unique identity. I wanted to walk through life on the paths that I had laid for myself. This very thought of mine was the foundation for starting a business.
I believe that when one focuses on being fit, healthy, and happy, one can achieve excellence in their life.
My attempts to create a business model began with a gaming zone. Event decoration was not the first of the business I had put my mind onto. I owned a snooker parlor for over a year before I started 'Believe San Decors'.
5. Start a graphic design business ($160K/year)
Junaid Ansari from Mumbai started Draftss over 3 years ago, a graphic design business.
- Revenue: $13,333/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 25
- Location: Mumbai
We have been running a design agency for the past 10 years as a side business. After gaining inspiration from some of our competitors in this domain providing a productized service, we came up with an idea for an even better process that is more optimal and efficient bringing out better results at a more affordable cost comparatively.
The most effective method we tried for our validation was initiating a conversation with every person who visited our website to understand more about what they were looking for and what would make Draftss an ideal provider for their needs.
We wanted to productize the design and code service domain, where a design team is like a product subscription. You buy a Design or Code subscription and equip yourself with a design or/and development team that can get everything done for you. Subscribe when you require projects to be completed, unsubscribe once you are done.
6. Start a design podcast
Examples of a successful design podcast:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a design podcast:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Podcast Launch: How to Create & Launch Your Podcast: John Lee Dumas
- Podcast Launch: A Complete Guide To Launching Your Podcast With 15 Video Tutorials!: How To Create, Launch, Grow & Monetize A Podcast
Learn more about starting a design podcast ➜
7. Become a t-shirt designer business
Examples of a successful t-shirt designer business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a t-shirt designer business:
- How To Start A T-Shirt Business | Home Based T-shirt Business
- How To Start A T-Shirt Business For Graphic Designers
For further info, check out these books and products:
- T-shirt Profits: Start a t-shirt business - The complete guide to starting and running a successful t-shirt company
- How to Start a T-Shirt Business on Merch by Amazon (Booklet): A Quick Guide to Researching, Designing & Selling Shirts Online
Learn more about starting a t-shirt designer business ➜
8. Become a costume designer
Examples of a successful costume designer:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a costume designer:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Costume Making Guide: Creating Armor And Props For Cosplay
- How To Design Your Own Clothes And Make Your Own Patterns
Learn more about starting a costume designer ➜
9. Start a designer lamp shades business
Examples of a successful designer lamp shades business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a designer lamp shades business:
- The Lampshade Company By Ekm - Entrepreneur Builds Lampshade Company From Her Bedroom
- Entrepreneur Start Up Success Stories - Custom Lamp Making
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Make Mission Style Lamps And Shades (Dover Craft Books)
- Sewing Lampshades: How To Create Your Own Tailored And
Learn more about starting a designer lamp shades business ➜
10. Start a hat designing business
Examples of a successful hat designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a hat designing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Classic Millinery Techniques: A Complete Guide to Making & Designing Today's Hats
- From The Neck Up: An Illustrated Guide To Hatmaking
Learn more about starting a hat designing business ➜
11. Start a logo designing business ($4M/year)
Examples of a successful logo designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a logo designing business:
- How To Start A Logo Design Business - No Experience Required
- Start A Logo Design Business On Fiverr In 2020
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start Your Own Graphic Design Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide To Success (StartUp Series)
- The Power Of Logos: How To Create Effective Company Logos
Learn more about starting a logo designing business ➜
And for some real world inspiration, give Craig Barber's story on creating Logobly a read:
G’day, folks! My name is Craig Barber, I’m the founder of Logobly.
My goal is to help as many entrepreneurs launch their business and make Logobly the #1 place for logo design.
12. Start a machine building and design agency
Examples of a successful machine building and design agency:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a machine building and design agency:
- Starting Your Own Machine Shop — The Rewards And Challenges
- Custom Automated Machines Design-Build - Packard Automation
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Cnc Machining Handbook: Building, Programming, And Implementation
- How To Build Gm Pro-Touring Street Machines
Learn more about starting a machine building and design agency ➜
13. Start a packaging design business
Examples of a successful packaging design business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a packaging design business:
- How To Design: A Packaging In 3 Steps!
- Coffee Bar Packaging | Inside an Agency’s Packaging Design Process
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Packaging Designer's Book Of Patterns: Lazlo Roth
- How To Start And Operate Your Own Design Firm: A Guide For Interior Designers and Architects, Second Edition: Albert W. Rubeling
Learn more about starting a packaging design business ➜
14. Start a throw pillow designing business
Examples of a successful throw pillow designing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a throw pillow designing business ➜
15. Start a games animation designing business
Examples of a successful games animation designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a games animation designing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Game Design: How to Create Video and Tabletop Games, Start to Finish: Lewis Pulsipher
- Start Your Own Kid-Focused Business And More: Party Planning, Gift And Bath Products, Educational Toys And Games (StartUp Series)
Learn more about starting a games animation designing business ➜
16. Start a marijuana dispensary design business
Examples of a successful marijuana dispensary design business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a marijuana dispensary design business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Marijuana Business: How To Open And Successfully Run A Marijuana Dispensary And Grow Facility: Jeff Grissler
- Retail Cannabis Handbook: How To Start And Run A Marijuana Dispensary: Milton Wani
Learn more about starting a marijuana dispensary design business ➜
17. Start a paper crafts designing business
Examples of a successful paper crafts designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper crafts designing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series)
- Sewing To Sell - The Beginner's Guide To Starting A Craft Business: Bonus - 16 Starter Projects - How To Sell Locally & Online: Virginia Lindsay
Learn more about starting a paper crafts designing business ➜
18. Start a pool and garden designing business
Examples of a successful pool and garden designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pool and garden designing business:
- Gardening And Landscape Design Business: A Day In The Life
- Landscape Design - Site Planning - Part 1
For further info, check out these books and products:
- So You Want To Be A Garden Designer: How To Get Started, Grow, and Thrive in the Landscape Design Business
- Pools And Spas: Everything You Need To Know To Design And
Learn more about starting a pool and garden designing business ➜
19. Start an interior design consulting business
Examples of a successful interior design consulting business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a interior design consulting business:
- How To Start An Interior Design Business - 5 Things You Need To Guarantee Success
- How To Run An Interior Design Business
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Rearrange It! How To Start A Profitable Interior Redesign Business: Barbara Jennings
- How To Start An Interior Design Business: Starting An Interior Design Business
Learn more about starting an interior design consulting business ➜
20. Start an ad banner design creation business
Examples of a successful ad banner design creation business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ad banner design creation business:
- Getting Started With Google Web Designer: How To Create A Simple Banner Ad
- How To Tips For Creating Social Media Graphics - Graphic Design Tutorial
Learn more about starting an ad banner design creation business ➜
Discover the best strategies of successful business owners
Join our newsletter and receive our handcrafted recap with the best insights shared by founders in Starter Story each week.
Useful, convenient, and free:
Did you know that brands using Klaviyo average a 95x ROI?
Email, SMS, and more — Klaviyo brings your marketing all together, fueling growth without burning through time and resources.
Deliver more relevant email and text messages — powered by your data. Klaviyo helps you turn one-time buyers into repeat customers with all the power of an enterprise solution and none of the complexity.
Join Brumate, Beardbrand, and the 265,000 other businesses using Klaviyo to grow their online sales.
"An amazing network of founders that truly want to help each other grow their business."
