How to Learn and Make Money with Graphic Design in Nigeria.

How to Learn and Make Money with Graphic Design in Nigeria Even Without a laptop

Do you want to know how to make money with graphic design? Do you think you need a laptop or fancy software to become a graphic designer in Nigeria?

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Think again.

With just a smartphone, an internet connection, and a desire to learn, you can start offering graphic design services and making money, even from your room.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to learn graphic design from scratch and start getting paid, all without a laptop.

This is not a graphic design training though.

So, why should you be interested in graphic design?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic design remains a viable and rewarding career path, with a projected job growth of 2% from 2023 to 2033 and a median annual salary of $61,300 as of 2024.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024).** Graphic designers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Arts-and-Design/Graphic-designers.htm

Get the Right Smartphone Apps

Start by downloading beginner-friendly graphic design apps that work well on mobile:

Canva (Free & Pro): Great for social media designs, flyers, logos. (most popular and beginner-friendly)
Pixellab: Popular among Nigerian designers for text-based graphics. (popular for social media banners and flyers)
Adobe Express: Offers templates and design tools for mobile.
Ibis Paint X or Infinite Design: For more advanced illustration.
Snapseed or Photopea (for image editing)
Adobe Express (basic Adobe-level design on phone)

I know you would want to know what will work for you and your needs. I have provided a comparison of the different graphic design app for your convenience.

App	Strength	Weakness	Price	Free Version Available?
Canva (Free & Pro)	Great for social media designs, flyers, logos; beginner-friendly and most popular	Limited advanced editing features in free version	Free (basic) / Paid (Pro)	✅ Yes
Pixellab	Popular among Nigerian designers for text-based graphics and banners	Limited design templates and no cloud sync	Free (with ads)	✅ Yes
Adobe Express	Offers Adobe-quality templates and tools on mobile	Some features require Adobe account or subscription	Free (basic) / Paid (Premium)	✅ Yes
Ibis Paint X / Infinite Design	Ideal for advanced illustration and drawing	Steeper learning curve for beginners	Free (basic) / In-app purchases	✅ Yes
Snapseed / Photopea	Powerful image editing tools; Photopea mimics Photoshop	Not ideal for layout or branding design	Free	✅ Yes

Learn the Basics of Graphic Design

Start by understanding the principles of good design. These include:

Typography—the art of arranging text
Color theory—how to combine colors
Layout and composition—how elements are arranged
Visual hierarchy—how to guide the viewer’s eye

Resources you can use:

Google “Graphic Design Basics” or use YouTube channels like GFX Mentor. Yes, I’m a Designer, or Dansky.
Enroll in free courses on Coursera, Canva Design School, or even Skillshare (some are free trials).

Step 2: Download Free Design Apps for Your Phone

There are several mobile apps you can use for real design work:

Canva, in particular, is powerful:

Drag-and-drop tools
Templates for Instagram, flyers, logos, and more
Free and Pro versions available (you can start free)

Step 3: Pick a Niche and Practice Daily

You don’t have to learn everything. Choose one or two areas and master them. It is called a niche and you can check out this start up’s guide on niche selection.

Niche Examples:

Social media flyers
Business cards
Logo design
YouTube thumbnails
Instagram story templates

Action Plan:

Set aside 1–2 hours daily to practice.
Join graphic design groups on Facebook or WhatsApp for critique and feedback.
Recreate popular designs to build muscle memory.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio (Even Without Clients)

You don’t need to wait for clients to build your portfolio. Do this:

Create 10 sample designs in your niche (e.g., event flyers, fashion business logos).
Upload them to Instagram or Behance.
Add short descriptions of what each design is for.

Pro tip: Create a Canva folder or Google Drive folder with your best works, this becomes your digital CV.

Step 5: Start Getting Paid Clients

Once you’re confident, begin promoting your work:

Post consistently on WhatsApp status, Instagram, and Facebook.
Offer free designs to small businesses in exchange for testimonials.
Tell your friends and family. referrals work wonders.

You can also list your services on:

Fiverr (Create a gig for social media flyers or logo design)
Upwork (Apply for entry-level design jobs)
Nairaland, Twitter, and Design Facebook Groups

Pricing Tip: Start with ₦2,000–₦5,000 per design while you build a client base.

Bonus Tips to Grow Your Graphic Design Gig Quickly

Offer bundle deals: 3 flyers for ₦5,000
Learn basic branding: color palette + logo + flyer
Collaborate with influencers or microbrands.
Reinvest ₦1,000–₦2,000 monthly into data or Pro versions of tools.

My Final Thoughts on Learning Graphic Design

Graphic design is a practical and in-demand skill in Nigeria, and you don’t need a laptop to start. With a smartphone and consistency, you can turn your creativity into income.

Keep learning, practicing, and putting your work out there. Your phone could be your ticket to a full-time creative career.