How to Start a Graphic Design Business in Nigeria as a Student in 4 Days

Imagine kick-starting your very own Graphic Design Business in Nigeria, right from your student desk, in just four days.

It might sound ambitious, but it’s not only possible; it’s a journey we’re about to embark on together.

Whether you’re a budding student with a passion for design or someone seeking to dive into the thriving world of graphic design in Nigeria, this guide is your practical roadmap.

Can a Student Start a Graphic Design Business in Nigeria?

Absolutely Yes!

As a student, it’s easy to think that launching a business is a distant dream, reserved for the future. But what if I told you that it’s achievable here and now?

Join me as we demystify the process, step by step, tailored specifically to the Nigeria landscape – using my personal experience and my success strategies.

From crafting a business plan that aligns with your student life to navigating the intricacies of establishing a legal presence, setting up a workspace, and even landing your first clients, this guide is your key to turning your design passion into a thriving reality.

So, my aspiring designers, pull up a chair, get ready to take notes, and let’s embark on a journey that proves that starting a Graphic Design Business in Nigeria is not just a dream – it’s a practical and exciting adventure that can begin today.

Ready to launch? Let’s dive into this four-day entrepreneurial odyssey.

Day 1: Planning Your Graphic Design Business in Nigeria

“Anyone who fails to plan, plans to fail”
old adage

This is a very common and correct adage that should be taken very seriously.

In everything you dream to be successful at, proper planning is the most important requirement that can not be replaced or jumped.

Before starting at all, you need to plan your business properly from day one.

Why is it Important to Have a Structured Business Plan?

The importance of a great business plan cannot be overemphasized. Here are a few reasons you should have a good business plan before you dive in.

Clarity of Purpose: A business plan helps you define your business’s purpose, goals, and objectives. In a short period of time, having a clear direction is essential to make efficient decisions and stay focused on what matters most.
Resource Allocation: When time is limited, a business plan helps you allocate your resources wisely. It outlines the budget, expenses, and financial projections, ensuring that you make the most of your available resources.
Risk Assessment: Running a business in Nigeria is different from running it in oyibo land (abroad). A well-structured plan helps you identify potential risks and devise strategies to mitigate them, which will help you to reduce the chance of setbacks.
Professionalism: Having a business plan demonstrates professionalism to potential clients, partners, and investors. It instills confidence that you have a well-thought-out strategy, even in a tight timeframe.

Now, if you are ready to plan, kindly take your favourite writing Materials, and prepare a good business plan.

How to Create a Great Business Plan for Your Graphic Design Business in Nigeria

Let me take you through the 3 stages that I personally used while kick-starting my design business.

Stage 1: Determine the Type of Design You Want to Focus

There are tons of things you can design as a graphic designer. But I advise you to channel your direction on a few types of graphics. You don’t want to be a jack-of-all-trade.

While I can design virtually anything, I centered my design around three things, which are flyers, banners, and custom logos.

This has helped me to provide ultimate results for my customers, within a short period of time.

Take a look at my recent designs as at the time I’m writing this post.

Stage 2: Choose Your Preferred Tools

Your tools are like swords and guns in the hands of a soldier; you need them to conquer your tasks.

Depending on your choice, you can choose Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or the old Corel Draw.

For simplicity, I chose Canva.

Stage 3: Set Your Income Goal

How much do you want to earn on your business per month, per week, or per day?

You need to be clear to yourself on this. Anything is achievable, but don’t set your expectations too high.

You can always expand on your plan as time moves.

Day 2: Legal Requirements and Registration

After a successful planning of your business, the next thing is to get it a strong backup, to operate legally.

It’s not compelling to register your business before you move on and grow big, but it’s a good shot if you can do it.

Why Should You Register Your Graphic Design Business in Nigeria?

Registering your business will add to your confidence as a business owner. It will also prepare you for any unforeseen legal circumstances that may arise at any point in time.

Having a business bank account is not negotiable if you want to grow your business professionally; and you must have your business registered before you can open a business or corporate bank account.

As far as I know, there is no bank in Nigeria that will open you a business account without asking for your registration documents.

How to legally register a business in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the easiest countries in the world to kick-start a legitimate business. You don’t have to spend your lifetime saving before you can legally operate.

Unlike some countries in the world that will require you to meet up with some complex criteria, Nigeria only needs you to provide your basic information, evidence of your nationality, and a token registration fee.

To start with, you can register as an enterprise with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). Then, you can always upgrade your registration to Limited Liability.

Visit the official CAC website to read more about their requirements and the process.

Your CAC certificate and other documents may take up to a week before you get them, but you can definitely continue with other procedures as soon as you satisfy the submission for the registration.

That’s all for day 2!

Day 3: Setting Up Your Design Studio

This stage is very essential and can mistakenly be taken for granted, if care is not taken. But you should not take it for granted at any cost.

You need to prepare your workspace. It doesn’t have to be big or too fancy, but you need one.

Why Should You Have a Studio When You Don’t Need an Office to Run a Graphic Design Business in Nigeria?

This is a likely question for you to ask at this stage, and it’s good.

Having a good workspace will allow you to take your design business very seriously. It will also give you a great sense of appreciation of your business.

When I started my Freelancing Business, I used to feel irresponsible and useless.

Most of the time, I would feel like going out to look for a job, or find a regular job that will give me regular tasks; I wasn’t seeing myself as someone who has a job.

The whole story and feeling changed the moment I prepared my workspace. It started to look more like a serious job to me; and I took it very seriously.

How to Setup Your Design Studio

Find a cool place in your room, hostel, or you can rent a 1-room office.
Hire a good house painter to apply some painting creativities in your studio.
Buy some cheap wall frames for decoration.
Then get some decent dresses that you will wear whenever you want to work in your design studio.

Note: this doesn’t negate you from working outside of your home or school, but it will boost your confidence and productivity.

Day 4: Branding, Marketing, and Client Acquisition

In any business, branding is as important as starting the business itself. The more serious you take it, the more it’s likely you are to grow and have long-term success.

As a Nigerian, you will agree with me that it’s easy to be praised and easily forgotten in a few days in Nigeria.

Nigerians are so tough that they can easily forget the names of the previous presidents.

So you don’t want to shine for some days and go down suddenly. That’s why you need a proper branding plan.

How to Brand Your Graphic Design Business in Nigeria

Branding in Nigeria can be as simple or complicated as you’d love to see the effect on your business. Let me walk you through the four basic things that will get you up and running.

1. Get a Unique Logo for Your Business

Having a great logo for your design business is a smart shot. It doesn’t have to be a complicated logo, it can just be as simple as joining your name with an icon.

Take a look at my logo:

A unique logo will give some professional shape to your business. It will also serve as the representative of your business in the memory of your customers and potential clients.

What do you think when you see this logo?

You remember NTA TV, right?

What do you think when you see this logo?

You remember Facebook, right?

You get the idea!

You can design your logo with any tool or app of your choice. I designed mine with Canva

2. Get a Website for Your Business

Getting a website for your business will not only position you as an expert, it will also drive you some organic customers.

One of the best ways to stand out and establish a thorough branding is having your website.

You can also write blog posts around your expertise. And you know what? Blogging will also fetch you money.

You can use Wix or WordPress to build your website. Or you can hire me to build your beautiful and professional Website.

3. Print and Paste Stickers Around

Design a cool card and print it as SAV (sticker). You can print as many as you want.

Paste them in public places in and out of schools.
Paste them on commercial vehicles like Kẹkẹ or Maruwa, Ọkada, Cab (we call it Taxi), Danfo and so on.

4. Use Flyers and Complimentary Cards to Your Advantage

Design and print complimentary cards and flyers.

Drop your flyers in banks, restaurants, schools, and all public places you have access to.

Serve your complimentary cards to your co-students, teachers, friends, family members, neighbours, fellow commuters in public parks, and everyone you have the chance to speak with.

Managing Finances and Resources

If you follow all the guides in this post, I’m not sceptical that you will start making money in a couple of days.

How will you treat your income?

You should ask yourself this question before starting at all. Because it’s easy to get things mixed-up and even destroy the business, if proper financial management is not in place.

In fact, you will be working and still be financially handicapped if you don’t manage your income like a pro.

So what should you do?

Well, the whole of this post is based on my experience and market research of Nigeria at large.

Let me give you a few strategies that have worked for me and for people in the industry too.

Get a financial management app on your phone to track your income and expenses.
Join a local daily contribution (Àjọ in Yoruba) to keep some portions of your income, so that you don’t live a life of hand-to-mouth.

Invest in digital businesses like course selling, template store, SAAS business, blogging, or YouTube.

Executive Summary

Congratulations if you made it up to this stage. If you didn’t read everything all through, take your time to read it again and again.

Disclaimer: I do want to make it so clear that you can complete all the 4-day tasks in 2 to 3 days. You can make some amendments based on your availability and resources.

While I’ve provided all my tactics to growing a graphic design business in Nigeria in 4 days, in this post, you won’t go anywhere if you don’t start.

Don’t delay your glory for the sake of anything. The best day to start is today!

Good luck 👍

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Graphic Design Business in Nigeria – FAQ

What are the Essential Tools for a Graphic Design Business in Nigeria?

Depending on how large you dream to scale your business. You can start very little and grow as you go.

With that said, you can start with your smartphone, the Canva App, Data Connection, and a few flyers to showcase your expertise.

How do I Find Clients for my Graphic Design Business in Nigeria?

There are more than a hundred strategies to find clients for your graphic design business in Nigeria. However, it’s better to channel your strength on a few, working strategies.

I’ve succeeded in attracting clients with WhatsApp TVs: Find guys that have huge amount of WhatsApp status viewers and pay them to run ads for you.

I’ve also attracted customers by asking my existing customers to share my flyers with their connections: Tell your happy customers to refer their friends and help share your flyers.

Running facebook ads is also a great shot, if you know how to tailor it to your targeted audience.

Can I run a Graphic Design Business from Home in Nigeria?

Yes. Graphic Design is a digital service that doesn’t require a physical address to get started.

You can start your design business from home, school, or anywhere.

In fact, you can start your business in a car, while travelling. All you need is a good structure and a couple of practical strategies, that I’ve discussed in this post.

How do I Set Pricing for My Graphic Design Services in Nigeria?

While you can quickly determine your pricing package, it’s essential to conduct market research for a perfect pricing.

Ask other designers what they charge and how they charge.
Ask your friends what they pay for a certain type of design.
Approach design shops to price their services.

And you can have a clean head on how to price your business.

How can I stay Updated with Design Trends and Industry News in Nigeria?

Join design threads on online forums and social networking platforms like Nairaland, Quora, Facebook, Twitter, and Behance.