How to Become a Mockup Designer in 2024: A Guide for Newbies
If you like design and love Photoshop, then you can consider yourself as a mockup designer and can easily make money out of it. One of the best passive income ideas is selling mockup templates on different platforms available online. So here in this guide, let me give you the basics of the kind of platforms there are, and the advantages and possible disadvantages of each.
Getting Started as a Mockup Designer
1. Understanding Mockups
Digital templates called mockups show your designs in a realistic environment. For clients who wish to see how their designs will seem in real life, they are crucial. Anything from business cards and t-shirts to product packaging and website screens could be considered this.
2. Tools of the Trade
You’ll need a few key tools to create and sell mockups effectively:
- Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is Best and standard for making and editing mockups in the design industry.
- Design Software: Other software such as Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer can also help create mockups.
- Stock Photos: Sometimes you may need to use high-quality photos to create mockups.
Mockup Designer Courses
Online Courses
If you are looking for ways to improve your mockup design skills, it is possible to find many courses online. There is certification programs which include general courses that are offered by the companies such as Udemy, Coursera and Skillshare for different level categories. Common themes addressed in these courses may include producing qualitative mockups, different tools and mechanisms for the design, and trends in the current marketplace. For example, almost all the courses offered at Udemy contain real practical projects and case studies, enabling the user to apply the knowledge gained into real-life scenarios. It is also important to invest in such courses so that your learning process can be hastened as well as equip you with better understanding of current practices within the industry.
Certification Programs
Certification programs have a lot of benefits for those who look for an official acknowledgment of their experience. One can pursue certification programs like the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) that awards certifications that are proof of your prowess with Adobe Photoshop for instance for mockup design. These certifications can add to your reputation within the industry and help you to be noticed to clients or companies. Also, specialized certification programs would cover more details, and in return, give deeper insight to the particular concepts and strategies that can be used to design better mockups.
Photoshop Courses
If any body wants to be a successful mockup designer, then it is must to master Adobe Photoshop because most of the mockup designers uses it in creating mockups. Many sites offer Photoshop classes for the learners willing to learn and for those who want to improve their skills.. For instance, the official tutorial videos on Adobe Learn cover detailed instructions on the use of Photoshop software particularly in creating mockups. LinkedIn Learning and CreativeLive are other examples of platforms through which one can take systematically organized courses that range from elementary tools and skills to highly professional ones. As many of these courses imply practice and use of different assignments it is possible to develop crucial skills. The ideas mentioned above should help you improve your Photoshop skills after you take these courses for design mockups.
Practice Mockup Creation
Use ModernPSD mockup templates for free to use what you’ve just learned. With the help of these templates, you may try out various looks and methods without having to start from scratch. They provide a useful approach to put what you’ve learnt in your classes into practice and develop a portfolio of mockups of expert caliber. You may improve your design process, spark your creativity, and produce mockups that stand out in the marketplace by using these templates. Visit ModernPSD to look over our selection and get started right away!
Stock Sites to Sell Your Mockups
Stock sites focus on selling individual assets such as stock photos, vectors, and mockups. Here are some top stock sites where you can sell your mockups:
1. Shutterstock
Shutterstock offers a massive platform with millions of users, giving your mockups substantial visibility. The site provides robust contributor tools and detailed analytics to track performance. However, it is highly competitive, and the commission rates can be lower compared to some other platforms.
Pros:
- Large audience and high visibility.
- Robust contributor tools and analytics.
Cons:
- High competition.
- Lower commission rates compared to some other platforms.
2. Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud, making it convenient for Creative Cloud users to find and purchase your mockups. It has a large user base that can translate to higher earnings. The approval process is strict, and the competitive nature of the platform means only high-quality mockups will stand out.
Pros:
- Integrates well with Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Potentially high earnings due to a large user base.
Cons:
- Approval process can be strict.
- Competitive market.
Marketplaces for Mockups
Marketplaces would allow you to sell different types of digital products, including mockups, templates, and more. Here are some popular marketplaces where you can sell your mockups:
1. Envato Market
Envato Market offers a diverse and extensive marketplace with broad audience reach. GraphicRiver is specifically tailored for graphics and mockups, enhancing your visibility. The platform is highly competitive, with a strict approval process, so focus on producing top-notch mockups.
Pros:
- Large and diverse marketplace with a broad audience.
- Offers a variety of categories including graphics and mockups.
Cons:
- High competition with many contributors.
- Approval process can be strict.
2. Envato Elements
Envato Elements operates on a subscription-based model, providing a steady flow of potential customers. The large user base can lead to significant exposure for your mockups. However, earnings are based on the number of downloads and subscriptions, and the competitive environment requires high-quality work to stand out.
Pros:
- Subscription-based model provides a steady stream of potential customers.
- High visibility due to the large user base of Envato Elements subscribers.
Cons:
- Earnings depend on the number of downloads and subscriptions.
- Competitive environment with many contributors.
3. Creative Market
Creative Market emphasizes high-quality, creative assets and allows for flexible pricing and licensing options. The platform’s focus on quality can enhance the visibility of well-designed mockups. Keep in mind that platform fees can impact your overall earnings, and competition is high. Join Creative Market and sale your brand new design templates from today!
Pros:
- Focuses on high-quality, creative assets.
- Flexible pricing and licensing options.
Cons:
- Platform fees can reduce overall earnings.
- Competition from other high-quality designers.
4. Canva Marketplace
Canva Marketplace is an expanding platform with a growing user base, ideal for selling various design templates, including mockups. Although the marketplace is newer and evolving, it offers good opportunities. High competition from other designers can be a challenge, so focus on creating appealing and functional mockups.
Pros:
- Growing platform with increasing user base.
- Ideal for selling design templates.
Cons:
- Newer marketplace with evolving rules.
- Competition can be fierce.
5. Freepik
Freepik has a vast user base and offers both free and premium assets, which can increase the visibility of your mockups. While competition is high, the platform’s extensive traffic can lead to significant exposure. Earnings can vary based on the type of contribution, so ensure your mockups are high-quality and meet current design trends. Become a Freepik contributor now.
Pros:
- Huge user base and frequent traffic.
- Offers both free and premium assets, which can increase visibility.
Cons:
- High competition.
- Earnings can vary based on the type of contribution.
Pros and Cons of Selling Mockups
Pros
- Passive Income: If your mockups are also uploaded somewhere, then you can earn money with each of their sales without doing anything extra.
- Creative Freedom: You have an opportunity to work on what inspires you as well as make people appreciate your taste.
- Scalability: One can always find more investment opportunities and thus enhance their earnings capacity in the long run.
Cons
- High Competition: Due to this, popular markets are filled with designs, which makes it difficult to make unique designs that will not blend with those present in the market.
- Approval Processes: Most of the platforms take time when approving contents and this can be stressful to many people.
- Earnings Variability: Daily earnings might fluctuate hence is an unreliable source of income as is witnessed in the early years of the business.
Common Questions Answered
