1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Remote product, UI or graphic designer job: your step-by-step start

In-house design roles worked remotely: product and UI design, brand and marketing design.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Designers with a strong portfolio (case studies, not just images) and Figma skills.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.
  • You cannot free up about 30 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: unpaid design tests: keep them small or ask for payment.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. What remote product, UI or graphic designer job really involvesFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. What it pays and how you get paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: what lands in your account5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Apply to 10 roles3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Put your best five pieces in one portfolio link3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Where to find openings and what to send5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: applications and follow-ups5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Redesign one real South African site as a portfolio piece3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Apply to five roles a week and track replies3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for employed, or combine with freelance clients3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Aim for redo one portfolio piece based on feedback3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid and spotting fake jobs4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Figma
  • We Work Remotely
  • LinkedIn

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.