Apart from your career, have you ever thought about other ways to make additional income? Whether you have or not, today’s article will be breaking down 6 specific side “hustles” that architectural designers can translate their skills and interests into to make some extra cash. Who doesn’t love a little extra money in their pockets?
Architects are trained to develop concepts, push them into designs, and oversee their construction, but our skills are easily transferrable! However, outside of specific skills, architects have gained other lessons in their education journey to help them succeed in these endeavors. Curious about what I mean? Take a peek at our recent audience submissions, Lessons Learned Beyond Architecture School! The author shared their experiences and lessons that help shape their day-to-day life. Without further ado, let’s get into the article!
Disclaimer: Although additional income is fantastic, be wary of monetizing interests because it can cause individuals to lose passion for something they once loved.
1. Freelance Artist
It’s no surprise here! Drawing is one of the fundamental skills of an architect, so this is a natural fit! Whether it’s drawings, paintings, sculptures, portraits, pottery, or even tattoo designs, the possibilities are endless. However, I do recommend an individual having some tattoo experience before touching anyone’s skin unless you are designing for the tattoo artist to replicate. Everything else is fair game! Architects are creators through education and practice, and whatever art you have created can be commissioned or sold for additional income.
2. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is a different beast with nuances and a plethora of history and knowledge, which is why it’s a separate area of study and industry. However, the critical skills of design-thinking combined with a keen eye and interest in marketing, legibility, graphics, scale, and color can make this a feasible side hustle! It’s perfect for those who work well with clients and can pick up on their needs without being vocal!
Businesses are always in need of a logo, signage, website, and more! Ask your local business or offer your services to friends and family who own a business!
3. Architectural Tour Guide
A prime example of how to utilize your architectural background with your passion for historical architecture and style! If you are eager to share your knowledge and meet new people, this is a fun side hustle without additional software or tools! Just be prepared with a good pair of shoes and a bottle of water, then you are good to go! With travel opening back up, this is a great chance to show off your city’s best buildings!
This specific side hustle can be difficult for those in locations that don’t receive many tourists or lack a rich architectural environment. In these scenarios, you could offer services to your municipality, like generating or archiving existing building floor plans.
4. Photographer
A typical by-product of an architect’s need to document their work is the opportunity to be a photographer! In some cases, the equipment is already in your possession, and it doesn’t require fancy equipment or tools to become a photographer! It is more important to have a good eye for composition, lighting, and storytelling, and from there, you can begin to explore what subject works best for you!
Event photography is a great sub-avenue for this hustle, given that events may last a few hours upwards of a day. This gives anyone the flexibility to book their calendar while navigating day-to-day life. On the other hand, you could consider selling your work online as prints, backgrounds, or stock photos if you can’t schedule events!
5. Software Tutor
Learning any software can be a headache for most of the population, and architects deal with a long list of software that some can’t quickly comprehend. Do you find yourself in a position where people are always asking for your help with AutoCAD, Rhino, Adobe, or other software?
You could offer one-time or ongoing tutoring sessions for those who want to learn for a small fee! You can go as far as writing a guide, creating full-on classes for purchase, or host a webinar too. Whichever is the case, make sure to list your credentials and show potential clients examples of your work!
6. Presentation Design Consultant
I’ll be honest here; I recently learned (~2 years ago) about presentation design as a viable option for a side hustle! I’m sure you have experienced sitting through a presentation that is full of text, nothing visually stimulating, or is difficult to understand. This makes it extremely difficult to concentrate on the important information or causes serious drowsiness. Let’s avoid boring presentations by hiring presentation design consultants!
If you excel in presentations, why not provide your advice and understanding of engaging visuals and layout to others? Luckily, this side hustle is easily done online from the comfort of your own home or in a coffee shop.
More Ideas!
- Videographer
- Web Design
- Publisher
- Architectural Writer/Editor (Ahem)
- Sticker Design
- Fashion Design
- Animator
Are you thinking of trying one of these side hustles? Or do you have another one? Share with us in the comments! Well, that’s all we have for you today, and if you’ve made it this far, you deserve a cookie. I hope you found this article interesting and took something from it! Sharing is caring! We hope to provide you with valuable insights and share them with someone who might find this useful. Make sure to follow our Youtube and Instagram for more content!