Episode 526 How to Price Your Design Work When You're Just Starting Out

Make and Design with Carina Gardner

In this practical and empowering episode, Carina Gardner tackles one of the biggest challenges new designers face: pricing your work when you're just starting out.

Carina walks listeners through the mindset shifts, mistakes to avoid, and strategies that helped her go from undercharging to building a profitable design business. She shares honest insights about how to set your prices with confidence—even if you're not sure what your work is worth yet—and why charging too little can actually slow down your growth.

Whether you're freelancing, creating products, or launching your first design shop, this episode gives you a foundation for making smart, sustainable pricing decisions right from the start.

Perfect for creatives who want to turn their talent into a thriving business without second-guessing every quote or invoice.

About Carina Gardner, Ph.D.:

Carina is the CEO of the University of Arts & Design. The university offers certificates and Masters degrees in the creative fields. Carina is also the CEO of Design Suite, a surface pattern and crafting design program that teaches designers how to create a business as they learn to design. She has designed for Nordstroms, Riley Blake, Silhouette America, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and more.

Find out more at https://www.carinagardner.com

Check out her most popular program Design Bootcamp here: http://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp

If you have been following along and have never joined a Design Bootcamp, I’m going to encourage you to sign up! It’s 5 hours of workshops and we have live versions going on often so that you can come and ask questions. Go to www.designsuitecourses.com/designbootcamp.