Side Project Ideas for Illustrators

Creative and lucrative project ideas for 2025

Why Side Projects Matter for Illustrators

In the fast-evolving world of illustration, side projects offer more than just an escape from routine tasks. They provide illustrators with a platform to explore their creativity and stay relevant.

As we enter 2025, the demand for unique and personalized art increases. Illustrators are challenged to think outside the box and diversify their portfolios. Side projects help meet this demand. They open doors to new revenue streams and attract a broader audience.

An illustrator's side project can start with a simple idea, from creating an online course to developing a digital product like an eBook. Moreover, with platforms like Appaca, illustrators can venture into AI-driven art projects, incorporating technology to generate new artistic possibilities.

Exploring Ideas for Your Next Side Project

Firstly, consider advancing technological trends. AI art generators are becoming mainstream, and learning to integrate AI into your artwork can set you apart. Secondly, think about trends in digital media consumption, like the rise in demand for personalized digital prints or interactive ebooks.

Additionally, creating themed collections, starting a blog about illustration techniques, or designing a series of online tutorials can enhance your visibility and professional credibility. These projects, if promoted correctly, can even evolve into primary income sources.

Equip Yourself with the Right Tools

To bring your side project to life, equip yourself with the right tools and platforms. Appaca is one such platform where you can create AI-powered illustrations. It supports creativity and innovation in the art sphere, empowering illustrators to break into new niches.

With Appaca, create unique art pieces or an educational product that combines AI insights. As technology continues to integrate with art, aligning with such platforms can help you stay ahead in your field.

Why Licode is the ideal tool to start with

Licode helps you create market-ready AI products super easily.

Expand Portfolio

Engaging in side projects helps illustrators create diverse works, enhancing portfolios.

Additional Income

Side projects can generate additional revenue, offering financial stability.

Skill Development

Tackling new projects improves existing skills and fosters the learning of new ones.

Steps to Start Your Illustrator Side Project

Begin by identifying what makes your work unique.

  1. Find Your Unique Value Proposition: Understand what differentiates your illustrations from others. This uniqueness should be the cornerstone of your project.
  2. Integrate AI into Art: Visualize how AI can enhance your artwork and provide a fresh perspective to your audience.
  3. Create an Account on Appaca: Register on an AI-driven platform like Appaca to start designing AI-assisted illustrations.
  4. Prepare Knowledge Assets: Gather and organize any documents or notes you might need, such as previous artwork and tutorial drafts.
  5. Design Your Interface: Use digital illustration tools to craft a user-friendly interface for your project.
  6. Customize the AI Model: Adjust AI tools to suit your illustration style, making sure it complements your artistic vision.
  7. Add Extra Features: Consider incorporating features such as tutorials or downloadable content to engage users.
  8. Market Your Project: Implement a marketing strategy using platforms like social media to reach your target audience effectively.

Trusted by incredible people at

Enable AI in your app

Licode comes with built-in AI infrastructure that allows you to easily craft a prompt, and use any Large Lanaguage Model (LLM) like Google Gemini, OpenAI GPTs, and Anthropic Claude.

Supply knowledge to your model

Licode's built-in RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) system helps your models understand a vast amount of knowledge with minimal resource usage.

Build your AI app's interface

Licode offers a library of pre-built UI components from text & images to form inputs, charts, tables, and AI interactions. Ship your AI-powered app with a great UI fast.

Authenticate and manage users

Launch your AI-powered app with sign-up and log in pages out of the box. Set private pages for authenticated users only.

Monetize your app

Licode provides a built-in Subscriptions and AI Credits billing system. Create different subscription plans and set the amount of credits you want to charge for AI Usage.

Accept payments with Stripe

Licode makes it easy for you to integrate Stripe in your app. Start earning and grow revenue for your business.

Create custom actions

Give your app logic with Licode Actions. Perform database operations, AI interactions, and third-party integrations.

Store data in the database

Simply create data tables in a secure Licode database. Empower your AI app with data. Save data easily without any hassle.

Publish and launch

Just one click and your AI app will be online for all devices. Share it with your team, clients or customers. Update and iterate easily.

Browse our templates

StrawberryGPT

StrawberryGPT is an AI-powered letter counter that can tell you the correct number of "r" occurrences in "Strawberry".

AI Tweet Generator

An AI tool to help your audience generate a compelling Twitter / X post. Try it out!

YouTube Summarizer

An AI-powered app that summarizes YouTube videos and produces content such as a blog, summary, or FAQ.

Don't take our word for it

I've built with various AI tools and have found Licode to be the most efficient and user-friendly solution. In a world where only 51% of women currently integrate AI into their professional lives, Licode has empowered me to create innovative tools in record time that are transforming the workplace experience for women across Australia.

- Cheyanne Carter
Founder @ Divergent Education

Licode has made building micro tools like my YouTube Summarizer incredibly easy. I've seen a huge boost in user engagement and conversions since launching it. I don't have to worry about my dev resource and any backend hassle.

- Andre Dean Smith
Founder @ ScreenApp.io

FAQ

What are some profitable side project ideas for illustrators?

How can AI benefit illustrators in 2025?

How do I start an AI-driven illustration project?

What tools are recommended for illustrator side projects?

Do I need any technical skills to use Licode?

Can I use my own branding?

Is Licode free to use?

How can I monetize my AI app?

Is my data safe with Licode?

How do I get started with Licode?

What kind of experience will my audience have with the AI app?

Start building with Appaca

Start for free