Side Project Ideas for Designers

Explore exciting ways to enhance your design skills and income in 2025.

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Understanding the Need for Side Projects in 2025

In 2025, the design industry continues to evolve rapidly, making it crucial for designers to adapt and stay competitive. Seeking side projects is not just about extra income; it's about skill enhancement and professional growth. The demand for innovative and adaptive design solutions is higher than ever, and side projects provide an opportunity to explore and experiment beyond your primary work.

Why Designers Need a Side Hustle

Side projects allow designers to diversify their portfolios, test new ideas, and even pivot to different niches. These ventures can be crucial for personal development, as they encourage learning, flexibility, and creativity. Moreover, as the design industry increasingly integrates AI solutions, understanding and implementing AI-driven design projects could place you at the forefront of innovation.

Examples of Side Project Ideas

You could develop an online design tool that simplifies user interface creation for non-designers. Another compelling project could be creating a platform for connecting freelance designers with potential clients, supported by an AI algorithm that matches skills and requirements. With an AI platform like Appaca, you can even start building AI-enhanced web or mobile applications that might include features like automated design feedback or AI-assisted color matching.

These projects not only enhance your skills but can also establish you as a thought leader in your niche, providing you with increased recognition and potential for higher income.

How Appaca Can Help in 2025

Appaca, an AI platform, presents a valuable resource for designers looking to innovate. It offers tools to help bring your experimental side projects to life. These tools can help you build and monetize AI-driven applications effectively. By leveraging Appaca, designers can focus on creating unique ideas that utilize AI, ensuring they stay relevant and competitive in their field.

Start your side project with Appaca - no coding required

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Features

Build and ship your AI idea

Easily create AI products by yourself without needing developers.
Your vision, your product, powered by Appaca.

Library of UI component

Build your AI app's interface without code

Easily use our library of UI components to design and build end-user's interface for your AI apps. Fully customisable.

Custom workflows and logic

Create custom workflows and logic

Power your applications with automated workflows. Build logics for your AI apps. Integrate with third-party tools via APIs and Webhooks.

Native AI infrastructure

AI-native infrastructure

Easily create any AI model based on LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, or image models like Flux and Stable Diffusion.

You can charge your users for AI usage with Appaca's AI credits billing system.

Authentication and User Management

Every app built on Appaca comes with an authentication system. Once your app is live, your users can sign up and log into the account.

Easily manage your own users.

Authentication and user management system
Built-in database for AI App

Database

Appaca comes with built-in database that allows your AI apps to easily store data without having to connect to any third-party databases.

Create as many tables as you see fit for your app.

Monetize your AI app

All AI apps built on Appaca is powered by Stripe payment system. One click to setup your payment account and enable monetization.

Create subscription plans for your AI apps and configure how much AI credits you want to charge your users.

Monetise your AI App

Steps to Kickstart a Design Side Project in 2025

  1. Identify Your Unique Value Proposition: Determine what makes your skills and ideas stand out in the design field.
  2. Imagine AI Integration: Consider how incorporating AI can enhance your project and provide tangible benefits to users.
  3. Create an Account on Appaca: Use Appaca to simplify the app-building process with its AI-driven tools.
  4. Gather Background Knowledge: Prepare your resources like design files or relevant web pages that will support your project.
  5. Develop the App's Interface: Start with wireframing and prototyping to visualize your design project.
  6. Customize the AI Model: Tailor AI tools to improve your app's functionality and user experience.
  7. Feature Enhancement: Add special features, such as AI-driven design feedback, automated layouts, or user engagement tools.
  8. Market to Your Audience: Develop a marketing strategy to reach your target audience effectively.

Completing these steps can set you on the path to a successful design side project in 2025, providing a balance of creativity and practicality.

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

Cheyanne Carter
Founder, Edubuddy

"At ai.boop.solutions, I was searching for a tool that would help me build an AI-based support platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, but I didn’t have the resources to develop the entire architecture myself. Appaca.ai was designed precisely for this purpose. It offers a user-friendly interface packed with features and versatile components that you can combine in countless ways. The team is incredibly supportive, and I confidently recommend it to anyone with a great idea but without a full IT department to back them up."

Katalin Dörnyei
Founder, Boop Solutions

FAQs

How can I choose the right side project as a designer?

Choosing the right side project depends on your personal interests, skills, and career goals. Consider projects that excite you and align with your future aspirations. It's important to address a market need and ensure you have or can acquire the necessary skills to execute the project.

What role does AI play in design side projects?

AI can enhance design projects by providing tools that automate routine tasks, offer design suggestions, and personalize user experiences. AI integration can help streamline processes and open up new creative possibilities, making your projects more efficient and innovative.

How often should I work on my side project?

The frequency of work on your side project depends on your schedule and project complexity. Regularly dedicate specific time each week to ensure steady progress. Consistency is key to seeing your project come to fruition while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

What tools are best for starting a design side project?

There are several tools beneficial for design side projects, including sketching and wireframing tools, project management software, and platforms like Appaca that offer AI integration. These tools can help streamline workflows and realize creative ideas efficiently.

What is Appaca?

Appaca is a no-code platform for building AI apps. You can use Appaca to build complete AI products for your startups, businesses, or customers without requiring developer help. The platform supports various AI models including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Flux Image model.

What is an AI Credit?

AI credits are the system to bill AI usage. Appaca uses that AI credit system to streamline the usage of different AI models in one go. You can use any AI model across your application. For the cost of AI credit for different AI models, please see our pricing page.

Can I make money with the app I built on Appaca?

Yes, you can monetise your AI app easily. All you need to do is to enable monetisation in your app with one click. You will be prompted to set up Stripe account easily. Once you have enabled your monetisation, you can create subscription plans for your app.

For the usage of AI, our AI credit system allows you to bill your customers. You can simply set how much credit you want to charge for your customers. It all comes out of the box.

Can I get more credits?

Absolutely. You can top up AI credits as much as you want if your credits are low.

Can I connect my custom domain to my app?

Yes, you can use your own custom domain name as long as you are on any paid plan.

Are there integrations?

Yes. You can integrate with other third-party tools via API or Webhook in your action workflows builder. We are frequently shipping native integration as well.

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