Which is better for illustrators, Dribbble or Behance?

Dribbble suits short, polished digital and product-style illustration, especially for tech clients. Behance suits long-form case studies and shows your process, which helps for editorial and children's book work.

How can I find illustration jobs on Reddit?

Read the rules of r/designjobs and r/forhire, then search for posts tagged [Hiring] and keywords like 'illustration' or 'artist'. Reply early with a link to a niche-specific folder. Tags vary, so check each subreddit's format.

Are illustration contests on 99designs worth it?

Mostly as practice. Contest entries that don't win are typically unpaid, and the platform leans toward logos and branding, so don't rely on it as a main income source.

How should I price my first illustration job?

Quote based on usage rights, scope, revision rounds and timeline instead of a flat guess. Ask for the client's budget and check a pricing reference such as the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook.

Does Sidequestboard hire illustrators or post jobs?

No. Sidequestboard is not a marketplace. It collects fresh public opportunity posts into one feed so you can save them and apply at the original source. It does not guarantee replies or clients.

November 6, 2026

Best Sites to Find Illustration Jobs (2026): Who Each Suits and How to Land a First Gig

Start with the channel that fits your portfolio: Behance or ArtStation for showcasing work, Dribbble for digital and product-style illustration, Reddit and LinkedIn for fresh leads, Upwork or Contra for direct client work. Treat 99designs contests as unpaid practice, and send a niche-specific sample fast.

Which illustration site should you start with?

Use this quick rule before you read the details:

No portfolio yet: Build 6 to 8 pieces in one niche (for example children's books or editorial art) and publish them on Behance. Use 99designs contests only for practice.
Portfolio ready, want inbound inquiries: Behance, Dribbble or ArtStation, depending on your style.
Ready to pitch this week: Reddit, LinkedIn, Upwork or Contra.
Checking too many places every day: A single feed of fresh public posts, such as Sidequestboard, saves time.

What are the best sites for illustration jobs, and who does each suit?

Behance: best for illustrators who can show process

Behance suits editorial, children's book, packaging and character illustration, where clients want to see how you think. It also has a job list you can browse.

How to land a first gig: Publish one or two case studies that show sketches, revisions and the final piece. Add clear niche keywords to the project descriptions. Link the most relevant project in every pitch you send elsewhere.

Dribbble: best for digital and product illustration

Dribbble skews toward UI, product and brand design, so it fits best if you make spot illustrations, icons, hero art or mascots for apps and tech companies. If your work is traditional or narrative, Behance is usually a better home. Dribbble has a jobs board where companies list roles.

How to land a first gig: Post three shots in one consistent style, then apply to listings that match it. Link the shots that resemble the client's product rather than your whole profile.

ArtStation: best for game, film and concept art

ArtStation is the natural home for character, environment and concept work. It is a weaker fit for children's books or editorial work.

How to land a first gig: Build one focused project of four or five pieces in a single genre. Studios and art directors judge cohesion. Check current listings on the site and confirm each one is still open before you apply.

Reddit (r/designjobs, r/forhire): best for fast, public leads

These communities suit illustrators who can respond quickly and pitch a tailored sample. Quality varies, so read each subreddit's rules first. Tags and post formats differ, so search for posts tagged [Hiring] or for keywords like "illustrator" and "artist" rather than assuming a fixed flair. r/Design is more useful for networking than for direct job posts.

How to land a first gig: Respond soon after a post goes up, with a link to a niche-specific folder (see the walkthrough below).

LinkedIn: best for publishers, agencies and in-house teams

LinkedIn is where art directors, publishers and marketing teams post contract and in-house roles. Search for "illustrator" and add contract or freelance as keywords.

How to land a first gig: Put "Illustrator" and your niche in your headline. Post finished work with a short note on the brief, and message the hiring person with one relevant sample.

Upwork and Contra: best for pitching directly

Upwork is a freelance marketplace where you send proposals to client briefs. Contra is a network where independents showcase work and find clients. Both reward a clear niche and a polished profile. Fees and terms change, so check each platform's official pricing or help page before you commit.

How to land a first gig: Offer a narrow, clearly scoped service, such as "three spot illustrations for a blog", rather than "any illustration". Lead each proposal with one directly relevant sample.

99designs: best treated as practice

99designs runs design contests, mostly logos and branding rather than illustration. In a contest, designers submit work and the client picks a winner, which means entries that lose are typically unpaid. That makes it a poor primary income route.

How to use it: Enter occasionally to practice working to a brief, and only submit work you would be happy to add to your portfolio anyway.

Sidequestboard: best for catching fresh public posts

Sidequestboard is not a marketplace and clients do not hire inside it. It gathers fresh public opportunity posts from communities like Reddit into one feed, lets you save the ones that fit, and links you to the original source so you can apply directly. It can also draft a first reply that you edit before sending. It will not guarantee replies or clients. It simply cuts the time spent checking tabs, so you can respond sooner.

How to use it: Scan the feed once or twice a day, save posts that match your niche, and send a tailored pitch from the original source. Browse freelance design and illustration jobs posted today to see what current demand looks like.

How do you pitch for your first illustration gig?

Landing a first client is usually about the pitch more than the platform.

Example walkthrough: applying to a Reddit post

Suppose you find a [Hiring] post on r/designjobs for a children's book illustrator. Instead of a generic "I can do this" message:

Send a direct link. Share a folder or Behance project that shows only children's illustration. Do not make the client dig through your logo work.
Show you read the post. Mention one specific detail, such as "You want a whimsical watercolor style, which matches my recent picture-book spreads."
State clear terms. Give your availability and process, for example "I include two rounds of revisions."
Reply quickly. Early, relevant replies tend to get noticed first.

How should you price illustration work?

Rather than guessing a rate, build your quote from the factors that actually change the price:

Usage rights: A one-time web use costs less than a print run or an exclusive buyout.
Scope: Count the number of pieces, the level of detail and the size.
Revisions: Say how many rounds are included and what extra rounds cost.
Timeline: Rush work usually carries a premium.

For pricing and contract guidance, consult an established reference such as the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, and ask the client for their budget range before you quote. Current market rates change, so check recent figures instead of relying on a single number.

How do you avoid spending your day refreshing job tabs?

Checking several subreddits, Dribbble, Behance and LinkedIn each morning eats time you could spend drawing. Pick two or three channels, set a daily time limit, and keep a short list of saved leads. If Reddit is your main source, the Sidequestboard iPhone app on the App Store gathers fresh public posts in one feed and drafts a reply you can edit.

Related guides

Sources

Dribbble Jobs — the platform's job board, referenced for how Dribbble lists design and illustration roles.
Behance Job List — the platform's job listings, referenced for how Behance surfaces creative roles.
Upwork — Freelancer Service Fee — Official platform fee information; verify current terms before relying on pricing.
Contra — Pricing — Official platform fee information; verify current terms before relying on pricing.