Side Project Ideas for Illustrators

Creative and lucrative project ideas for 2025

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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.

Start your side project with Appaca - no coding required

Features

Build and ship your AI idea

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

Library of UI component

Build your app's interface without code

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

Custom workflows and logic

Create custom workflows and logic

Power your applications with automated workflows. Integrate with your favorite third-party tools thanks to our webhook and API call features.

Native AI infrastructure

AI-native infrastructure

Directly use LLMs such as GPT, Claude, Gemini, Flux, Dall-E, etc. Feed your custom data and instructions to your custom AI model.

Comes with an out-of-the-box AI credit system which streamlines AI usage across your projects.

Built-in Authentication and User Management System

Every app built on Appaca comes with a native Authentication system. Once your app is live, your users can sign up securely through a built-in page you can customize.

Manage users with ease on our User Management System. Create new users manually with a single click.

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

Customizable databases

Easily store your users' data directly on Appaca's built-in database, or send it to your third-party tools with API calls.

Create new bases and fields depending on your needs.

Take full control over your apps' data. Manage and monitor all data in one place.

Monetize your AI app

Appaca offers native monetization via our Stripe integration.

Create custom subscription plans for your app, and charge your users based on their AI usage thanks to our AI credit system.

One click set up. No hassle. Just earn.

Monetise your AI App

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.

"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

What are some profitable side project ideas for illustrators?

Some profitable side project ideas include creating online courses, selling digital prints, starting a blog, or producing a series of physical art products. Licensing art to companies or developing themed collections are also viable options.

How can AI benefit illustrators in 2025?

In 2025, AI can help illustrators by automating repetitive tasks, offering new creative insights, and assisting in the creation of innovative artworks. AI tools streamline the workflow, allowing illustrators to focus on creativity.

How do I start an AI-driven illustration project?

To start, define your vision and identify how AI can enhance it. Then, create an account on an AI platform such as Appaca. Prepare your knowledge assets, design your interface, and finalize your AI settings to suit your art style.

What tools are recommended for illustrator side projects?

Recommended tools for illustrator side projects encompass digital platforms like Appaca for AI artwork, Procreate or Adobe Illustrator for design, and marketing tools like social media scheduling apps to reach the audience.

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.

Start building today

Create AI products and solutions today for your business. Build, Ship, and Earn.