Starting from ZERO - Growing a Graphic Design Youtube Channel
- Kate Aveling
- Apr 8, 2025
- 5 min read
(Read the transcript below)
Hello, my name is Kate Aveling. I'm an Australian graphic designer with over 20 years of experience. I'm starting my first YouTube channel from scratch. I'm creating this channel to share my experiences, and this video, in particular, aims to provide transparency about where my YouTube journey has begun. I probably don't have any subscribers yet. Let's jump into the video.
Why I decided to start a YouTube channel
I have several reasons for creating a YouTube channel. One of the main reasons is that I want to show that I'm human in the online space. It's becoming quite flooded with AI-generated content, with many people sharing social media posts written by ChatGPT or graphics created by AI. I just wanted to demonstrate that there's a real person behind my work. In my past experience as a designer, I've relied mostly on human marketing, in-person networking, and word of mouth, which isn't always the most effective strategy for generating leads. I've realised that I don't have a very large online presence, so part of my motivation for starting this channel is to let people see who I am and get a feel for my personality. Obviously, I'm a bit nervous on camera, starting from zero, but I'm hoping that over time, my personality will come through, helping viewers decide whether I'm someone worth listening to or, for potential clients, whether they'd like to work with me.
Another reason for starting this channel is to use my experience to help younger designers. Over my 20 years in the industry, I've worked with many printers on packaging, print, signage, and point-of-sale materials, so lots of physical items that brands use daily. I've also assisted brands with their identity design.
Over the years, I've developed processes and protocols that might be interesting to new designers. While many designers share content online, everyone has their own methods, so I aim to share behind-the-scenes insights into how I work, make design decisions, and take a project from client consultation to a tangible product. I've often helped other designers prepare projects for print, and it amazes me how many aren't familiar with certain skills, especially when transitioning from digital to print. I'd like to help bridge that gap.
My personal physical and mental barriers to starting
I've wanted to start a YouTube channel for probably over a year now. It's been something I've thought about continually, researching how to do it, where to start, how to write content, and how to set things up. I've realised that I've become one of those people who researches endlessly without taking action. So, I'm starting imperfectly. I don't have all the equipment, and I've had numerous excuses holding me back.
We've experienced significant ups and downs in our lives. I have a family, including a young son who's in primary school, and I often wonder how content creators manage to produce so much while balancing family life and other commitments. At one point, our house was flooded, and we couldn't live there, so I thought, "I can't start a YouTube channel now." After returning, my office studio became a storage room for building supplies, which became another excuse. I've come to realise that the perfect time will never come; you just have to start. So, here I am, in my kitchen and lounge room, beginning my YouTube journey. Hopefully, you'll see the progress as I renovate my studio and home, with changes occurring around this set. At the moment, the wall behind me isn't painted—it's partly plastered—but the top coat isn't on yet. The picture behind me probably hides some of the imperfections, but I'm embracing the imperfections and just getting started.
Another setback has been not having the right gear. I've listened to many YouTubers advise starting with your phone, just beginning with what you have. While I understood this, as a designer, I felt that if my videos didn't look polished from the start, I wouldn't be satisfied. It's taken time to adopt the mindset of just starting, realising that I'll never have the perfect setup. There's always a better camera or tripod, and if I use equipment as an excuse not to start, the list of "better" gear will be never-ending.
Equipment I'm using to start
So, what equipment am I using to begin? I'm currently using a small Joby tripod, which serves as a selfie stick and holds my mobile phone. I can also position it upside down to film my work, whether it's sketches, iPad designs, or drawings. I'm filming with my Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone, using the rear camera for better quality, so I can't see what I'm recording. It took about 20 test shots to ensure I wasn't cutting off my head. I'm also using bullet points on my computer to guide me. For lighting, I have my ceiling lights on. We're renovating, so there are some holes in the ceilings that need patching. I don't have soft face lighting, but I've used a builder's light—a simple light on a stand—which might give me a slight greenish hue. But I'm working with what I have and not letting it hold me back. I'm starting very basic, hoping to improve as I can afford better equipment.
Reflection on my first video
I'd like to reflect on the first video I created. Even though I don't have subscribers yet, this isn't my first video. I filmed one last week as part of the Think Media 5-day challenge. I've been contemplating starting a YouTube channel for a long time and needed a push to set a deadline. I used that challenge to motivate myself to post my first video. I aimed to post it last week, regardless of imperfections. I filmed and edited quickly, getting it up with a thumbnail and title, though the description was lacking.
Looking back, I realise I didn't have a separate microphone, so the audio could have been better. I could hear my chair squeaking and the air conditioning humming. In hindsight, adding music was a last-minute decision; I hadn't planned for it. I scrambled to find copyright-free music and remembered my Envato Elements subscription. I added a jazzy track over the video but now wonder if it's too loud or distracting. I'd appreciate feedback on that. Other areas for improvement include lighting; I'm working with what I have but plan to enhance it in the future. Recording in a tiled area affects sound quality due to reverberation. We're renovating and plan to change the flooring, which should help. Being a graphic designer, I already have Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. I don't use Premiere Pro daily but want to learn to edit videos with it. For my first video, I used CapCut because it's simpler and more intuitive. I kept editing straightforward, avoiding getting overwhelmed by too many options. If I were to redo it, I'd spend more time editing, adding thoughtful transitions to improve flow.
What You Can Expect from This Channel
I'm committing to posting one video a week. This might seem like a lot to some and too few to others, but I want to start with a strategy. My goal isn't to rapidly gain subscribers but to help people and improve my on-camera presence. Consistency is key, so one video a week feels manageable without leading to burnout.
If you'd like to watch my first video and leave comments or advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. (linked Below)
Or learn what it was about here on my journal (blog)
Whether you're a graphic designer, creative, business owner, marketer, or someone interested in design, this channel aims to provide tips and tricks to make your projects look more professional from start to finish. Please like and subscribe, and check out my previous video. Thanks for watching.
Really enjoyed this read about building a YouTube channel from scratch. It’s spot on how consistency and genuine creativity make all the difference when growing an audience. Starting with nothing can feel daunting, but staying patient and refining your content pays off big time. It’s a lot like picking the right bed sheets quality and comfort matter more than flash. The advice about understanding your niche and connecting with viewers feels very true. This post gives great motivation for anyone keen to build something lasting online.