I've noticed several sites that offer a commission for web layouts. Has anyone ever done this and successfully made money from it? I have always wanted a way to make some money in my off time without getting a second job. I've also heard of websites that post jobs for graphic/web designers. From what I've seen though, a lot of the jobs require a solid time investment that I can't really do with my current job. Any comments on this subject?

I'm in the same mindset as you, apparently. I would really enjoy getting a little extra from doing what I like best, graphics design.

Raising a site from ground up and selling templates would probably require some serious investing, starting with your own domain name, to getting proper SEO (i.e. Search Engine Optimization). Regretfully, the web is cluttered with frauds, scams and malicious websites claiming to up your search engine results so it's hard to achieve this, although there are solid ways of improving this.
Next to that, you'd need a series of flash templates, because for some horrible reason, that is what a lot of businesses want, and probably what pays off best. As attractive as a flash site may be, it's often intrusive and annoying.
Then you need partners, affiliates, people who are willing to spread your site, etc, etc, etc... People are getting paid to do each section of the cycle, so doing this alone, is incredibly hard.

On the other hand, the power of a community is often an underrated one, in my humble opinion. I've seen people from around 16-18 years old, earning loads of money, because they started off being a talented an respected member from a community. I'm talking about Newgrounds, deviantArt, Retrogade, customize.org, etc etc...

That aside, I'm currently getting most succes by starting off as a freelancer. Yet again, there's thousands of sites, clones and malicious sites that offer freelancers the option to offer their services-and clients to post projects for freelancers to bid on. I've taken the time to browse a plethora of fora (I rhymed!) in the search of a few hassle-free, no scam solid and working freelance sites (http://www.project4hire.com and http://www.getafreelancer.com/). Where others require payed sign-ups, and such, these just offer a limited amount of bids (15 a month), or deduct a small percentage of your paid fee.

A good portfolio with a fresh, clever and good webdesign will do you good.

Good luck, though. I'm on the same road >_<

Your degree of success doesn't depend on how good your product is, but rather how well you can market it to a group of people that needs it.

Anything of somewhat decent quality will do well on the net as long as you market it properly, if there is a demand. Look ernestly at your competition and what they are doing.

So.... do people make money off of this? That's basically the question he's asking. This idea is pretty interesting and I would like to find out also.

Well, me too, I just summed up my experiences.

No one really gives a straight answer. What you usually get is that it eventually always comes down to either cloning a successful competitor, or spending lots of money on cheap marketing. I've yet to come across a clear, honest person who successfully makes a living off of this. Not the kind of people who claim that, if you give them money, they will make sites for you, sell products for you and give you all their money! lyk whoa!

The only working option for me at the moment are the freelancer sites I mentioned.

Yup! GetAFreelancer specifically has been the most successful freelance site that earned me some money. I recommend it to those programmers/designers out there who want extra money.

Project4hire is pretty decent as well, but GAF most certainly has a much larger userbase and projects up. Actually works too.

Nice to see that you've gained some postive experience from it as well? Care to share? Perhaps offer a few tips? I'm rather new to GAF.

Yeah its very very easy to make money with things like that becauce some people cant design webs site layouts etc but it would be a very hard business

You can try to create some template and sell it. It's a good ways for you to earn money if you are familiar with graphic design.

I'm planning on maybe getting a degree in web design as I'd like to be a web designer when I'm older.

I was thinking about making commercial Joomla templates, making and selling them. Although it's only Joomla, alot of people use it and buy templates, mainly just for personal sites and small businesses.

How do we think I'd go doing that? I love Joomla and web design and of course making money!