More than one-third of millennial designers are freelancers and more than one-fourth of designers older than 40 have been freelancers for over 20 years, according to a recent survey. The Gen X generation is not the only one to be self-employed.
Due to the advancement of technology and a major influence on global culture, different age groups have also adopted freelancing. Gen Z designers account for 23% of the freelance workforce, while millennials account for 34%. The growth of freelancers has largely been fueled by their ability to manage their activities online. In addition to increasing in numbers, freelancers are now more sharp-minded and ambitious.
There are many benefits to freelance design work, but perhaps the most important is that designers are free to work from wherever they wish. From Silicon Valley to Europe, designers can choose among many top design jobs across the globe.
In this article, we discuss the best countries and cities for designers, both self-employed and those who prefer a steady job working for a graphic design agency.
The World's Best Countries For Design Careers
Graphic Designers in the United States earn an average annual salary of $52,227. See Graphic Designer salary data by location. We estimate salaries based on 22929 salaries submitted anonymously by Graphic Designer employees. Consider these best countries for designers if you're looking to make your design career more global and situate yourself outside the US.
The United Kingdom
The design industry in the UK is thriving. In fact, in 2018, the gross value added (GVA) of the design and designer fashion sectors totalled £2.52 billion or $3.35 billion.
London and Glasgow are two of the world's major design centres. From an economy based on might and machines to one that increasingly relies on services and technology, the UK has evolved.
From those who pioneered post-war aviation to those designing robots and artificial intelligence today, design has played a key role in these developments, evolving with economic shifts, boosting productivity and fostering innovation.
Designers from the United States flock to the UK for a few reasons. First of all, there is no language barrier. Compared to the US, the UK has a cost of living that is 12.21% lower. Hence, living in the UK is less expensive. But the United Kingdom is one of the countries with the highest graphic design salaries. The average annual salary in larger cities like London is $72,500.
Canada
The design scene in Canada is very active despite the relatively small population of a country so large in geographical terms. Graphic designers in Canada make an average salary of $48,750 a year. There has been an increase in demand for graphic designers and illustrators in Canada as well as other parts of the world due to the need for streamlined brand assets across various media platforms. The following are some of Canada's largest employers for graphic designers and illustrators:
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Quebec
- Alberta
China
China was the top smartphone market in 2020, according to an interesting fact. It has a penetration of 60.75%, which is higher than that of India, the US and Indonesia combined. The Chinese are very devoted to their mobile devices. Thus, mobile design and development are one of the country's top priorities.
Shenzhen in particular is an international centre for design and innovation, widely recognized for its achievements in these fields. As a City of Design, it supports startups in the region with funding. Shenzhen has 6,000 design firms that employ approximately 100,000 people.
On average, graphic designers make $1276/year in China. China has a lower earning potential for graphic designers when compared to the US. However, China has a cheaper cost of living—34.1 per cent less than the USA. You would earn a high salary and live comfortably if you moved to the country. Furthermore, China has the most Fortune 500 companies of any country. In other words, it offers great work opportunities at companies like HBIS and Xiaomi.
Sweden
Swedish design schools and firms are among the best in the world, and the country boasts many top-tier design schools. Those seeking work in the design field will have a lot of opportunities in urban areas thanks to the presence of numerous tech companies.
With a high quality of life and a reputation for entrepreneurship and innovation, the country possesses a tolerant and peaceful atmosphere. Swedish graphic designers earn approximately $34,927 per year on average, according to the US News and World Reports Best Countries for Quality of Life listing. Those designing websites receive $46,610, while those designing user interfaces receive $48,281.
Japan
In the spheres of science, technology, and innovation, it is no secret that Japan is one of the industry leaders. A big step forward has been made by the country towards preparing to host the forthcoming Olympics in 2021.
If you are a designer looking to grow your talents and learn new ways of designing, Japan can be an excellent destination as it possesses an intriguing culture and an out-of-the-box approach to embracing design technologies.
Japanese designers are among the most creative and technologically advanced in the world. Therefore, there is significant potential here in the design industry.
Israel
In Israel, several startups are flourishing. Tel Aviv is in fact ranked sixth and runners-up on the list of the top 30 startup ecosystems in the world. A combination of its high-tech nature and the fact that it has a relatively low cost of living makes it a desirable choice for many professionals in the design industry. In Israel, some of the factors that contributed to the city's top-ranking are things like funding, talent. Graphic designers take home around $30,829/year, Web designers $47,944/year, and, UX designers get $75,558/year.
Designing is one of the most satisfying careers because your skills are highly sought after. This allows you to decide where you want to live and where you want to work. Getting to know companies in top design markets can be as easy as establishing relationships with freelancers anywhere in the world. If you're seeking a city with a good balance of affordable housing, a thriving culture, and jobs, then you shouldn't hesitate to settle down there.
If you are considering relocating or are looking for graphic designer opportunities it could be a good idea to get in touch with a graphic design agency that can assist your search.
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