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Best Country | City for Graphic Designers

Donateko's picture

Hello all,

I haven’t post in a while because I’ve been going to school full-time while deployed to Iraq, so I don’t have much time off. Being here and seeing the things I have seen, I made the decision to get out of the military and dedicate completely to Graphic Design [I should have my degree by the time I get out]. The more classes I take, the more excited I get about Graphic Design; however, when planning my future a question always pops up:

What is the best country and city to work/live as a Graphic Designer?

It hurts to say, but the social and economic trends I keep seeing in the U.S. are not too appealing to me so I am considering to move to a different country once I get out in a couple of years. I currently speak Spanish, English, and some Korean. If it was your choice, what country would you work/live in as a Graphic Designer?

Donateko

Ivan's picture

I think Northern/Western

I think Northern/Western Europe is the best place professionally. But these places are expensive to live. You should spend some time in Eastern Europe or Russia too. There are some amazing artists around here.

Donateko's picture

What I was thinking

Hi Ivan, that is exactly what I was thinking, mainly Germany or Belgium, but as you said, it is a bit expensive to live there. For some reason I have this idea that people in Europe are more aware of aesthetics and good design, but I don't really know, because I have never been to Europe so it is more of a "theory"

--designer wannabe--

spigot's picture

My choice would be New Zealand

I think you'll find a market for your services anywhere you go that has a somewhat decent/stable economy.

With that in mind, I'd choose a place I'd really like to be... because as much as you'll love being a designer, it is still just a job (at least to me). That's why I've chosen to live in Park City, Utah. There's an economy here and I get a lot of time to ski and mountain bike.

Good luck, enjoy the process of choosing where you want to be. Not everyone gets (or takes) that opportunity.

~ spigotdesign.com

natobasso's picture

I'm moving to New Zealand

I'm moving to New Zealand Nov. 15th. Do you mention it for its aesthetic beauty or because you know the market for design is flourishing there? I'd love to know your thoughts!

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Powerpoint is not a design application

plugz's picture

A move to any capital or second city is a good plan...

Working in London there are tremendous opportunities afforded to me, however the cost of living is extortionate and as a result, I work full time and design freelance at evenings and weekends.

I've found that the design jobs out there aren't right for me and/or don't offer the salary I need to live comfortably. I much prefer freelancing albeit taking up my spare time. I also feel I learn skills I otherwise wouldn't be exposed to in the design industry that bulk out my skill set.

I spent the end of last year working as a business analyst/consultant in Spain and the Canaries, this year I'm working as a project manager after using my freelance earnings to pay for a PRINCE2 PM course.

If I really wanted to, I could knuckle down, take a pay cut and go full time as a designer, but to afford to live as I've become accustomed, it's not an option right now. When your accommodation costs £1250 a month ($2350), you don't have the options that you'd necessarily like.

That's the trade off with city life, always will be, but you have to look at what you want and your options for getting there.

Donateko's picture

Miami

I was originally thinking about settling down in Miami, since there are so many businesses requiring Graphic Design Services, but then started thinking that there are probably thousands of Designers there too. I still have a couple of years before completing my degree and getting out of the military, but wanted to start planning ahead of time.

--designer wannabe--

plugz's picture

I considered moving to Florida last year actually.

It'd be a great place to live, but I wasn't convinced that it would cut it on the work front.

natobasso's picture

I find in the US that any of

I find in the US that any of the largest cities on the East or West coast are preferrable, though as plugz said the cost of living will be higher. Same is true in the Midwest: Larger city = better design market but cost of living is a little bit lower.

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Powerpoint is not a design application

Easentrick's picture

Where to?

Greetings, i'm also a designer-to-be in the second year of my studies (with another year to go). I am currently in Asia and i've been pondering this question a lot in my head as well, that is, where should i settle down and find a job. It would be helpful to know informations of the different industries in the world as well as some recommendations.

onegirlcreative's picture

If I could, I'd move to Europe

It's my dream, but since it's not so easy to pick up and move to another country, (and because I'm married with a kid), I can't.

I have always heard that Great Britain is amazing with design. Not sure if jobs are readily available, but in this economic climate in the U.S., maybe it would be better to go somewhere overseas.

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"The name's Bond, James Bond."

www.onegirlcreative.com

natobasso's picture

You can do it. I've got a

You can do it. I've got a wife and kid and we're moving to New Zealand. :)

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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"

onegirlcreative's picture

Yes, but you're married to a natural born Kiwi

Not so easy to get up and move to another country unless you're lucky enough to be married to a person who is a native of that country.

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"The name's Bond, James Bond."

www.onegirlcreative.com

natobasso's picture

True. It saddens me that

True. It saddens me that it's so hard to do...

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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"

onegirlcreative's picture

That's OK, because my next husband

will be Daniel Craig, so I'll just move to England at that time. ;)

-------
"The name's Bond, James Bond."

www.onegirlcreative.com

jHouse's picture

Haha then you can come and

Haha then you can come and see me too :)

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UPDATED PORTFOLIO
www.jhousedesign.com
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onegirlcreative's picture

I'll remember that...

and I'll look you up then. ;)

--------
"The name's Bond, James Bond."

www.onegirlcreative.com

alissa's picture

whatever you do—

don't move to Dayton, Ohio.

onegirlcreative's picture

Or Colorado....

--------
"The name's Bond, James Bond."

www.onegirlcreative.com

Easentrick's picture

Thanks

Hey thanks for the infos.

jHouse's picture

Move to the countryside

Move to the countryside Dorset, England! Best place to get work!!!!
Haha.

No, seriously.

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UPDATED PORTFOLIO
www.jhousedesign.com
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Easentrick's picture

Dorset?

Hey Jhouse are you working there currently?? i actually like the prospect of countrysides and England is one of my most favoured choices now. Care to tell me more about it??

jHouse's picture

Green flowing meadows, blue

Green flowing meadows, blue sky, beautiful sunshine. (Right now anyway).

In terms of getting work - it's OK if you're freelancer.

Seriously, I'd suggest getting yourself down to Bournemouth, Dorset. Fantastic scene there. Very competitive, very cool stuff going on. I hope to live there!

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UPDATED PORTFOLIO
www.jhousedesign.com
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