State of the Graphic Design Market

Illustration ©2009 Eric K. Stevens

If you want to get a good feel for the state of the market, publish a want ad. I just did with the hope that it would help me fill four design positions. As many of you know, searching for talent is typically a process fit for a dentist with pliers. That’s certainly not the case now.

As I write this, my inbox is expanding with carefully worded pitches and uniquely formatted CVs. The response is beyond what I hoped for. The first hour after the posting brought 20 inquiries as if each had been prepared and put at the ready for rapid deployment. I cranked the music and set off to make coffee.

An hour later, the inbox was absolutely bloated. Then I scanned the hourly rates and salary requirements.

Resumes are arriving from freelance graphic designers in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The highest rate I’ve received so far is from Naples – a real anomaly. The majority of median rates are coming from Scandinavia, which will make my choosing difficult. The lowest rates I’ve received are from, get this, New York City. With experience from three to eight years, these low rates range from $15 to $25 per hour. That’s freelance, not full-time. Three years, maybe… but eight!? Their work is not bad either. In fact, I’ve received only a few dud portfolios. Most of the work looks very good.

So I’m here to report, the future of graphic design quality looks very bright. Economically though, sort of bleak. But there are definite rumblings of an imminent recovery. We’re all just waiting for it. Tony Gervino said it best in his recent post Uneasy as A, B, C. “As I look around me, It seems to me like everyone is leaning forward, trying to will themselves to pass through these uncertain times as quickly as possible.”

For folks in the US, may I recommend if you currently have a job or contract, to stay put. If you don’t have a job, brace yourself to weather this storm as current competition on the street is brutal. If you don’t like any of those scenarios, start your own business. This is the perfect time to start a business. Above all, keep your chin up and work to raise those rates!
That is, unless you’re working for me.