Do I have to live in a big city to do well in the field of Graphic Design?

Hi Lakin

Graphic designers work in may different scenarios---large businesses, design studios, advertising agencies, on their own as freelancers. Good graphic design is needed everywhere, so while you would probably make more money in a large metropolitan area and have more employment opportunities, you could also do OK in a smaller or mid-sized city. (Keep in mind also that big cities are more expensive to live in than smaller ones).

Remember, that graphic designers do not make a lot of money to start with, they often have to work their way up the ladder, but you should eventually be able to make a comfortable living doing what you LOVE. My sister in law just retired as a graphic designer for a utilities company in a medium sized city, and she had a comfortable lifestyle and loved her job.

Not necessarily. You can freelance and build experience. Get your name out there. That’s what I did.

No you do not need live in a big city to do well as a graphic designer. The only advantage is having access to lots of clients you can court in person - well planned visits you can be scheduled even if living in a small town. Today’s virtual world allows for people to work anywhere as long as connectivity is good. Publicity and public awareness is key post work on social media (Facebook & Instagram) and on design sites like Dribble and Behance along with a well crafted site of your own. Good luck!

I have lived in small, middle sized and large cities and the answer is no. There are jobs for designers everywhere. Your best bet is to find a smaller city with a good industry. For example, Raleigh-Durham, NC has a huge technology sector, but you can live in a smaller town and enjoy the benefits of a big city job. It also depends on what exactly you want to do. There are design jobs everywhere.