Best Cities for Graphic Designers

If you’re considering a career in graphic design, you’ve probably learned a lot about the required skills and experience. But did you know that the city you live in matters as well? While Graphic Designers can and do live anywhere (especially since a lot of them work on a freelance basis), some cities provide more opportunities than others. These opportunities can come from higher salaries and strong artistic communities, among others.

Here, we’ll discuss which North American cities those are and why each one is a good fit for a Graphic Designer. 

What is a Graphic Designer?

A Graphic Designer is a creative professional who combines text and visually appealing imagery to share a message with an audience. This could be through advertising, social media, or product packaging, to name a few. They are well-versed in design principles like color and typography and are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends. Whether they work for an agency or freelancer, they collaborate with clients and other team members to create high-quality designs that appeal to new and existing customers. 

In addition to proficiency in professional design programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, a successful Graphic Designer must also work well with others. Graphic Designers rarely work alone, and since their job is to create a product that matches a client's vision, they must be willing to accept feedback and suggestions from others. Time management skills are also crucial for a Graphic Designer; since most of them work freelance, they often work on multiple projects for many clients simultaneously. 

Read more about what a Graphic Designer does. 

What Makes a City Good for Graphic Designers?

When it comes to which city they want to live in, there are several factors aspiring Graphic Designers will want to consider. Of course, you’ll want to balance these aspects according to what matters most to you; some people will prioritize earning the highest salary possible, while networking opportunities and community support may be more important to others. Below are just a few things to reflect on as you plan for your new career: 

Job Opportunities

Because businesses in nearly every industry require branding and marketing to earn money, Graphic Designers looking for job opportunities can find them pretty much anywhere. That being said, some industries tend to hire a greater number of designers. Companies that focus on marketing, publishing, or manufacturing often provide the most opportunities. If stability and security are your top priorities with your new career, you may want to focus your job search in cities where these industries are in high demand like Minneapolis, which is home to several major advertising agencies, or Chicago, home to dozens of publishing houses and animation studios. 

However, living in one of these cities could lead to a higher degree of competition for open positions. If you’re just starting out, you could instead try your luck in a less popular industry where your application may have a higher chance of standing out from the pack. For example, Graphic Designers are becoming more relevant in the healthcare field. Cities like Cleveland and Milwaukee are known for this industry, but may be lacking in designers because of their smaller artistic communities. 

High Salaries

Indeed lists the national average salary for a Graphic Designer as around $54,000. There are plenty of cities where designers earn more, though this is often due (at least in part) to the city's higher cost of living. When prioritizing salary, you’ll want to determine the spending power of that salary; how far will that dollar go? You can start this research by reviewing your current expenses (housing, gas, food, etc.) and looking into how much these things cost where you plan to move.

As you might suspect, many big cities like New York and Chicago provide lots of artistic opportunities for Graphic Designers, but they also have high costs of living. However, if working in a bustling metropolitan area is your goal, there are ways to stretch your dollar. For example, you may not need to budget for car payments, insurance, and gas since bigger cities tend to have efficient public transportation systems. Other professionals will choose to live in nearby suburban areas and commute into a city. 

Cultural and Artistic Inspiration

Graphic Designers don’t come up with their ideas in a vacuum; they’re inspired by the world around them. This means that Graphic Designers thrive in areas with a high concentration of cultural landmarks and activities. For example, a city like New York boasts a multitude of theaters, museums, parks, and restaurants that designers can access for inspiration. Cities like Boston and New Orleans are filled with unique architecture that can also motivate them to create unique designs. 

If you want to live in an artistic community without worrying about a high degree of tourism, you can also look into smaller cities that still pack that creative punch. Santa Fe, New Mexico, is quickly rising in popularity for today’s creative professionals and is home to plenty of museums, playhouses, and festivals. Smaller cities may provide fewer job opportunities, but you always have the option of remote design work if living in a creative environment is one of your top preferences. 

Strong Graphic Designer Community

Just like Graphic Designers often prefer to live in cities with several avenues of cultural exploration, many also enjoy living in areas where they can network with other design professionals. Philadelphia’s SMU DataArts compiles a yearly Arts Vibrancy Index Report, which lists the most robust artistic communities in the country. Their research is compiled from multiple metrics, including public funding for the arts and salaries for creative professions. You can check out this report to learn more about these rankings and see where your city falls. 

While this list doesn’t solely focus on graphic design, the rankings indicate potential networking opportunities and creative partnerships. Of course, with robust design communities existing online, this might not be a huge factor for aspiring designers who are on the more introverted side; they may even prefer to work remotely from a smaller town and connect with other Graphic Designers on a platform like Facebook or Reddit. 

Top Cities for Graphic Designers

With all of the above factors in mind, some North American cities are ideal for Graphic Designers to call home. Bear in mind that any living situation will bring pros and cons. Living in a larger city will likely mean a higher cost of living but a larger artistic community, while a less expensive city could limit the number of career opportunities. It all comes down to your personal preferences and where you’re willing to make compromises. If you’re looking to move somewhere new to start your career, the cities listed below can provide plenty of inspiration and opportunity.

Austin, Texas

It might surprise you to see Texas featured on this list; this state isn’t often thought of as a hub of creative expression. However, Austin is home to a growing tech hub where numerous startups and entrepreneurs have recently settled. This will likely lead to more opportunities for Graphic Designers as these companies continue to grow. The city is also home to SXSW and numerous other festivals, meaning you’ll never want for inspiration. 

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is another excellent city for a Graphic Designer to call home. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $55,000 and can search for opportunities at many top companies, including Liberty Mutual Insurance, Wayfair, and General Electric. While the city is often regarded for its history, it is full of artistic opportunities as well. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the most highly regarded orchestras in the United States, and the city’s eclectic mix of architectural styles is sure to inspire unique designs. 

Chicago, Illinois 

Plenty of Graphic Designers enjoy living in the Windy City. Home to cultural giants like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, and the Laugh Factory, this city is teeming with creative inspiration. Chicago-based Graphic Designers earn around $55,000 a year. While not much higher than the national average, some can stretch their dollar by living in a more affordable suburb of Chicago, like Oak Forest or Midlothian. Only a 40-minute drive to the city, this option provides the action of city life with more reasonable suburban prices. 

Miami, Florida

Miami offers a robust cultural environment thanks to its proximity to Disney theme parks and a high concentration of Hispanic or Latino citizens. At about $57,000 per year, the average salary for a graphic designer in Miami is only a little above the national average. However, the city has a much lower cost of living than other big cities like New York and Chicago. Florida also has some of the lowest tax rates in the country. 

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is home to major companies with plenty of employment opportunities, including Apple and AT&T. The city is also known for its love of music, architecture, museums, and public parks, which can help keep local artists inspired and foster their sense of community. Graphic Designers in San Francisco earn an annual salary of around $63,000 a year, an impressive 16% higher than the average Graphic Designer's salary. 

Why Become a Graphic Designer?

As the old saying goes, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” For artistic professionals, earning money while being creative is reason enough to pursue a career as a Graphic Designer. However, this profession offers a host of other perks. To start, Graphic Designers work across nearly every industry, so there’s always something new to learn and new people to interact with. For instance, a professional designer might start their career working for a marketing agency before pivoting to healthcare, film, or education. 

Design is also a highly collaborative and rewarding field. You’ll work on designs with input from other professionals, and at the end of that process, you’ll have a concrete product to show off. Finally, Graphic Designers can choose to be self-employed and work remotely for added flexibility. Freelancing may not be for everyone, but knowing the option is there is certainly a bonus, especially in an age where a positive work/life balance is highly sought-after. 

Read more about whether a Graphic Designer is a good career.

How to Find a Graphic Designer Job

Several avenues can lead to finding a graphic design job, but most people will take advantage of multiple methods. A college degree is a common way for entry-level designers to get their foot in the door. Majoring in art or design can lead to many networking opportunities and ensures that your education is comprehensive, which may not be possible through self-teaching. If formal education isn’t a good fit for you, that’s no reason to stop pursuing this career path. A degree isn’t necessary for all graphic design openings. However, your experience and portfolio have to be that much more stellar if you’re competing with candidates who do have a degree.

Although some Graphic Designers freelance full-time, this is another excellent way to find employment with one agency. Aspiring professional designers generally freelance at the start of their careers to build their portfolios and gain practice, but these opportunities often lead to a more stable career. If you performed well in a freelance capacity, you might be at the top of a hiring manager’s list when a position opens up; after all, why would they want to take the risk of hiring an unknown candidate when you’ve already proven your capabilities?

Online design communities on Facebook and Reddit and local chapters of The American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) are other ways that many professionals can get inside tips on how to find work. These networks are full of industry experts, making them a great (and free!) resource for Graphic Designers just starting their careers. Even if you don’t land a job this way, you can still join one to get help troubleshooting your designs and learn more about the latest and greatest trends and technologies.

Learn the Skills to Become a Graphic Designer at Noble Desktop

If you want to start a career in graphic design, the graphic design classes offered by Noble Desktop are an excellent place to start. Students can take all their classes remotely or in-person at their Manhattan campus. For students who want to start slow by just learning one popular design program, Noble offers an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, an Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, and an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. These beginner-friendly courses take just a few days to complete and will provide students with foundational design skills.

For those who feel ready to dive into a more comprehensive program, Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate might be a better fit. Students will complete hands-on assignments using popular design programs, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. This program is ideal for those hoping to start a career as a Graphic Designer. Certificate students at Noble Desktop receive individual career mentorship, where experts in the design industry help craft resumes and portfolios and provide helpful tips for finding lucrative employment. 

If a class isn’t feasible for your current schedule, Noble Desktop has a host of resources on its website to help start your graphic design career. You can browse their collection of articles about Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign if you’re curious about how each program works. You can also review information about other design tools to see if another field might interest you more.