Maybe I Chose the Wrong Country… or Just the Wrong Career?
That’s what I thought while watching a video on Instagram of a graphic designer proudly showcasing their house in Tokyo, Japan. I stared at my screen, then glanced around my own space and thought, Well, at least I have my WiFi bill to keep me company. LOL.
Am I being materialistic? Maybe.
With over 15 years of experience as a visual designer in Indonesia, I still get projects — but some barely pay enough to cover a weekend’s worth of fast food and regrets (sobbing while eating chips).
Another challenge of this design universe — filled only with designers is the never-ending subscription cycle. To remain productive (and, you know, survive), I have to keep paying for design tools. Every month, I whisper to myself, “This is an investment… right? Right??”
Once, I took on a project that barely covered my Adobe Illustrator and InDesign subscription. That’s it. No profit, just software. And yet, I still accepted it. Why? Here are my thoughts:
- Fear of Losing Work: A low-paid project is still a project, right? Gotta keep the lights on somehow.
- Market Saturation: Scroll through LinkedIn, and you’ll find a hundred other designers willing to do it cheaper.
- Lack of Industry Standards: Unlike doctors or lawyers, there’s no universal pricing guide for designers — so compensation is all over the place.
- The “Exposure” Trap: We’ve all heard it: “This will be great exposure for you!” But exposure doesn’t pay the bills.
- Underestimating Value: Sometimes, I forget that even a “simple” illustration that takes two hours still has value.
Looking back to 2016, I remember being able to rent a small room, eat well, and even pay off my car installments. Why is it so different now?
Maybe it’s because recent graduates and career switchers are diving into design due to the “Tech Wave.” Maybe it’s the post-COVID-19 “Tech Winter,” creating an imbalance in job opportunities. Or maybe it’s the ongoing global recession. (Let’s not even start on government policies…)
Yet, I can’t stop comparing myself to that Tokyo designer. So, I did some research:
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Freelance Designer Earnings by Country:
- United States & Canada: $38,400 — $384,000 per year
- United Kingdom & European Union: $24,000 — $250,000 per year
Cost of Living Index (2025):
- Switzerland: 98.4 (Expensive but high income)
- Indonesia: 28.5 (Affordable but low earnings)
- India: 19.5 (Even more affordable, but salaries match)
So… I’m not imagining things, right?
What’s the Solution?
Honestly, I don’t know the big picture, so please don’t expect a life-changing conclusion. I’m just sharing my experience so that other designers feeling the same way know they’re not alone.
But if you’re hiring a designer, here’s a simple way to figure out a doable payment:
1️⃣ Ask about the tools they use — then check the monthly subscription costs.
2️⃣ Compare it to your own expenses: How much coffee do you drink per workday? How much is your electricity bill? Mobile data? Internet? Lunch?
3️⃣ Add it all up.
That’s the bare minimum a designer invests just to work.
So when setting a budget, think beyond the project — think about what keeps that designer’s creativity (and electricity) running.
Until the next post!
