How to become a digital nomad designer: 5 things you need
Call it freelancing 2.0.
From the moment digital nomadism erupted onto the scene and into our social feeds, creatives have leapt at the chance to make the lifestyle their own. They’ve quit their respective 9-to-5s for good, with the rationale being: why be chained to a desk when you can be your own boss from the beach?
And it’s no fad. In fact, we’ve watched the lifestyle become pretty mainstream, having been refined and mass-marketed to workers everywhere. There are even digital nomad summer camps for networking, and workshops designed to make the jump easier. It’s led many independent (read: creative) workers to take advantage of their employment status: by traveling around the world full-time, while working remotely.
For designers working in an industry reliant on freelancers, a location-independent lifestyle isn’t just within reach–it’s also potentially pretty lucrative.
Let’s cut to the chase. You’re here because you want in. But because many designers are confused about what to expect once they hit the road, or haven’t yet taken that first step, we put together this guide covering all the what-ifs and how-tos. So when you do decide to buy a one way ticket and spread your wings, you can fly with a little more confidence.
Why designers are natural nomads
The only prerequisite for being a digital nomad is having a job that allows you to work remotely. Designers have the unique luxury of working both remotely and autonomously, making them prime candidates for a nomadic lifestyle.
Design work relies on creativity, and creativity relies on inspiration. That said, it’s no coincidence that creatives tend to be passionate about travel. All of the new sensations and experiences bring new, fresh ideas.
For designers, stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new locale is essentially creative bootcamp. Traveling can help you improve and expand your skills; it’s easier to pick up a new technique or style when you’re staying in the region that created it. Even indirectly, the microadventures of nomadic life offer new perspectives and opportunities for personal growth–both of which will translate into your design work.
That’s precisely how the designers of former creative studio SOMA found inspiration. Sofia Saxlund and Maria K were both designers roaming solo when they linked up on the road. They traveled and worked together, citing their lifestyle as a major influence in their designs.
“We are children of experiences. Everything we see and everything we learn influences our personal style.”
Who’s to say? With the number of designers already working as digital nomads, you might discover a future collaborator on your travels, just as SOMA did.
Okay, but what’s the catch?
Big disclaimer: nomad life isn’t all endless sunset mimosas and hostel raves while writing invoices. Though the lifestyle captures the imagination of many, it still terrifies others. How do people live alone in a strange place? What if you run out of money? Don’t you need to learn a bunch of new languages?
It’s perfectly normal to be scared in the face of a life-changing decision. And we’ll keep it real: this lifestyle doesn’t suit everyone. Almost every perk comes at a cost; you may need to sacrifice things like seeing your friends and family on a regular basis, or occasionally miss out on holidays.
But if you’re sure this is something you want to do, don’t let your fears hold you back. Here are the five things you need to make the transition that much easier.
#1: An internet connection
The inherent flexibility of nomad life drew you in, but there’s no way around this: you can’t partake in aforementioned sunset mimosas if you don’t have a source of income. And to make money, you’ll need work.
To work, you’ll need decent WiFi. Because “Sorry, I was on top of a remote mountain” isn’t a viable excuse to clients expecting time-sensitive revisions, you’ll want to plan your trip around places that support internet connectivity and client communication.
On that note, make sure you have enough work lined up to keep busy, and more than you think you’ll need. That might mean postponing travel until your career has steadied and you’ve filled your pipeline with a few good projects.
One way to build your career before you depart (and keep new jobs flowing in while you’re abroad) is by joining a global creative platform that provides new work opportunities and clients for you. Pro designers who have nomadic life down to an art swear by them because they make it easy to collaborate with clients. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.
#2: A decent cushion
Even with a steady inflow of work, the freelance designer’s life is often plagued by uncertainty. This can be infinitely thrilling and frustrating.
But when the stakes are high, you have to be ready for all eventualities. This means being honest with yourself about your finances, and having enough savings before you hit the road.
Be prepared to make mistakes in your first few months on the road. You may screw up on budgeting, or simply have bad luck. At the bare minimum, you want to have enough money in your account to buy a plane ticket home if things go sour. Even better would be saving up an amount equal to a few months salary to fall back on if needed.
When we say cushion, we’re also referring to any steps you need to take to be ready for the unexpected. Keep backups of your files at home, waterproof your phone, insure your laptop, hoard USB dongles, whatever! Have a plan B (and C). You can never be too prepared.
#3: Less stuff (or more storage)
Need help stuffing your cushion? Sell some of the stuff you can’t take with you.
Part of the thrill of nomadic life is letting go of the earthly possessions you don’t need. Evaluate the things you can live without and get rid of them. You might even feel relieved once you get rid of the “extra weight” in your life.
These days, there are plenty of options for when a purge is in order. You could hold a garage sale (and design a beautiful sign to announce it), list items on Craigslist or eBay, and donate whatever’s left over. Swap out heavy books for a lightweight Kindle (and grab one secondhand if you’re feeling really thrifty). Take a long, hard look at your belongings–Marie Kondo-style–and ask yourself if each pair of your shoes sparks joy. If they don’t, say goodbye.
Most airlines charge extra for baggage that weighs over 30kg (66 lbs.), so aim for that weight or less if you plan on bringing back mementos from your journey.
For sentimental items or things you otherwise can’t get rid of, see if you can find some cheap local storage, or ask a friend or family member to keep them safe for you.
#4: The ability to talk to another human
Not every designer is an extrovert, but even the shyest individual finds something that works for them. Being on the move means stepping into environments where you don’t know anybody. The faster you can find a friendly face, the better.
You could stay in communal hostels, go out to bars and coffee shops, join a meetup, or participate in local activities. Reach out to your social networks to see who might be traveling at the same time as you. Alternatively, take the discomfort of not knowing a language and turn it into a learning experience: join a local language exchange group.
Of course, building a healthy social life on the road also means knowing which places to avoid. Some areas have poor accessibility for those with disabilities, some are unfriendly to the LGBTQ+ community, and some are just plain dangerous for everyone, including locals. Always research a location beforehand and read reviews from those who’ve actually experienced it.
If risks are a dealbreaker for you, or if you just prefer not to travel alone, you can always join a group of other wanderers. There are plenty of digital nomad communities that travel in packs, particularly useful for riskier countries. Not only is this a solid way to build a network, these programs show you the ropes of traveling when you’re new to the game.
#5: Your wits
There’s a lot about the digital nomad lifestyle that can’t be taught. With an open mind, you’ll learn it as you go. But you’ll need your wits to adapt to all the surprises that come with frequent traveling, especially at the start. Call it your traveler’s instincts.
Things like understanding visa laws, how to avoid pickpockets, or where to find coffee shops with the fastest internet are all skills you develop and improve the longer you travel. But unless you take an active role in learning them, you’ll forever travel like a novice. We have faith in you!
The takeaway
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
If living a nomadic lifestyle is truly a dream of yours, you can overcome the obstacles and make it a reality. After all, thousands of other designers have already proven it’s possible–scroll through Instagram for proof. As long as you’re prepared, the only thing you have to worry about is where to go next.
