In the art industry there are a lot of professional paths that a graphic designer can take. Designers can work with a company, a designers group, freelance, marketing, and the list goes on and on. The great thing about design is that many work on a deadline based schedule, so you can work when you want, where you want as long as you get everything done on time. In my experience, I haven’t met many of the people I’ve done work for and some of them I have only exchanged emails or messages with. I have had clients in Florida, Texas and New York all while I am residing in Scranton, PA.

And although the workforce has changed in recent years with many companies and businesses realizing the reality of remote jobs, for designers it’s almost always been an option to work from “home.” A digital nomad by definition is “a person who earns a living working online in various locations of their choosing (rather than a fixed location).” What that means is you get paid to travel. 

Since I am a broke, ambitious design student, the idea of getting a job after college that will allow me to work and travel is the jackpot. In fact there are websites that can help you find month to month, furnished rentals in various cities across the United States. If your adventurous nature expands outside the states, there are resources that will help you get visas for countries that are looking for online workers to live and help stimulate their economy. Some of these places will even pay you to come and stay. Thailand, Portugal and Spain are among the list of countries that offer digital nomad visas and are filled with free wifi, cafes and community work spaces in order to create a welcoming, collaborative work environment.

Additionally, as an artist you should be provoked to travel and see new places and things because you never know what inspiration and things you might learn that spark creativity in new ways. It opens doors to meet new people and artists and make connections around the world all while working remotely and making a living. 

Resources to check out to learn more about digital nomad life:

Furnished Finder – Find furnished, month to month stays

Digital Nomad Visas – A list of countries and the scouting report on living there and what their visas entail.