How and How Much to Hire Remote Designers: A Detailed Guide to Cost-Effective Strategies
With over a decade of building efficient remote teams for businesses from startups to IPO-ready companies, I’ve witnessed the benefits of tapping into global talent pools. Drawing on this experience and my agency’s data, I’m creating a series of detailed guides on roles that U.S. companies can benefit from by hiring internationally.
In this guide, I’m focusing on the impactful role of Remote Graphic Designers from Latin America.
| Senior Graphic Designers in LatAm: | 7000+ Senior Graphic Designers |
| Primary Hubs for Senior Designers: | Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia |
| LatAm Designers in US Companies: | 21.5% of senior graphic designers in Latin America are employed by US companies. |
| Industries Hiring Designers: | Design Services: 70% Advertising & Marketing: 25% Others: 5% |
| Designers with High English Proficiency: | About 20% of senior graphic designers in LatAm have a high level of English fluency. |
| Workplaces by Company Size: | 1-50: 44.44% 50-200: 22.22% 200-500: 11.11% 500+: 22.22% |
| Average Tenure of Senior Designers: | 3.6 years |
| Designer Retention Rate: | 81% |
| Globy’s Average Hiring Time: | 3-8 weeks |
| Designer Salary Range: | $21k – $45k USD |
| Preferred Method of Hiring: | #1 Contract #2 Employment via EOR |
| Preferred Method of Payment: | Wise, Payoneer, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Crypto |
| Most Common Technical Skills: | Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch App, Procreate, Mudbox, Maya |
| Most Common Design Types: | Graphic Design, Web and Digital Design, Print Design, Branding & Identity, Motion Design |
| Most Common Creative and Conceptual Skills: | Creative Ideation, UI/UX Design, Brand Development |
| US Companies Hiring LatAm Designers: | Wunderman Thompson, Superside, Ready Set, TelevisaUnivision, Marco MKT, Paramount+ ,TBWA\Worldwide, Ariadna Communications Group, SGK, 121, RAPP, Leo Burnett, Schawk!, SGK, GRI Club, LSC Communications, Superside, ONErpm, Omnicom Media Group, Ketchum, Colour Republic, MWW |
Why Hire a Remote Graphic Designer from LatAm?
For American startups, tech companies, digital agencies, PR firms, and communication companies, the challenge is finding the right talent at the right cost. Graphic designers are key in crafting a brand’s visual identity, affecting customer engagement and business success. Yet, balancing quality with budget often poses a challenge.
Latin America’s graphic designers offer a solution. The region’s rich cultural heritage and advanced art and design education have fostered a vibrant creative scene. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are known for producing world-class talent that is recognized both locally and globally.
Benefits of Hiring Sr. Graphic Designers in LatAm
Cost-effectiveness:
Latin American countries often have a lower cost of living compared to the U.S., allowing for competitive salaries while maintaining high-quality output.
High-quality talent:
Latin American designers are academically qualified and offer a unique cultural perspective that enhances creativity in projects.
- Time zone compatibility:
Most Latin American countries align with U.S. business hours, supporting real-time collaboration and communication.
Understanding the Skills of Graphic Designers in Latin America
When scouting for talent, especially graphic designers from Latin America, one reassuring aspect is the consistency of design skills across the region. At Globy, where we’ve interacted with designers from over 25 countries, I’ve personally analyzed the most common skills among qualified senior graphic designers from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, as noted in our database.
I’ve broken down the skills here to give you an idea of what to expect from Latin American talent:
Technical Proficiency
Primary Design Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe XD
Video and Motion Graphics: Skills in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects are common, enabling designers to create dynamic video content and motion graphics.
UI/UX and Web Design: Figma, Sketch App, and Adobe XD are frequently used for designing and prototyping user interfaces, reflecting a strong capability in web and digital design.
Advanced 3D and Animation: Tools like Mudbox and Maya cater to those projects requiring 3D modeling and animation, expanding the scope of what these designers can achieve.
Diverse Design Expertise
Graphic and Print Design: This includes everything from flyers and brochures to large-scale print advertisements.
Web and Digital Design: Designers are adept at crafting visually appealing and functional websites, along with digital marketing materials.
Branding and Identity: Creating cohesive brand identities that resonate with target audiences is a common skill.
Motion Design: With the rise of digital media, motion design is increasingly crucial for engaging content.
The Strategic Advantage of Hiring Senior Graphic Designers from Latin America
When advising clients on expanding their remote teams with graphic designers from Latin America, I always share a simple rule: If you’re considering hiring mid-level talent based on U.S. standards, aim for senior-level candidates abroad. The rationale here isn’t necessarily a question of skill but more about attitude, cultural fit, and communication skills, which are crucial for seamless integration and effective collaboration.
Apart from specific hard, tech, or design skills tailored to your needs, an ideal candidate for a remote senior graphic designer position would typically have:
Profile of an Ideal Senior Graphic Designer
Experience:
At least 5+ years in graphic design, demonstrating a deep understanding of design principles and industry standards
Direct U.S. Company Experience:
Experience working directly for U.S. companies, not through consulting or outsourcing agencies, ensuring a familiarity with U.S. corporate culture and expectations.
Stability:
A work history showing longer tenures at companies—frequent job changes, especially less than 1 year at a company, can be a red flag.
Communication Skills:
Excellent communication and English skills are non-negotiable for effective collaboration and understanding client needs.
Professional Maturity:
Demonstrated ability to manage projects independently, lead design initiatives, and mentor less experienced team members.
Risks Associated with Hiring Mid-Level or Junior Designers
While most people understand the benefits of hiring senior talent over mid-level or junior designers, I still frequently get asked to find junior designers. In most cases, I say no because we don’t work with that level of talent. It’s a big risk for you and could hurt my reputation too. Here’s why:
- Higher Turnover Rate: Less experienced designers might not fully understand job expectations, leading to higher turnover.
- Cultural Misalignment: Mid-level or junior designers often lack direct exposure to U.S. companies, increasing the risk of cultural misunderstandings.
- Language Barriers: English proficiency and professional communication are often weaker in less experienced designers, delaying recruitment and integration.
- Inexperience with Remote Settings: Juniors and some mid-level designers may not know if remote work suits them, adding risk to their long-term viability.
- Slow Onboarding: Onboarding designers unfamiliar with U.S. work culture can slow initial productivity.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hiring Senior Talent in LatAm
Moreover, these senior designers bring a wealth of professional skills and direct experience working for well-known U.S. agencies in client-facing roles. Thus, from a financial standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to take on the risks associated with hiring less experienced personnel. Hiring senior Graphic Designer from Latin America can offer savings of up to 50-60% compared to U.S. candidates while also bringing world-class expertise to your projects.
By focusing on senior-level talent in Latin America, companies can avoid many common pitfalls associated with remote hiring, ensure a higher level of productivity right from the start, and achieve significant cost savings—all while accessing a pool of highly skilled professionals accustomed to working in the U.S. market.
Interested in Finding a Remote Graphic Designer?
Strategic Hiring Hubs for Graphic Designers in Latin America
In my role as the co-founder of Globy, I’ve analyzed various factors that influence the decision to hire graphic designers from Latin America. These include the size of the talent pool, experience with U.S. clients, and the compatibility of time zones. Here’s why these factors are critical and how they play out across key locations in Latin America.
1. Size of the Talent Pool
A large talent pool is crucial as it often correlates with the speed of hiring. While exceptional talent can be found even in smaller countries, the ability to quickly source and onboard great designers is a significant advantage. This is why understanding the market capacity in different countries helps streamline the recruitment process.
2. Experience with U.S. Clients
Cultural fit and familiarity with U.S. corporate norms are essential for seamless integration. Designers experienced in working with U.S. companies are likely to have a better understanding of expectations and communication styles, which is vital for maintaining brand consistency and ensuring project success. That’s why to highlight the value of specific talent hubs, I’ve included major U.S. employers actively hiring graphic designers in each region.
3. Time Zone Overlap
Time zone compatibility facilitates easier communication and collaboration, which is especially important for roles requiring alignment during standard U.S. business hours. Fortunately, Latin America broadly shares compatible time zones with the U.S., making real-time interaction feasible.
Analyzing Key Locations:
At Globy, we focus on senior roles exclusively, and I’ve already explained why. The analysis below is based specifically on highly experienced senior graphic designers:
Latin American Sr. Graphic Designer Market Overview
Across the Latin America region, you can find approximately 7,000 senior graphic designers, with 20% having experience with U.S. companies.
- Major U.S. companies hiring senior designers in Latin America: Wunderman Thompson, TelevisaUnivision, Paramount+, TBWA\Worldwide, Leo Burnett, and MWW are active in the region, highlighting a vibrant market for graphic design talent.
- Time Zone: The time zones in Latin America generally align well with those of the U.S., offering minimal disruption in workflow coordination.
Mexican Sr. Graphic Designer Market Overview
- Approximately 2,000 senior graphic designers, with 20% having experience with U.S. companies.
- Major U.S. companies hiring sr. designers in Mexico: Design Pickle, LSC Communications, and TelevisaUnivision are active in Mexico, indicating a robust market for graphic design talent.
- Time Zone: Aligns well with U.S. time zones, offering minimal disruption in workflow.
Brazilian Sr. Graphic Designer Market Overview
- Around 1,500 senior graphic designers, with 13.5% working for U.S. clients.
- Major U.S. employers hiring sr. designers in Brazil: Firms like Ketchum and Creata have operations in Brazil, showcasing its significant role in the graphic design outsourcing market.
- Time Zone: Mostly compatible with U.S. Eastern time, allowing for substantial overlap.
Argentinian Sr. Graphic Designer Market Overview
- About 1,000 senior graphic designers, 20% of whom have U.S. experience.
- Major U.S. companies hiring sr. designers in Argentina: Companies like Wunderman Thompson, Leo Burnett, and TBWA\Worldwide are notable for their hiring in Argentina, highlighting the country’s creative prowess.
- Time Zone: Very favorable for collaboration with U.S. companies.
Colombian Sr. Graphic Designer Market Overview
- Over 1000 senior graphic designers, with the highest percentage (28%) having U.S. experience in the region.
- Major U.S. companies hiring sr. designers in Colombia: Companies like SproutLoud and VMLY&R COMMERCE show a strong U.S. business presence, making Colombia a significant hub for graphic design.
- Time Zone: Highly compatible with most U.S. time zones.
Other LatAm Regions
- Talent: More than 1,500 graphic designers spread across smaller markets, with 20% working for U.S. companies.
- Major U.S. employers hiring sr. designers in other LatAm countries: Omnicom Media Group and Colour Republic LLC are significant players in these regions.
These hubs not only offer a vast pool of talent but also demonstrate proven experience with U.S. clients and favorable time zones for collaboration. When considering where to hire from, these factors collectively ensure that the chosen designers can integrate well and contribute effectively to U.S.-based teams.
Market Overview and Analysis of Senior Graphic Designers in Latin America
If you’re thinking about hiring senior graphic designers in Latin America, it’s important to get a grasp on the market dynamics like tenure, retention rates, hiring timelines, and language proficiency. At Globy, we’ve dug into our comprehensive database to bring you insights into these key areas, providing a comparative analysis across different countries in the region.
Average Tenure of Senior Designers
The average tenure of senior designers in Latin America stands at 3.6 years, which indicates a moderately stable job market. However, the tenure varies significantly by country:
- Mexico: Average tenure is higher at 4.5 years.
- Brazil: Close behind Mexico with an average tenure of 4.3 years.
- Argentina: Leads with the highest average tenure at 4.6 years.
- Peru and Colombia: Show shorter tenures at 3.3 and 3.1 years, respectively, suggesting a more transient workforce in these markets.
Tenure Distribution
The distribution of tenure across these countries reveals deeper insights:
- Countries like Mexico and Argentina show a higher percentage of designers staying longer, which could indicate more stable job conditions or satisfaction.
- Peru and Colombia have higher percentages of designers with tenures of less than one year, possibly pointing to a more dynamic or less satisfying job market.
Retention Rates
Retention rates are a crucial metric, reflecting the likelihood of designers staying within their roles:
- Argentina shows the highest retention rate at 86%, aligning with its longer tenure average.
- Brazil and Other LatAm countries also show strong retention rates at 83% and 82%, respectively.
- Peru has the lowest retention rate at 77%, which correlates with its lower average tenure.
Average Hiring Time
The time it takes to hire a senior designer in these regions ranges from 3 to 8 weeks:
- Argentina and Colombia exhibit the shortest hiring times, potentially due to a more efficient hiring process or a more responsive candidate market.
- Peru shows the longest hiring time, which might reflect challenges in finding candidates who meet specific qualifications or perhaps fewer available candidates.
English Proficiency
English proficiency is critical for roles involving coordination with U.S. companies:
- Overall, only 20% of candidates across Latin America are qualified at an upper-intermediate or fluent level of English.
- Mexico and Argentina lead with slightly higher proficiency rates at 22%, while Colombia lags at 18%.
The data shows that countries like Argentina and Brazil offer a more stable environment for senior graphic designers, probably due to better job satisfaction and career opportunities.
If you’re hiring in Latin America, keep these factors in mind and tailor your recruitment strategies to the unique dynamics of each country. Improving English proficiency through targeted recruitment or training can significantly expand the pool of qualified candidates. Understanding each market’s nuances will also help you attract and retain top talent more effectively.
Compensation of Senior Graphic Design Talent in Latin America: Factors to Consider
Understanding the compensation landscape for senior graphic designers in Latin America is essential for U.S. companies looking to hire internationally. Here, I’ll break down the average salary ranges and provide analysis on key factors that influence these figures, including the mode of employment, which can significantly impact net take-home pay.
Average Salary Range for Senior Designers in Latin America:
Mexico has a broader salary range, from $25-$51k USD, with senior designers commanding higher salaries due to the increasing demand for specialized skills, particularly in the tech sector.
Brazil also exhibits a wide range, from $21-$49k USD, reflecting the diverse economic conditions across the country’s regions. The growing demand for digital marketing and technology skills drives salaries towards the upper end of this range.
With a range of $25-$45k USD, Argentina offers relatively competitive salaries. However, inflation and economic instability often necessitate hiring in USD to maintain stable compensation.
Both Peru and Colombia have comparable ranges, from $20-$40k USD. The demand for graphic design talent in these markets is growing, yet remains cost-effective compared to other regions.
Other Latin American countries exhibit a broad range from $18-$49k USD, indicating the variability in salary expectations across different markets.
Factors Influencing Salary Ranges
Experience and Expertise:
Seniority and specialized skills, particularly those relevant to U.S. markets, command higher salaries.
Direct U.S. Client Experience:
Designers who have worked directly with U.S. clients tend to have a higher earning potential due to their proven ability to navigate cultural and business expectations.
Local Economic Conditions:
The cost of living and economic stability in each country can greatly affect salary expectations.
Demand in Specific Markets:
High demand in tech and digital marketing hubs can drive up salaries due to competition for top talent.
Employment Method Considerations
Compensation directly depends on the model of hiring. Direct employment and contracting are different in terms of compensation range and taxes. For a detailed understanding of each model’s impact on salary, refer to my other article that discusses this comprehensively.
Strategic Compensation Planning
Setting the ‘Gold Median’ salary around $35-40k USD balances competitiveness with budget management, ensuring you attract top-tier talent without excessive expenditure. For designers with significant U.S. experience, offering towards the higher end of the salary spectrum ($40-45k USD) is prudent, as it secures commitment by aligning with international pay standards for similar roles.
Long-Term Perspective on Compensation
Compensation should be seen not just as an expenditure but as an investment in high-quality talent. Offering a competitive package in a stable currency not only secures the designer but also enhances satisfaction and retention. Utilizing platforms like Deel, Oyster, and Carta for up-to-date salary data can aid in making informed decisions that align with global trends and expectations.
In summary, understanding the various factors that influence compensation, including how you plan to hire—whether as contractors or through direct employment—will help in crafting offers that are attractive to senior designers in Latin America and beneficial to your company’s long-term success.
How to Source and Recruit Top Graphic Designers in LatAm
Recruiting the right senior graphic designers in Latin America requires a strategic approach, especially when you aim to find individuals with excellent communication skills, proficiency in English, and experience working with U.S. companies.
Here are the 5 most typical channels:
It’s like the hotspot for pro networking. You’ll find tons of talented designers there, especially those who’ve got the chops for working with U.S. companies. Keep an eye out for language skills and experience.
They’ve got potential, but watch out for language barriers. Most listings will be in Spanish or Portuguese, and not everyone’s English game is up to par.
Platforms like We Work Remotely attract a more global crowd, but competition can be fierce. You might need to sift through a bit to find the right fit.
This is where the magic happens. Dive into LinkedIn with specific filters to target your dream candidates. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but way more efficient.
Sometimes, it’s worth investing in expertise. A specialized recruiting agency, like Globy, can be a game-changer. They typically charge a placement fee of around 15-20%, with payment terms split as 50% on the candidate’s start date and 50% after three months. This setup often includes a 90-day warranty period for free replacement if things don’t work out.
Before diving in with an agency, I always recommend my clients request 3-5 calibration profiles. At Globy I always make sure to include Senior Graphic Designers with detailed portfolios and even short videos from interviews, ensuring we align perfectly with the client’s expectations. In many cases, clients are able to hire someone from these initial calibration candidates.
Learn more about our approach to finding and vetting senior graphic designers here or check our recent case study where Globy helped a leading PR & Communication agency from NY secure a senior graphic designer in just 3 weeks with a 33% conversion rate.
Conclusion
Hiring senior graphic designers from Latin America can be a game-changer for U.S. companies looking to build a diverse, creative, and cost-effective remote team.
By understanding the regional nuances, leveraging the right sourcing strategies, and focusing on skills and cultural fit, you can access exceptional talent that adds significant value to your organization while helping you significantly reduce hiring and operational costs.
Hiring a Remote Graphic Designer?
Frequently asking questions
When hiring a graphic designer in Latin America, prioritize candidates who communicate effectively in English and have experience working with US or international companies. They should have a strong technical and professional background in design, with a portfolio that includes projects specifically for the US market to ensure they understand your audience’s preferences and requirements.
From a tool and technical skill perspective, there are usually no significant differences between graphic designers in the US and Latin America, as both have access to the same design software and technologies. However, to avoid potential communication issues and differences in processes and approaches, it’s advantageous to focus on talent who already have experience working with US companies. This experience ensures they are familiar with the expectations and standards required by US clients, leading to smoother project flows and collaborations.
While language barriers can be a concern, they are generally manageable. Approximately 15-20% of senior graphic designers in Latin America possess a proficient level of English. This is typically sufficient for effective communication with US teams and even directly with US-based clients. This highlights the importance of assessing language skills during the hiring process, especially for roles requiring frequent client interaction.
There are three efficient methods to consider when searching for graphic designers in Latin America. Firstly, engaging with a recruitment agency like Globy can streamline the process, as they specialize in connecting US companies with global talent. Secondly, you can use LinkedIn to directly reach out to designers. Although effective, this method requires careful filtering and can be time-consuming. Lastly, accessing databases of pre-qualified designers provides a balanced approach, offering a pool of talent that is already vetted and open to new opportunities. For example, Globy provides a Slack bot that simplifies finding pre-qualified talent quickly.
