This is the Real Reason Freelance Designers Thrived in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the work environment for many employees. The worldwide lockdown measures have forced companies to enforce remote work, which has gained much popularity in recent months. In fact, according to the surveys carried out by FlexJobs, 65% of those surveyed stated that they wanted to work remote full-time even after the pandemic subsides, while 31% wished to work in a hybrid work environment. Moreover, 27% of employees were even open to taking a 10% to 20% pay cut if they could continue virtual work, while 81% said they would be more loyal to their employers if their work options remained flexible.

While some employees might have been new to the idea of working from home, this has already been the “norm” for freelance designers for years. Thus, this transition has created new opportunities for freelancers, which may last even after the pandemic is over. According to Patrick Llewellyn, the CEO of 99designs, “… while freelancers themselves haven’t changed, the world around them has. As the global workforce adapts – and adopts many of the traits that freelancers have nurtured for years – it has become clear that out of the chaos of this year, significant opportunities have emerged for remote creative connections and the freelance design community at large.”

Before the outbreak of the virus, some people had initially viewed freelancers, especially freelance designers, as less able than full-time workers and did not consider freelancing to be a real job. However, this is no longer the case as the demand for freelancers continues to rise. An increase in client openness to freelance work brought more flexibility and work opportunities to freelance graphic designers in 2020, with over 77% of designers expecting companies to become more open to hiring remote talent in the near future. This has even changed lifestyle opportunities for freelancers as well. Over 41% of freelance designers said they would consider moving to a smaller town if their clients were open to permanently adopting remote work. If they are willing, this is good news for freelancers struggling to make ends meet in expensive cities and rural communities wishing to experience a bigger and more diverse talent pool.

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The pandemic has not only affected the work environment for freelance designers but has also provided new lifestyle changes. While the end of the pandemic is still unclear, one thing remains certain: remote employment is changing the workforce and is here to stay.