The design sector is rising significantly in China. Design directors are in demand due to its large population and developing technological industry. Thus, many foreigners are pursuing design director jobs in China. What does this job entail? What about pay and prospects?
A design director manages a company’s design process. They oversee a design team to build a brand-wide visual approach. This involves brainstorming, designing, assuring brand consistency, and overseeing design implementation.
A design director must also analyze and follow industry trends to ensure that the company’s designs are unique and market-driven. It takes creativity, leadership, and design knowledge to succeed in this role.
China’s design sector has grown rapidly due to its burgeoning economy and focus on innovation and creativity. Startups, tech enterprises, and worldwide corporations have increased throughout the country, requiring creative solutions to compete.
With significant events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai Expo, Chinese enterprises have realized the value of design in brand promotion and identification. This has increased demand for creative professions, especially designers.
As demand for design experts rises, so does the Chinese employment market for foreigners. Foreign firms with operations in China seek to hire foreign design directors to provide a new perspective and international expertise to their staff.
To serve worldwide markets, Chinese enterprises, particularly multinational ones, are open to recruiting foreign design directors. This is a great chance for international designers to learn and experience a new culture.
Specific areas of need for design directors in China include:
1. Tech Industry
Tech giants Alibaba, Huawei, and Tencent drive China’s innovation. These organizations always require design directors to build attractive and user-friendly goods and services. Design directors earn more in this profession owing to the increased demand for specialized expertise.
2. E-commerce
With the increase of online shopping in China, e-commerce design directors are in demand. JD.com and Tmall compete for customer attention, thus a strong visual identity is essential. This sector combines creativity and commercial ability, making it appealing to international design directors.
3. Advertising/Marketing
As previously said, Chinese enterprises are increasingly emphasizing design in marketing. This has increased advertising and marketing design director jobs. Baidu, Didi, and Haier are always looking for innovative designers.
Design directors in China earn different salaries based on sector, region, experience, and firm size. Glassdoor reports that design directors in China earn 250,000–500,000 RMB (roughly $36,000–$72,000.
Due to the greater cost of living, design directors in prominent cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen earn more. Foreign design directors earn more than Chinese ones owing to their worldwide expertise and industry understanding.
In addition, many Chinese employers give housing allowance, health insurance, and performance incentives, which may boost remuneration.