What Does It Take to Be an International Designer?

Being an international designer means being able to connect with audiences cross-culturally. I have written a lot of articles emphasizing the need for empathy in design; however, this concept extends beyond empathy and goes into accessibility. In order to be a successful designer, let alone a successful international designer, you have to understand your audience. A design that works in one cultural context may fail in another, so global design demands awareness, flexibility, and humility.

Here are a few guiding principles to help shape your design decisions:

Figure 1: Designing with cultures in mind [1].

Design Accessibility

Design with culture in mind. What does your audience value? What resources do they have access to? What problems are most pressing in their context? Asking these questions shifts design from a technical exercise to a human-centered process.

For example, access to technology varies significantly across regions.  In 2014, US Sanctions restricted access to Apple Products in Sudan [2]. Without that technology, they had no need for iPhone cases, lightning cables, or other related accessories. If a problem does not exist in a given context, there is no need for a solution.

Furthermore, consider whether your design unintentionally creates cultural barriers. Symbols, colors, interfaces, and even materials can carry different meanings across cultures. A globally accessible design minimizes assumptions and maximizes clarity.

Study Designs from All Over

Look at designs that have stood the test of time and succeeded across diverse audiences. What makes them intuitive? What makes them adaptable? Studying global examples can expand your design toolkit and challenge your default assumptions.

Figure 2: Anime has become adept at crossing cultural boundaries [3].

For example, K-pop has achieved significant international reach by blending Korean and English lyrics with Western musical influences while maintaining a distinct cultural identity [4]. Its global success demonstrates how specificity and universality can coexist. 

Similarly, Anime has become a mainstream media genre. Though rooted in Japanese culture and art, anime explores universal themes such as friendship, growth, love, and war [5]. Its main appeal shows relatability does not have to compromise culture. 

Both of these examples illustrate that good global design comes from the ability to connect with the user while balancing cultural identities. 

Allow Yourself a Growth Period

Becoming an international designer takes time. You may not understand every culture immediately. Embrace the ability to grow and learn from others. Approach global design with humility, listen to others’ experiences, and stay open to learning. The most effective designers are not just skilled engineers. They are curious and lifelong learners.

Figure 3: Listening enables the ability to learn about other cultures [6].

Some ways to learn about other cultures include taking time to explore their media, talking to representatives of that region, and reading about their history [7]. Having this knowledge allows you to identify what is important to that culture.

Ultimately, international design is not about exporting ideas; it is about understanding context deeply enough to create solutions that resonate within it. In a globalized world, designing across cultures is no longer optional. It is essential—and it begins with the willingness to understand before creating.

REFERENCES

[1] “6 Inclusive Design Tips for a More Accessible Web.” Dribbble, 1 June 2021, dribbble.com/stories/2021/06/01/inclusive-design-tips.

[2] Luckerson, Victor. “Apple Products Are Finally Allowed in Sudan.” Time, 31 May 2014, time.com/3502453/apple-iphone-sanction-tech/.

[3] Peters, Megan. “Is Anime the New K-Pop? The Rise of Global Streaming.” CBR, 17 Feb. 2024, www.cbr.com/anime-like-netflix-kpop-demon-hunters-streaming/.

[4] “Why Is K-Pop So Popular? A Look at the Global Phenomenon.” Curtin University News, 2022, www.curtin.edu.au/news/advice/why-is-kpop-so-popular/.

[5] “The Cultural Significance of Japanese Anime.” Superprof, 24 Aug. 2023, www.superprof.com/blog/japanese-anime-culture/.

[6] “6 Practices That Will Make You a Better Listener.” How We Lead, 10 June 2020, howwelead.org/2020/06/10/6-practices-that-will-make-you-a-better-listener/.

[7] “How to Experience Other Cultures When You Can’t Travel.” University of Arizona Global Campus, 15 July 2021, www.uagc.edu/blog/how-to-experience-other-cultures-when-you-cant-travel.

To cite this article:
Sunday, Emelia. “What Does It Take to Be an International Designer?” The BYU Design Review, 5 March 2026, https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/what-does-it-take-to-be-an-international-designer.