How Middle East tensions are affecting design jobs in the gulf

What’s happening is serious

The rising tension between Iran and Israel is more than just a headline. It’s spilling over into real concerns for professionals working or planning to work in the Gulf. From Kuwait to the UAE, people are wondering if it’s still safe to accept that job offer or relocate for a new role.

As someone who works with clients in these countries, I’ve been receiving messages that sound familiar. “Should I still move to Qatar?” “Will hiring freeze across the region?” “Is this the right time to go international?”

These are valid questions. And I’ve been asking them too.

But here’s the truth I keep coming back to

Every few years, the world reminds us that certainty is temporary. Whether it’s a pandemic, inflation, layoffs, or war, the external landscape keeps shifting. If you’re a designer looking to grow globally, you cannot build your mindset around external stability.

What you build inside, your process, your output, your identity, is what will carry you through. The more you trust that, the less fragile your path becomes.

So what should you do now?

1. Focus on what is still within your control
   Update your work. Improve your systems. Reach out to clients or companies. Fear spreads fast, but clarity travels further.
   
   

2. Say yes when it aligns with your goals
   Don't let uncertainty be your default answer. If an opportunity feels right, and you’ve worked for it, don’t hold back because of what might happen.
   
   

3. Keep showing up
   Keep applying. Keep posting. Keep talking to people in your industry. Staying visible is not about self-promotion. It's about staying connected to the world you want to grow in.

My message to designers in uncertain times

We’re not here to design for trends or chase comfort.
We’re here to create things that matter.
That doesn’t stop when the world feels shaky.
If anything, that’s when it matters more.

If you’re navigating uncertainty in your own career or looking for clarity in your next move, I’m open to talk. Whether it’s about design, opportunity, or just staying focused, feel free to reach out below.

I read every message.