The emergence of esports in Bangladesh within the last few years has resulted in a peculiar phenomenon where gaming and creative industries intersect, with a particular emphasis on graphic design. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the world was forced to go online, there was a sudden emergence of esports organizations, content creators, and gaming communities in Bangladesh. This phenomenon directly resulted in a sudden need for graphic designers. But as the industry normalizes post-pandemic, there is a growing sense of unease for many graphic designers who are unable to find employment.
Pandemic Boom: A Golden Era for Designers:
The global pandemic has caused a rapid increase in the growth of online gaming. Due to the lockdown, people had to stay at home, and gaming has been a primary source of entertainment. This has caused a rapid increase in the growth of esports around the globe. The same has been observed in Bangladesh, where numerous gaming teams and gaming pages have been emerging.
According to various sources, it has been observed that the popularity of esports in Bangladesh has increased rapidly in 2020-2021. As numerous gaming teams have been emerging in Bangladesh, they required graphic designers to create their branding, including their logos, posters, match thumbnails, and videos.
Meanwhile, the global gaming industry has experienced a surge in growth due to the pandemic. The global gaming sector has witnessed record-breaking engagement on online platforms. The same has been observed in Bangladesh, where numerous freelance opportunities have been emerging in the country, and numerous designers have entered the field of gaming.
A Growing but Fragile Industry:
Even though this boom is present, the esports industry of Bangladesh is still in its early stages. According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, the esports industry of Bangladesh is “relatively small and in its nascent stage, but it holds a high growth potential.” This immaturity of the industry can be seen as having a direct impact on professionals who work alongside it, including designers.
This boom, though, is not equally shared.
Post-COVID Slowdown: Where Did the Work Go?
However, as restrictions began to ease, the rapid growth of esports organizations began to slow down. This is because many of the smaller organizations formed during the pandemic lockdowns began to become inactive or dissolve due to a lack of funding and sponsorship. This has led to a decrease in spending for branding and media.
This has affected the job of graphic designers. They are now facing a hard time finding basic jobs. This is because there is an oversupply of them, and the prices for their work are decreasing. This is because many people got into the field when it was booming, and now there is too much competition.
Another factor is that esports in Bangladesh does not receive adequate institutional support. It is true that the government has officially recognized esports as a sport in 2025. However, according to experts, the regulatory support for esports is still in its infancy.
Untapped Talent and Missed Opportunities:
Bangladesh also has a massive youth population and an increasing digital culture, both of which are major factors in esports development. Bangladesh’s large gaming population is a significant opportunity for creative professionals. However, without proper support structures in place, this potential talent pool is likely to be underutilized.
Experts also point out that esports is not just about gaming; it involves a variety of other aspects like broadcasting, marketing, and design. In addition, a blueprint on national development points out that there is an opportunity to create jobs in fields like media, branding, and event management in esports development Graphic design is also an integral part of this industry.
The absence of long-term planning has left many graphic designers in a state where they do not have opportunities to grow in their field. Rather than working with established organizations to build their portfolios, they tend to switch jobs often.
The Way Forward
Renowned Bangladeshi graphics designer Sudipto Deb gave an overview to The Dacca regarding the topic. He stated that "for Bangladesh to fully realize the potential of its esports industry, a more structured approach is necessary.” This includes:
•Institutional support: Clear policies and recognition can attract investment and stabilize organizations.
•Professionalization of roles: Designers should be integrated into teams with contracts, not treated as one-off freelancers.
•Education and training: Specialized courses in esports design, branding, and digital media can enhance skill development.
•Sponsorship and media growth: Increased brand involvement can create more consistent work opportunities.
The story of graphic designers in Bangladesh’s esports scene reflects both the promise and pitfalls of a rapidly emerging industry. The pandemic created a temporary golden age, offering abundant opportunities and drawing in new talent. But without sustainable structures, that momentum has slowed, leaving many designers struggling to find work.
If properly nurtured, Bangladesh’s esports sector could become a major hub for digital creativity, providing stable careers for thousands of young professionals. For now, however, the challenge remains: turning short-term hype into long-term opportunity—so that talent is not wasted, but empowered.