Digital Designers

Employment for graphic designers is expected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This is slower than the average for all careers. But opportunities should be much better for those who specialize in digital design. Employment of graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow by 18 percent over the same period, and job opportunities for designers who work for software publishers are expected to increase by 20 percent. The DOL says that "as companies continue to increase their digital presence, graphic designers may be needed to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites and social media sites." Clearly, as computer graphic and Web-based technology continues to advance, there will be a need for well-trained digital designers.

Job opportunities for Web and digital interface designers are expected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the DOL. This is faster than the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to grow as a result of the continuing expansion of e-commerce. "As retail firms keep increasing their online offerings, demand for these workers is expected to grow," according to the DOL. "In addition, the continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes."

The careers of graphic designer, user experience designer, and user interface designer were included in a list of the "Hottest Jobs" by Robert Half Technology's 2024 Salary Guide: Marketing and Creative Salaries and Hiring Trends.

Competition is expected to be strong in all areas because the design field appeals to many talented individuals. Beginners and designers with only average talent or without formal education and technical skills may encounter some difficulty in finding a job. The increasing use of automated design tools, such as artificial intelligence, may reduce the need for designers, but this technology is still in the early stages of adoption in the design sector.