It’s no secret that finding a job in the creative and design field can be difficult.
According to new research, the demand for creative talent will remain fairly stable but show some decline in 2018, with 5% of advertising and marketing executives planning to expand their teams in the next 6 months, down from the 12% in 2017.
However, research shows that executives who plan to add creative staff will be recruiting for a range of specialties in the first half of 2018, including web design/production, print design/ production, and mobile design/development.
Also, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that employment in design occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2016 to 2026, adding about 41,100 new jobs to meet the growing demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, TV, and smartphones.
So whether you’re ready for a change of scenery or are looking for a new design gig, there are plenty of opportunities. Check out the most in-demand, best-paying design jobs in 2018.
1. INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS
Industrial designers have the opportunity to blend art, business and engineering. They conceptualize and develop innovative design solutions that balance consumer needs within technical constraints and manufacturing processes. Industrial designers also collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to create customer experiences for the next generation of product There are currently 43,000 industrial designers in the US and 4,300 new positions have been added since 2011.
2. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Graphic Designers are visual communicators. They create concepts and bring them to life through logos, fliers, marketing and sales collateral, signage, animation, photos, and more. They collaborate with web developers and copywriters to create concepts and designs that help translate the brand’s message and marketing initiatives to their target audience. Demand is high for Graphic Designers in the U.S., which explains how 21,000 new jobs were added since 2011.
3. USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
UX Designers are conceptual problem-solvers. They create user-focused experiences that help engage and draw in your audience. This individual is resourceful and has great experience with innovative design. They support the marketing function by designing HTML prototypes, visual interfaces, and interaction in web-based applications. In 2017, UX Designers were in high demand and the market is still growing. UX Designer jobs are projected to grow by 13% in the next 10 years and there were over 150,000 open UX Design jobs in North America in 2017.
4. MOBILE APP DESIGNER
Mobile App Designers have experience creating visual designs across a variety of digital media and communication channels and an in-depth understanding of how to apply the methodologies of visual design to complex interactions. This individual also has strong graphic design skills, with a good understanding of typography, intuitive layouts, and palate development. With the rise of mobile advertising, the demand for skilled mobile app designers has increased. In 2016, 18% of creative executives were looking to hire skilled Mobile App Designers and that number continues to grow.
5. WEB DESIGNER
Web Designers combine strong visual elements with front-end web development to create a pleasing and memorable online experience. They provide UI/design pattern guidance and have experience working across multiple devices (web, mobile, and tablet). From 2008 through 2018, the job outlook for Web Designers increased by 13% and is expected to rise to 20% through 2022. Professionals who have specialized in website animation can expect to enjoy even stronger job growth because of the ever-increasing use of the internet.
ADVICE FOR JOB SEEKERS
Even though the hiring outlook in 2018 for creatives and designers forecasts slow growth, there are still companies and executives looking to hire top designers. And they are struggling to find great talent. According to one study, 53% of executives said it’s challenging to find creative professionals today, up from 45% six months ago.
You must stand out to get through the clutter and obtain top positions. As a job seeker, you must show off your skills with a top-notch portfolio to increase your chances of getting hired. Also, include case studies in your portfolio to share your real-world experience and explain your role in challenging projects.
Another option to improve your job prospects is to start a freelance design career. It can be difficult to get started, but if you take the right steps now, then you can ensure a smooth transition into freelancing when the time comes and have the freedom to pick and choose which projects you want to work.
Finally, when searching for open positions, rely on niche job sites or creative staffing specific job boards to find the best open positions. Many employers avoid posting their job openings to generic websites because they get too many unqualified applicants.
ADVICE FOR EMPLOYERS
The pool of top design talent is expected to be deeper than in previous years due to the slower pace of hiring that is expected. However, that doesn’t mean hiring top designers is going to be a walk in the park. Surveys suggest that marketing and advertising executives rate design positions as some of the hardest to fill due to the glut of sub-par candidates.
To increase your chances of hiring the right designer, be highly selective based on the quality of portfolios. It is important to know what a top designer’s profile looks like in order to save large quantities of time. Many employers don’t have any experience hiring design talent and often make hiring mistakes that result in turnover or lost productivity.
Lastly, consider partnering with a professional creative staffing firm that has access to top designers and understands how to evaluate portfolios and prior experience to ensure a successful match of candidates with your needs.