Key facts
- Industry leaders assert that generative AI will augment, not replace, professional designers.
- Skills such as empathy, experience, and deep sector understanding are identified as crucial differentiators for designers.
- The UK design sector has experienced substantial growth, expanding by 40% between 2019 and the end of 2023.
- Despite fears of job displacement, design employment has seen a 15% increase between 2020 and 2025.
- A significant decline in design and technology GCSE entries highlights a potential future shortage of skilled workers.
Professional designers should not feel threatened by the rapid growth of generative AI, according to industry leaders. Despite widespread public fears of job losses due to AI adoption, business leaders assert that the technology will be used to enhance, rather than replace, designers' work.
Mat Hunter, CEO of the Design Council, stated that designers are using AI to add value and that their imagination and inventiveness will lead to new opportunities. He believes overall employment in the UK design sector should continue to grow, citing a need for more professional designers.
Deborah Dawton, CEO of the Design Business Council, emphasized that skill, experience, empathy, and a deep understanding of sectors are what protect great designers from AI. She suggested that workers should not feel threatened if they operate at a high level.
Research from The King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Policy Institute indicated that 57% of the public believe AI will lead to widespread unemployment. Some freelance designers have reported taking on "soulless" work correcting AI errors.
The Design Council reported that the UK design sector grew by 40% between 2019 and the end of 2023, outpacing the general economy's 23% expansion. This sector, encompassing product, fashion, building, and transport design, now surpasses the retail industry in size. Sectors like construction, services, and manufacturing support approximately 2.27 million design jobs, with a 15% employment increase observed between 2020 and 2025.
While these figures pre-date the widespread adoption of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, recent employment data suggests AI's use has not yet negatively impacted demand for design skills. Hunter highlighted design's essential role across industries, from advanced manufacturing to digital services, often overlooked for its fundamental contribution to usability.
Dawton acknowledged AI's use as a substitute for some designer tasks but noted that imitation has long been present. She drew parallels to the transition when computer-aided design software displaced draughtspeople, suggesting that modern workers can adapt to new roles as the industry evolves. She stressed that while AI-generated designs might look similar, the underlying materials, manufacturing methods, and finishes create distinct products.
Over the long term, Dawton stated the design industry must adapt to technological change, noting that large parts of the industry often drive such change. She contrasted the business focus on efficiency with designers' conversation about AI's potential for creators.
Andrew Duff, head of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers, reported nervousness within his industry, with companies more likely to use AI as an "intern" rather than a replacement for skilled staff.
The Design Council report also highlighted regional growth, with significant increases in income from design in Wales and the north-east of England, although the south-east remains the primary hub. Hunter pointed to a decline in design and technology GCSE entries as a more pressing concern than AI, emphasizing the need for specialized teachers and equipment in schools to inspire future generations.