The sharp rise of generative AI has already shaken up the creative world in new and unexpected ways: from powerful new tools like DALL-E, Chat GPT and Midjourney, to in-built software features that speed up traditionally time-consuming tasks, it feels like almost every part of our lives has been touched by AI in some way.
99designs by Vista surveyed more than 10,000 freelance designers to assess their attitudes and views on how this technology has impacted their careers to date, and what designers think this means for the industry in the future. Gathering insights from creatives across more than 135 countries, here are four surprising findings from the data:
AI is boosting designer income
While the economy is proving tough for many right now, 58% of freelance designers said they expect to earn more from design in 2024 than they did last year. And while it’s not straightforward, the impact that AI is having on their income is significant, and increasing.
In fact, 61% of designers report that AI has affected their earnings this year, up from just 45% in 2023. Slightly more designers feel that AI has boosted their income rather than reduced it, and designers expect this gap to widen in a positive direction in the coming months and years.
Notably, 80% of designers believe AI will affect their future income, with around half (47%) anticipating a positive impact on their income compared to 33% fearing a loss of earnings.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we see the highest reports of AI-fueled income growth from the age groups where there is the highest adoption of gen-AI tools. 44% of Gen Z designers say AI has allowed them to earn more in the past 12 months compared to 27% of Millennials, 25% of Gen X and 17% of Baby Boomers - but the positive pattern across the generations is significant.
More designers are using AI than ever before
It’s easy to be drawn in by negative headlines and the fear that human creativity will be replaced by machines, but in reality, designers believe that generative AI is something that should be incorporated into their processes, not replace them.
After all, only a few designers have no interest in incorporating the technology into their creative practice: 52% are already using these tools in their day-to-day work (up from 39% last year) and another 24% of designers want to start using them more regularly.
While Gen Z designers are the early adopters and are using more AI tools than any other generation, there is a strong interest across all age groups - with even 40% of Baby Boomers using AI in their creative work today, and another 31% reporting a desire to start using the technology.
Currently, the most frequent tasks designers are using AI for include broad idea generation (56%); copywriting (42%); automating basic tasks (31%) and analyzing data (23%)
Designers are becoming more optimistic about an AI-integrated future
In spite of some understandable anxiety, there has been a positive change in how designers feel about generative AI over the past year.
Most freelancers (56%) are excited about AI and the future of design, and even with the fast pace of recent technological advancement, 38% of designers say they feel more optimistic about the topic now than they did compared to the same time last year.
The main reasons cited for this positive shift in mindset include: the improved quality of generative AI tools and outputs (58%); a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI (58%); and changes in client behavior (32%).
AI will create new roles in design
While generative AI has had, and will continue to have, an enormous impact on the creative industries as a whole, another area where designers foresee an unexpected impact is in the type of work that will be available to them.
Almost two thirds of the designers surveyed (63%) believe that in the future, completely new roles will exist in design as a direct result of generative AI technology. Whether it’s as an AI Art Director or a dedicated AI Creative Curation expert, designers definitely see the opportunities that could potentially open up for them.
As such, adapting and learning how to use these tools is non-negotiable for freelancers, regardless of age or industry experience. The overwhelming majority of designers (88%) think it is important to upskill and learn how to leverage generative AI tools in their creative work in order to future proof their roles and keep pace with the changes taking place in the industry today.
While there are, undoubtedly, still serious ethical and legal challenges for the world to face when it comes to artificial intelligence, the positive outlook and sentiment that is found throughout these survey results suggest designers see a future where both AI technology and human creativity are complementary parts of the design process.
Take a look at the infographic below if you are a visual learner:
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