#None #AI Skills #Learning Methods #Design Industry

Surge in AI Skill Acquisition Among Designers

The design industry is currently witnessing rapid changes driven by technological advancements and societal demands. The acceleration of the digital era has widened the skill gap among designers, intensifying market competition. In light of this, we conducted a survey targeting 75 active designers across the country to explore the skills they wish to learn and the methods they utilize for learning.

Survey Overview

• - Participants: 75 Designers
• - Age Range: 20s-60s
• - Method: Online questionnaire
• - Conducting Period: November 11-18, 2025

As the design field enters a period of transformation marked by the rise of AI, we are seeing more designers seeking to adapt their skill sets. The insights from this survey aim to shed light on the genuine challenges and shifts occurring in the industry, serving as guidance not only for career development in design but also for shaping educational environments.

Gender and Age Breakdown

In the survey responses, 56% identified as female, 41.33% as male, and 2.67% chose not to specify. Age-wise, the 30s demographic was the largest group at 34.67%, followed by those in their 20s (29.33%) and 40s (25.33%).

Current Job Roles

Half of the respondents (50.67%) identified as Web Designers, with Graphic Designers making up 32%, and smaller percentages for Video Creators and other roles.

Current Work Style Analysis

A notable 42.67% of respondents work as freelancers, underscoring the trend towards flexible working arrangements in the design sector.

Skills Acquired Recently

The survey revealed that 45.56% of designers have acquired AI-related skills, making it the top skill among respondents. They highlighted the following:

• - AI Tools: Utilization of image generation and design AI tools is significantly changing the design process, highlighting the increasing importance of AI in everyday design tasks.
• - Shift in Perception: Many designers now view AI as a tool for efficiency rather than just an advanced technology meant for a select few. They are increasingly seeing AI as an essential aspect of their skill set.

Growing Importance of AI Tools

Designers are looking to utilize AI to streamline their workflows, thus freeing up time for strategic marketing initiatives to drive business results for their clients. This new approach signifies a seismic shift: rather than replacing jobs, AI is empowering designers to focus on higher-value tasks.

Other Skills and Preferences

Despite the high acquisition rate for AI skills, areas such as video creation, 3D modeling, and coding displayed a lower inclination towards learning, with video editing trailing at 10% and coding at 5.56%. This trend suggests that quick wins in efficiency are taking precedence over investing in higher-cost skills.

Future Learning Aspirations

Looking forward, respondents expressed interest in the following areas for skill enhancement:
1. Video and motion production (18.49%)
2. Marketing and SNS management (17.81%)
3. AI tool utilization (17.12%)
4. Design fundamentals (layout, color theory, typography) (15.75%)
5. 3D/CG (10.27%)
6. UI/UX design (9.59%)

This data indicates a strong need to blend creative skills with marketing strategies. Designers are increasingly expected to produce results rather than just visually appealing designs.

Learning Methods and Trends

When asked how they prefer to learn, a staggering 34.25% indicated that they pursue self-directed learning, such as through books and YouTube, demonstrating a clear preference for flexibility and affordability. Online learning platforms are also gaining popularity, accounting for 15.07% of responses.

Conclusion

The survey illustrates a significant trend in the design industry where AI skills are rapidly becoming standard, reshaping expectations across the board. Designers are striving to not only refine their technical capabilities but also branch out into new domains like marketing and video production, creating a new breed of hybrid professionals adept at navigating the complexities of contemporary design challenges.

For detailed insights into this survey, including real-life struggles designers face when acquiring new skills, further articles are available on our platform.