Graphic Designers
Machines can already do 52% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 78%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Graphic Designers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 52% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 37% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 78% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 197,830 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $62,960 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: Artist, Brand Designer, Designer, Graphic Artist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts | 16% | 35% to 65% | |
| Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites | 13% | 78% to 97% | |
| Use computer software to generate new images | 11% | 84% to 97% | |
| Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design | 9% | 30% to 60% | |
| Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor | 8% | 35% to 65% | |
| Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed | 7% | 42% to 72% | |
| Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type | 5% | 77% to 97% | |
| Prepare digital files for printing | 5% | 52% to 86% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills graphic designers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Special Effects Artists and Animators74% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,030
- Art Directors67% of tasks by 2035 · US median $114,850
- Film and Video Editors64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $75,420
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,490
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Graphic Designers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of graphic designers?
Machines can do 52% of the tasks of graphic designers today and 78% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-1024.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Graphic Designers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/graphic-designers/