Are Graphic Design Graduates Losing Jobs to AI? The Shocking Reality

The AI Revolution in Graphic Design

When Darby Hutchby studied visual communication at university in 2017, artificial intelligence (AI) was just emerging. Now, eight years later, graphic design graduates feel they're competing directly with AI technology for jobs.

Major companies are increasingly using AI in marketing campaigns, reducing job vacancies and raising client expectations for faster results. "Because AI can create things so quickly, clients expect designers to do the same, but we take a much more personal approach," explains Hutchby, a 27-year-old Birmingham City University graduate.

Darby Hutchby said people were not seeing the value of graphic designers due to the rise of AI

Major Brands Embracing AI

In 2022, Heinz generated 12 ketchup images using OpenAI for an advertisement. Coca-Cola created a fully AI-generated Christmas ad featuring their iconic truck. Fashion brand Mango faced criticism for using AI teen models in their Sunset Dream campaign, with critics arguing it constituted false advertising and took jobs from humans.

Heinz created this advert using AI in 2022

The Personal Struggle for Graduates

Hutchby spent over a year finding permanent creative work after graduating in 2020, a process that made her question her degree's value. "I did think, 'Oh God, what have I done? I've spent all this money and time on a degree, but am I even going to get a chance to use it?'" she recalls.

The graduate, now seeking freelance work in Birmingham, is upskilling in animation to stand out to clients and "bring as many strings to the bow as possible."

Industry Outlook and Statistics

According to the World Economic Forum, graphic design jobs will be one of the fastest declining roles by 2030 due to AI advancement. This trend extends beyond design - companies like Klarna have implemented AI assistants that replaced the equivalent of 800 human customer service roles.

Ashleigh Sadler was almost tempted to retrain as a paramedic after struggling to find a graphic design job

Graduate Perspectives on AI Impact

Ashleigh Sadler, who graduated from Sheffield Hallam University this summer, believes universities should better prepare students for AI's impact. "AI is damaging for small businesses and taking opportunities away from designers. It's worrying when you're trying to break into the industry," she says.

The 21-year-old from Cleethorpes considered retraining as a paramedic due to the challenging job market. "I've put all this effort in, studying for five years for AI to come round now. It made me question the degree."

Grace Warren from University of Brighton has mixed feelings about AI. While she sees opportunities for graduates to become AI experts, she acknowledges the pressure to learn endless skills. "Feeling threatened by AI is real - you're competing against it, and it creates extra pressure to perform better."

Expert Opinion: Adaptation Over Extinction

Dr. Rebecca Ross from University of the Arts London challenges the notion that AI will "kill" graphic design. "Graphic design has always developed with technological change - from letterpress to phototypesetting to desktop publishing and now Gen AI," she notes.

Dr. Ross believes AI could create new opportunities, though it's impossible to predict exactly how the industry will change. She emphasizes that the human hand and eye remain crucial for creating distinctive work that stands out against AI's "churn."

Dr Rebecca Ross says it is impossible to "fully predict" how AI will change the industry

What Employers Really Want

Creative agency Milk&Tweed looks for proactive attitudes when hiring. Founder Jake Jeffries values candidates who work on projects "for free for my mum's business" or similar initiatives, showing genuine passion.

He emphasizes that ideas remain as important as ever, with software knowledge and real-life experience helping graduates stand out. Jeffries also encourages attention to trends as "defining factors" that make designs memorable.