Why demand for designers is on the rise

A global survey of design managers reveals that demand for designers is rising, driven by AI adoption and digital transformation across industries.

• •82% of design leaders report their organization's need for designers has increased or stayed steady, with nearly half seeing an increase.
• •73% of hiring managers now require AI tool proficiency, and 79% require experience designing AI products.
• •Senior design talent is prioritized: 56% of hiring managers report increasing demand for senior hires vs. 25% for junior roles.
• •Core skills like visual polish (58%), collaboration, systems thinking, and product strategy remain critical alongside AI fluency.
• •Design job postings across Designer Fund's portfolio were up ~60% in 2025 compared to 2024.