21/01/25

Take-Aways for Design from the WEF Future of Jobs 2025 Report

Technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and the green transition will shape the global labour market by 2030. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 synthesises insights from over 1,000 leading employers—representing 14 million workers across 22 industry clusters and 55 economies—to assess how these major trends affect jobs, skills, and employers’ workforce transformation strategies from 2025 to 2030.

Silke Bochat, Global Head of Design and Design Visionary, pionts out a few important aspects to consider when looking at this World Economic Forum’s (WEF) report, such as the report methodology – survey period, scope, focus areas – and who has been interviewed – C-Level, mostly HR; Chief People, Chief Learning Officers, Chief Strategy Offices, and CEOs. Her thoughts and take-aways can be found here.

Designing the Future: Key Take-Aways for Design from the WEF Future of Jobs 2025 Report

1. A Shifting Global Landscape and Its Impact on Design

The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report draws on over 1,000 global employers across 22 industries to predict how economic, technological, and demographic shifts will reshape work by 2030. Key disruptors, including rising costs of living, rapid digitalisation, and climate-change mitigation, are driving widespread changes in skill requirements—an evolution that extends to design roles as well.

2. The Rise (and Partial Decline) of Design Roles

• UI/UX Design on the Rise: Named among the top 10 fastest-growing job roles (in one surveyed segment, ranked #8), UI/UX underscores a greater emphasis on user-centric digital experiences.
• Graphic Design Declines: Traditional graphic design positions feature in the fastest- and largest-declining job categories (#11 and #13, respectively). Although visual communication remains crucial, digital product and experience design appear to be outpacing more static or print-focused roles.
• Implication: These findings illustrate the need for designers to adapt their skill sets—especially towards integrating technology, data, and user experience considerations.

3. Skills That Matter: From Creative Thinking to Technological Literacy

The Report indicates that 39% of current skill sets may become outdated by 2030. However, there is also a slight slowdown in “skill instability,” possibly because more workers are undertaking upskilling efforts. For designers, key take-aways include:

• Creative Thinking remains near the top of employers’ wish lists but is increasingly complemented (and sometimes surpassed) by AI and Big Data, Networks and Cybersecurity, and Technological Literacy.
• Leadership and Social Influence and Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility are also rising in importance, underscoring the need for designers to excel at cross-functional collaboration and adaptive problem-solving.

4. Convergence of Design and Technology

Advances in automation, AI, and digital solutions continue to reshape jobs. For designers, this convergence implies:

• Comb-Based Learning: Beyond their core creative disciplines, designers need broader knowledge in AI, data analytics, and emerging tech, enabling closer collaboration with IT and engineering teams.
• Systems Thinking: As products become more complex, design must integrate smoothly across diverse digital and physical touchpoints, requiring a strategic, system-level perspective—particularly in AI-driven contexts.

5. Navigating Organisational Realities and ‘Design Maturity’

Many HR leaders and executives conflate design with purely “technical skills,” potentially undervaluing its human-centred and creative dimensions. This can place design teams at risk during restructures if leadership fails to appreciate their strategic impact. To counteract this:

• Demonstrate Business Impact: Show how design translates into measurable outcomes—market growth, user satisfaction, or operational efficiencies.
• Promote Human-Centric Approaches: With sustainability, inclusivity, and user experience high on the global agenda, designers can position themselves as indispensable partners in transformation efforts.

6. Preparing for the Future

While the report forecasts net job growth overall, pockets of significant displacement remain likely. Most surveyed employers intend to upskill or reskill staff and recruit for roles requiring emerging capabilities. Designers who embrace AI-powered tools, cultivate adaptability, and develop leadership competencies will be better placed to thrive.

In Conclusion

The WEF Future of Jobs 2025 Report presents a complex yet ultimately promising outlook for design professionals—provided they evolve alongside emerging technologies and changing organisational priorities. As UI/UX design grows in prominence, graphic design faces a shift; creative thinking remains essential, but technology literacy, leadership, and adaptability are growing in relevance. By embracing ongoing learning and demonstrating tangible business value, designers can help shape a more innovative, human-centred future of work.

Read the Full Report: reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf

More Information: weforum.org/publications/the-f[…]obs-report-2025