Graphic Designers
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
Use computer software to generate new images.
Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
Research new software or design concepts.
Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment.
Photograph layouts, using camera, to make layout prints for supervisors or clients.
Research the target audience of projects.
Write or edit copy for clients.
Prepare digital files for printing.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type. | 63.9Observed | 52.6% | 8% | |
| Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts. | 66.03Observed | 53.4% | 12% | |
| Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design. | 62.5Observed | 40.0% | 8% | |
| Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites. | 61.32Observed | 51.5% | 12% | |
| Use computer software to generate new images. | 56.3Observed | 49.5% | 8% | |
| Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed. | 68.42Observed | 54.4% | 5% | |
| Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 6% | |
| Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 6% | |
| Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 4% | |
| Research new software or design concepts. | 63.9Observed | 52.6% | 3% | |
| Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services. | 42.85Observed | 44.1% | 4% | |
| Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing. | 58.05Observed | 72.4% | 3% | |
| Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Photograph layouts, using camera, to make layout prints for supervisors or clients. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Research the target audience of projects. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Write or edit copy for clients. | 85Estimated | 61.0% | 2% | |
| Prepare digital files for printing. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Graphic Designers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsAdvertising and Promotions Managers
31%Median salary: $126,960
Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Art Directors
29%Median salary: $111,040
Higher risk than 35% of other occupations
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
47%Median salary: $78,380
Higher risk than 95% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Desktop Publishers
40%Median salary: $53,620
Higher risk than 80% of other occupations
Film and Video Editors
35%Median salary: $70,980
Higher risk than 66% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Interior Designers
33%Median salary: $63,490
Higher risk than 59% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Multimedia Artists and Animators
34%Median salary: $99,800
Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

Creative studio protests AI-generated content with slop monster sculpture
A design agency is publicly rejecting generative AI by debuting a physical art piece at the British Art Fair that mocks low-quality automated outputs.
Improving AI Poster Generation Threatens Graphic Design Gigs
Advancements in AI image generation are producing higher-quality poster designs, challenging the notion that automated artwork is inherently flawed. This raises the bar for human graphic designers competing against increasingly capable AI tools.

AI Ads Fool 83% of Consumers, Threatening Creative Agency Jobs
A new advertising industry test reveals that the vast majority of people cannot distinguish between human-made and machine-generated campaigns. This high pass rate for synthetic media puts immediate pressure on commercial artists and copywriters.

Autodesk says AI should give artists time to experiment, not make them work twice as fast
Autodesk's EVP of Media & Entertainment is pushing back against the expectation that AI tools must double artist output, advocating instead for using the saved time to enhance creative experimentation.

Backlash grows against small businesses replacing human artists with AI
A local business faced severe online harassment after substituting a human designer with an AI image generator for marketing materials. The incident highlights the growing public hostility toward companies that cut creative jobs to save money using AI.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis