The best design careers to shoot for in 2023

As technology advances and the demand for creative solutions increases, the best careers in design will be ones that combine traditional design skills with innovative thinking.

This article will explore four of the best design careers to shoot for in 2023: creative director, UX designer, product designer, and motion graphic designer. Each of these positions presents unique challenges, offers competitive salaries, and requires a unique set of skills and qualifications.

Creative director

Creative directors work at a managerial level, taking responsibility for creating, implementing, and delivering a creative brief.

As the head of a team that might include designers, copywriters, and directors, creative directors work collaboratively to develop innovative branding, marketing, and digital solutions. At a minimum, creative directors are expected to have a strong understanding of design principles, as well as the ability to manage a team and collaborate with other departments.

As the highest paying career featured in this list, a creative director can expect an average annual salary of $90,000 - $120,000 inclusive of bonuses, although – like all salaries in this article – this may vary depending on location, experience, and other variables.

As a creative director, on a typical day you might:

• Manage a team and collaborate with other departments.
• Come up with creative solutions to problems.
• Monitor project progress and ensure deadlines are met.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients.

To get started, you may need the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in design, art, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in a creative role
• Strong understanding of and experience in the application of design principles
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Experience managing a team and meet deadlines
• Track record of creative problem-solving

UX or UI designer

UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) designers share the goal of creating user-friendly experiences across products, websites, applications, and other digital experiences. The difference between the two roles lies in their areas of expertise. UI designers focus on the aesthetic and functional design of individual web pages or digital products. UX designers, on the other hand, focus on these same principles but in relation to a higher-level view of a product, website, or service. Both roles prioritize making “human-first” design decisions that result in intuitive interaction with a given product.

A UX designer can expect an average salary of around $80,000 - $100,000, including bonuses.

As a UX or UI designer, on a typical day you might:

• Create wireframes, storyboards, user flows, process flows and site maps to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas.
• Develop mockups and prototypes that clearly illustrate how sites function and look like.
• Collaborate with other team members including developers and copywriters.
• Monitor user feedback and make necessary changes.

To get started, you may need the following qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a design role
• Knowledge of user interface design principles
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work with developers and monitor user feedback

Product designer

Product designers are responsible for designing physical or digital products – from conception through to production – that meet the dual functions of aesthetics and functionality. The role requires a strong understanding of design principles and the ability to apply these throughout the process of interpreting a creative brief, researching customer needs, developing and testing prototypes, and producing a final product.

A career in product design can provide opportunities to work on innovative products that solve real-world problems, collaborate with other creatives from different disciplines, and gain valuable insights into how customers interact with products.

A product designer can expect an average annual salary of $90,000 - $120,000, including bonuses.

A typical day as a product designer might see you:

• Research and interpret briefs.
• Create designs that meet user needs.
• Work with developers to ensure the correct implementation of designs.
• Create and test design prototypes.
• Monitor user feedback and make necessary changes.
• Stay up to date with market trends.

To get started, you may need the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of product design principles and their application to physical and digital products
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with creatives and developers

Motion graphic designer

Motion graphic designers are responsible for creating animated graphics for television, film, and other media. A subset of graphic design, motion graphics can be a great field for graphic designers to move into, or as a stand-alone career for those interested in animation as a tool for marketing, advertising, or storytelling.

A motion graphic designer can expect an average annual salary of $60,000 - $80,000, including bonuses.

As a motion graphic designer, on a typical day you might:

• Design and animate 2D/3D motion graphics using Adobe After Effects and other industry-standard software.
• Collaborate with creative teams to develop concepts for motion graphics projects.
• Develop storyboards to illustrate the desired look and feel of the project.
• Ensure that all motion graphics meet quality standards and adhere to client specifications.
• Work closely with editors to ensure that all elements are properly integrated into video content.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends to create innovative designs.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to motion graphic design.

To get started, you may need the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of animation principles and experience implementing these
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work with developers and monitor user feedback
  

Taking a professional step into the world of design

Whether you want to start a new career or are looking for ways to advance, these three strategies can help you start the path off with new career goals in tow. Working your way through the world of design is not as intimidating as it may seem, you’ve got this.

Gain experience

Gaining experience is an essential way for designers to develop their skills, build confidence, and gain knowledge of the ins and outs of their specific niche.

What’s more, it provides opportunities for both networking and potential employment. At the start, you can be flexible in how you do this. It includes anything from volunteer work to freelancing gigs. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself in a paid full-time role.

Gain exposure

Once you’ve got some design experience under your belt, gaining exposure can help you showcase your work, build a following, and connect with potential employers or clients.

Gaining exposure can be as simple as creating professional social media pages to share work and network within the design community. There are also formal opportunities that include industry events such as conferences and workshops, and submitting work for competitions or publications.

Put together an impressive design portfolio

A stand-out design portfolio is the way to showcase your design experience and gain exposure simultaneously. Ideally, a portfolio should include examples of previous projects that demonstrate both technical proficiency and creative thinking. Awards received, client testimonials, and a design resume can also all add to your portfolio.

Not sure where to start? Here are some templates you can use to get started. With Readymag's intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of design features, you can easily create professional-quality portfolios that are sure to impress. You can add media to your portfolio, animate it, and customize the look and feel to match your personal style.

In addition to its design capabilities, Readymag also offers a range of helpful features that make it easy to share and collaborate on your portfolio. You can invite team members or clients to view and leave comments on your work, and easily publish your portfolio to the web with a single click.