How Tech Is Shaping Career Opportunities in the Design Sector?

Do you wonder how many of the prominent and globally in-demand design careers today are shaped by technology trends?

Think of a web designer, interaction designer, UX/UI designer, or mobile application designer. Seem like common design career titles? Indeed, they are, however, these career trends are shaped by the emergence of new and evolved technology hardware and digital solutions. The past few decades have introduced us to an era of internet boom, a World Wide Web, global digital connectivity in our hands with smartphones, smart appliances, and the emergence of Web 3.0.

As we evolve, the global technology and IT giants are designing for a new digital realm. Called the metaverse, powered by 5G, Web 3.0, AR/VR/XR solutions, and IoT tech amongst others, it demands new design professionals trained in various new areas.

What does this mean for designers?

Technological advancements continue to reshape our environment. In the design sector, it is fostering new career opportunities. Pushing creativity, collaboration, and innovation to the forefront. Emerging technologies like AR/VR, AI, and IoT are offering unprecedented tools to designers. These tools help the designer to generate, develop, and improve their design ideas into 3D prototypes. Craft more accurate designs, quick iterations, and a small error margin. Leading designers to create immersive experiences, streamline design strategies and workflows, and address complex challenges.

Designers can now explore specialization in niche areas like AR/VR Design, Data-driven design, Inclusive and accessibility in digital design, etc. The rising need to integrate technology into everyday business and life cycles means designers are required to specialize in UX/UI automation, ethical design, human-centred design, and other sustainable design practices.

New-age design careers powered by technology

1. AR/ VR designers

Augmented reality/ Virtual reality designers work on creating immersive experiences. They design and develop applications, games, simulations, and interactive content. Working with 3D modelling, programming, and user interface design. Designers here require proficiency in 3D tools like 3D MAX, AutoDesk 3D, etc. While also handling audio-video production, UX/UI, and game development.

AR/VR technology helps to add depth, a layer of interactivity, and personalization to the graphics. The technology helps to overlay digital information and graphics onto the real world, bringing immersive experiences to life. Designers often use tools like Blender, Maya, 3DS Max, etc. to create realistic and immersive environments. They give a real appeal to characters, objects, and spatial design.

Expertise: The designers have a good understanding of 3D graphics. And have deep knowledge of stack, shaders, and APIs. They generate 3D animation models with sounds and develop a seamless UI interface for virtual reality platforms.

Example: Snapchat is the most popular technology brand that utilizes AR/VR in its filters, geo-filters, and business solutions. Creating interactive ads, marketing, and shopping experiences for its users.

2. Voice UI designers (VUI designer)

A VUI designer works with VUI technology, which allows people to interact with a computer, smartphone, or other technology devices via voice command. For instance: Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Microsoft’s Cortana are global examples of VUIs.

VUI design is also considered as part of inclusive and accessibility design for its benefits to people who have low vision or are blind. They benefit immensely from voice-led technology that offers them an inclusive digital experience.

Expertise: A VUI designer is one responsible to design and create voice UI. The designer generates conversational user interfaces for smart devices. This involves user research, vernacular content research, FAQ research, etc. to design an intuitive voice interface.

Beyond the smart device brands, E-commerce brands like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Flipkart, and Meesho are leading names that hire Voice UI designers.

3. Data visualization designer

This is a stream of UX design, gaining prominence in the modern-day business environment where data-driven decisions are becoming essential. A data visualization designer works on the art of presenting data in a visual format, making complex information easy to digest. However, it goes beyond making charts and graphs. A designer in this field is essentially a storyteller who brings a narrative to the raw data. Designing it in a manner that various user groups can comprehend and resonate with.

Expertise: Data visualization designers work on designing interactive dashboards, infographics, and immersive experiences for internal communication and external. Using leading technology tools like AI, AR, VR, etc.

Global market leaders like Google, Apple, AirBnB, and media and entertainment brands like Netflix, Spotify, New York Times hire data visualization designers.

4. Ethical Designer

As concerns grow over the impact of technology on society and digital data privacy, ethical design has gained prime prominence. It refers to the practice of design that respects data privacy concerns, encourages co-design practices, and resists manipulative patterns. Involves design that is accessible and human centric.

An ethical designer focuses on designing things that are useful, efficient, and safe for the global user. While also making sure it is aesthetically pleasing. Using ethical design principles, designers build products that encapsulate the essence of the environment and the planet.

Expertise: Ethical designers or design ethicists evaluate the moral implications of design decisions. They ensure and promote design processes that promote fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Brands like IDEO, Frog Design, IBM, and Microsoft are leading recruiters for ethical designers.

5. UX Spatial design

It is the design practice that branches from the AR/VR technology. It involves designing digital interfaces that mimic a real-world spatial experience for the users. Designers work with a real-world understanding of depth, perspective, motion, sound, etc. to create intuitive user interactions.

Expertise: A UX spatial designer plays a critical role in crafting experiences that seamlessly integrate technology into a user’s everyday life experience. Designers work with the arrangement and organization of virtual spaces to optimize their functionality and user experience.

Brands like Unity, Autodesk, Sony, NVIDIA, Facebook Reality Labs, etc. hire several UX spatial designers. They are also hired significantly in the game design sector by brands like Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, etc.

Other rising careers that integrate design and technology are AI designers, Generative Designers, 3D modellers, UX/UI automation designers, etc.

In our globally connected and rapidly evolving landscape, designers who embrace technology advancements are well-positioned to lead rewarding careers. Designers should explore the multitude of AI, AR, and coding tools available to learn new methodologies and shape the future of their design careers. Design enthusiasts and students can also learn these tools and methodologies while pursuing a design programme at the Strate School of Design, India.

The school is a pioneer in bringing the latest tools and technologies to the classroom via industry partnerships. One such leading example is the unique partnership with Tata Motors.

Offering the students at Strate School of Design an opportunity to work on live industry projects learning new techniques, skills, and tactics.

Learn more about the partnership here.

Explore the various programmes offered by the Strate School of Design here.