After communication/graphic design—which far exceeds every other industry—most designers work in business and the arts, including fine art, art history, and design history.

After art direction—which far exceeds every other skill—most designers are skilled in drawing/painting, photography, data visualization, UI and UX design, coding, copywriting, and 3D/animation. Among “non-design” skills, project management, leadership, SEO/social media, and mentoring also rank high.

Most designers work full-time in-house or at an agency/consultancy, which is consistent with census data from 2017. Slightly more designers today work freelance or are self-employed, and slightly fewer do contract or permalance work.

The drop off rate for full-time employees working in-house or at an agency (as well as contract/permalance workers at the same companies) is around the four-year mark, which is when many designers reportedly tend to stagnate. Most self-employed/small business owners are in it for the long haul—for 11+ years. Of all these groups, educators vary the most, with many working at the same institution for anywhere from just a handful of years to a decade or longer, though it’s interesting to note if there is a burn-out period for educators, it’s around year 9-10.



I've worked here since is on the X axis, Working status is on the Y axis “The reason I left my job was that after fours years I had a feeling in my gut that I was done. I was ready for something new, but I didn't know what it was. I felt like I had plateaued. I knew the drill at the studio, and sure, you learn something new with every client, but overall I felt a little stuck.” —Alex Stikeleather, 30, freelance designer/art director (Brooklyn, NY) “The reason I left my job was that after fours years I had a feeling in my gut that I was done. I was ready for something new, but I didn't know what it was. I felt like I had plateaued. I knew the drill at the studio, and sure, you learn something new with every client, but overall I felt a little stuck.” —Alex Stikeleather, 30, freelance designer/art director (Brooklyn, NY)

These responses are remarkably similar to the 2017 census data, with most designers working in either very large or very small companies.

These responses are remarkably similar to the 2017 census data, with most designers working either 40 hours or 41-50 hours each week.

Those consistently putting in 60+ hours each week are self-employed/small business owners and educators. Those consistently working between 40-50 hours are full-time employees. Freelancers and students make up the majority of designers working less than 40 hours each week, though this may be due to time that’s split across different types of work or time spent on school work.



Distribution of designers by working hours is on the X axis, Working status is on the Y axis