Career Options
The field of information design has grown and evolved rapidly in recent years in response to the proliferation of data and vast new data sources. Institutions and businesses of all types are acutely in need of professionals who can translate this information into compelling visual forms and narratives, particularly within digital media.
According to industry opinion leaders, nearly every type of organization has an acute need for effective information design and for professionals with a “big picture” understanding of how to blend the technical aspects of digital design with customer experience; i.e., all aspects of a comprehensive digital strategy.
Hiring trends now favor digital media generalists who can act as integrators across the design and development team rather than those with more narrow digital or creative skill sets or who require retraining.
Extensive proprietary market research shows expected strong job growth in the disciplines touched by information design. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts continued growth in areas touched by digital design, due in large part to the increasingly important role that digital media play in customer relationship management.
IDS Potential
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions support the need for new information design and strategy skills to keep pace with the changes in the digital media field. There are several trends that will likely impact the job market in the field of digital media communications:
- By 2020, there will be a 22% increase in the need for Web developers and computer network architects.[1]
- The job market for graphic designers continues to grow. Between 2010 and 2020, the job growth among graphic designers is expected to expand 13%.[2] Current trends suggest that in order for designers to remain competitive, they will need to develop broader skills that will enable them to be a more integral part of an organization.
- The job market for public relations and communication specialists is expected to grow at a rate of 16 to 21% by 2020, and much of this growth is fueled by increased attention on customer relations and social media. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Increased use of social media … is expected to increase employment growth for public relations specialists. These new media outlets will create more work for public relations workers, increasing the number and kinds of avenues of communication between organizations and the public. Public relations specialists will be needed to help their clients use these new types of media effectively.”[3]
1 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm
2 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Arts-and-Design/Graphic-designers.htm
3 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Public-relations-managers-and-specialists.htm#tab-6
