It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you simply can’t ignore the pace of technological advancement. Most recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come into our lives and had a huge impact on everything from customer service to education and beyond.
But what does it mean for our careers? What about graphic design? First print media lost traction, and now AI is apparently “taking over” many roles, including designers.
Some of you might be asking “Is graphic design still worth pursuing?”.
If so, you’re not alone. Read on through this article where we will explore how a career in graphic design in Ireland may be impacted by technological advancements and specifically how it remains future-proof despite the challenges.
Irish Digital Design is in Demand
Every organisation in Ireland, whether a startup, multinational, or public body, needs design to communicate, compete, and grow. To do that, they need designers to create logos, packaging, websites, marketing materials, digital content and beyond.
According to the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Design & Craft Sector Report 2024, the sector employed 73,000 people and generated €12.7 billion in turnover. The Council also notes that over 14,000 design-related enterprises operate nationwide, ranging from small independent studios to global creative agencies; evidence of how widely design contributes to local and export markets.
Looking ahead, Creative Ireland’s Programme Progress Report 2023 projects that design-intensive and creative sectors will add 20,000 new jobs between 2020 and 2026, alongside an estimated €1.4 billion increase in GVA. This trajectory reflects both continued investment in Ireland’s creative industries and the integration of design into the broader digital economy. The digital transformation of Irish industry is amplifying that growth.
Insights from the Hays Ireland Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide 2024 show that 68% of UX/UI hiring managers expect demand for design skills to rise in the next 12–24 months, with mid-level designers typically earning €45,000–€65,000 and senior roles reaching €85,000+.
Ireland’s globally recognised animation sector employs more than 2,500 professionals across 44 studios, producing internationally acclaimed work such as Wolfwalkers, and Song of the Sea, projects that have earned Oscar and Emmy nominations. Supported by IDA Ireland’s film, TV & animation strategy, this sector illustrates how design and storytelling converge to generate global reach.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s video-on-demand market, a key outlet for motion designers and digital storytellers—, has more than doubled since 2020, reaching €223 million in 2024 and projected to hit €309 million by 2029, according to Statista’s Video-on-Demand Market Report 2024.
Together, these figures show that design in Ireland is not a shrinking profession. It is an expanding, evolving force that underpins the country’s innovation, technology, and cultural identity.
Creativity is Human
Generative AI can speed up tasks like layout or image generation, but it cannot replicate the empathy, storytelling, and cultural nuance that make great design. The strongest proof comes from Irish campaigns recognised on the world stage:
-
Heineken’s “Pub Succession” (Publicis Dublin) won multiple Cannes Lions in 2025 for its heartfelt portrayal of a retiring pub owner finding a successor. It resonated globally because it tapped into community, heritage, and identity—things no algorithm can invent.
-
“The 26th Minute” for Samaritans Ireland (Droga5 Dublin) also won Cannes recognition, using insight (the average length of a Samaritans call) to build an emotionally intelligent campaign that inspired new volunteers.
These projects succeeded because of how they captured and reflected human insight, compassion, and creativity. AI may become a tool in the designer’s kit, but it cannot replace the uniquely human ability to create work that moves people.
A Resilient Career
One of the biggest misconceptions is that design careers collapse when industries shift. The evidence shows the opposite: designers adapt and remain essential.
Even after the decline of print media, Ireland’s design workforce held strong. According to the Government’s Policy Framework for Design and Enterprise in Ireland report (2016), 2.48% of national employment was in design occupations as early as 2014, with digital design alone accounting for 1.2% of jobs.
A report by Morgan McKinley and the UX Design Institute in 2019 showed that Ireland had seen a 320% increase in UX design roles, reflecting how designers have pivoted from traditional media to new digital industries (Silicon Republic).
The trend is consistent across Europe. Eurostat’s Cultural Employment data and the EIF’s Creative Sectors Report show that creative-sector jobs rose 4.5% in 2022, and Ireland now ranks among the top countries, with over 9.5% of the workforce employed in creative industries.
This resilience proves a key point: while industries evolve, design doesn’t disappear, it reorients itself to where it’s needed most. For students, this means your skills remain relevant even when technologies shift.
Flexibility For A Career
Graphic design offers a very flexible career. There are many different paths someone can choose to follow, all with their own pros and cons. In some cases, there is also a strong earning potential:
-
Average salaries: Around €35,000–€45,000 for junior/mid-level roles; €55,000+ for senior designers; and up to €120,000 for Creative Directors (Prosperity.ie Salary Survey 2025).
-
Freelancers: Contractors in high-demand niches like motion design or UX can earn €300–€500+ per day.
-
Specialisations include:
-
UX/UI design in Ireland’s booming tech sector.
-
Motion graphics and animation in media and entertainment.
-
Brand strategy and consultancy for corporate and cultural organisations.
-
Digital and social content design, where demand is expanding fastest.
-
The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) underpins professional standards and recognition, hosting the annual IDI Awards and supporting career development across disciplines.
In short: whether you want to climb the agency ladder, freelance flexibly, or specialise in emerging fields, design offers multiple routes to a rewarding career.
The Create Economy and Ireland’s Culture
Beyond employment and salaries, design has a profound cultural and social role in Ireland:
-
The IDI Irish Design Awards spotlight work that makes a difference, such as Accenture’s ISSA, Intelligent Service Support Agent, which won the 2024 Grand Prix for its potential to support disaster relief through accessible design.
-
The Creative Ireland Programme invested €1.2 billion in cultural infrastructure and supports audiovisual production, embedding design in national cultural strategy.
-
Map Irish Design (part of the 100 Archive) has catalogued more than 2,300 Irish design projects; a living record of how visual design shapes everyday life, from branding to public campaigns.
-
Community initiatives like Cruinniú na nÓg and the Donegal Culture & Creativity Awards show design enriching local life, connecting people through creativity.
Creative Ireland
The Bottom Line
Graphic design in Ireland is an enduring profession that remains exciting, innovative and most importantly, needed. It has endured the collapse of print and it will innovate together with the rise of AI.
A career in graphic design in Ireland is:
-
Economically vital: €11.3 billion turnover, 63,000 jobs, with thousands more to come.
-
Resilient and adaptable: From print to digital to AI, design skills evolve to remain essential.
-
Rewarding: Clear career paths, strong salaries, and freelance flexibility.
-
Culturally significant: Design shapes Ireland’s identity, exports creativity globally, and strengthens communities locally.
For students and aspiring creatives, the message is clear: graphic design is not a dying field at all. It’s a future-proof career built on adaptability, opportunity, and the irreplaceable power of human creativity.
If you are interested in becoming a professional Graphic Designer, have a look at our industry-accredited courses.
FAQ
Is Graphic Design Important?
Graphic design is important in Ireland because it helps businesses, communities, and cultural organisations communicate with clarity and impact. It builds trust, strengthens identity, and makes information more engaging and accessible. From national campaigns to local initiatives, design ensures ideas are seen, understood, and acted upon.
Is Graphic Design in High Demand?
Yes, graphic design is in high demand in Ireland. Over 14,000 design-related enterprises operate across the country, and Creative Ireland forecasts 20,000 new jobs in the sector by 2026. With growth in tech, entertainment, and digital media, designers are needed more than ever to shape branding, campaigns, and user experiences.
Is Graphic Design a Good Career for the Future?
Yes, graphic design is a good career for the future in Ireland. The sector generates billions in turnover, supports tens of thousands of jobs, and is expanding fastest in digital-first areas such as UX, animation, and motion design. With strong demand, clear career paths, and cultural recognition, it remains one of the most resilient and rewarding creative careers.
