Design workforce to grow 25% by 2030

According to a study, Singapore will need 17,000 additional designers in the next decade.

The design workforce will likely grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% from 2023 to 2030 as designers become more critical for organisations future-proofing themselves amidst global economic disruption, the National Design Industry and Manpower Study (NDIMS) revealed.

According to DesignSingapore Council's (Dsg) study, the Lion City will need an additional 17,000 designers in the next decade.

In 2021, 67% of Singapore's design workforce worked in non-design sectors, led by advanced manufacturing and trade (18%),  urban systems (15%), and modern services (14%).

“[This]  translates into two designers currently hired in the non-design sectors for every designer who is hired in the design sector,” Dsg said.

In 2023, Dsg said 51.2% of corporations plan to "actively" increase their design headcount.

“Designers provide a unique value to the finance and banking industry where excellence in customer-centred services and products is key. Within the Bank of Singapore, designers play critical roles across a range of functions, such as in product design, user experience, design research and content development. We are constantly on the lookout for designers who not only possess strong design sensibilities, but also transdisciplinary skills such as research capabilities, digital know-how and project management as an overall package,” said  Bank of Singapore’s Chief Experience Officer and Dsg Board Member, Chooake Wongwattanasilpa.

Given the rising demand for design talent, designers' remuneration has also risen.

Based on the NDIMS, designers' median gross monthly income was approximately $6,000.00 in 2022, excluding the employer's CPF contributions.