Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design.
U.S. Workers
50,370
Median Salary
$111,040
10-Year Growth
+4.2%
Annual Openings
12,300
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
16 of 16 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
AI: Fully automatable - Modern generative design tools can produce basic layout concepts and specify typography, imagery, animation, video and sound requirements automatically and at scale.
Conceptualize and help design interfaces for multimedia games, products, and devices.
AI: Fully automatable - By 2025 AI can generate interface concepts, wireframes, and interactive prototypes end-to-end, effectively conceptualizing and designing interfaces for many projects.
Prepare detailed storyboards showing sequence and timing of story development for television production.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can convert scripts into detailed storyboards with sequence and timing, using image generation and timing/shot-planning algorithms.
Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
AI: Fully automatable - Generative image and vector tools in 2025 can produce high-quality custom illustrations and graphic elements on demand, making this task largely automatable.
Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
AI: Fully automatable - AI computer-vision and rule-based systems can reliably check illustrations against measurable standards (dimensions, color profiles, resolution, layout specs).
Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can aggregate, synthesize, and summarize current trends and new technologies from large data sources quickly and continuously.
Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
AI: Partial - AI can automate bookkeeping, budgeting, scheduling and project-tracking tasks but cannot fully assume human responsibilities for stakeholder negotiation, accountability, and complex judgment.
Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
AI: Partial - AI can draft agendas, synthesize requirements and facilitate coordination, but cannot fully replace human leadership, real-time interpersonal negotiation, and nuanced creative alignment.
Present final layouts to clients for approval.
AI: Partial - AI can generate and even deliver polished presentations, but presenting to clients for final approval typically requires human relationship-building and handling of live questions and negotiations.
Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
AI: Partial - AI can produce digital markups and typography instructions and automate layout prep, but cannot perform physical mark-up/paste-up tasks when manual work is required.
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
AI: Partial - AI can review for technical, brand, and copy consistency and suggest edits, but final approval involves legal, ethical, and creative judgments that remain human responsibilities.
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
AI: Partial - AI can rapidly generate and iterate design solutions to work alongside creative directors, but it does not fully replicate human strategic judgment and collaborative decision-making.
Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
AI: Partial - AI can prepare discovery materials, analyze background information and draft proposals, but cannot fully conduct nuanced, trust-based client consultations and manage relational dynamics.
Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.
AI: Partial - Negotiation involves interpersonal judgment, relationship management, and on-the-spot tradeoffs—AI can prepare proposals and suggestions but cannot fully replace human negotiators.
Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
AI: Partial - AI can monitor shoots remotely, analyze images, and flag issues, but cannot physically attend or perform hands-on adjustments and real-time coordination on site.
Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
AI: Partial - Hiring, training, and directing staff require human judgment, cultural-fit assessment, and leadership skills—AI can assist with screening and training but not fully replace managers.