There are plenty of areas where a talented
designer will find work for a while yet - packaging, advertising, local authorities, publishing, art courses, logos, illustration to name a few.
I agree. What will fall foul of
the kids with Canva are those jobs that were never career builders anyway; flyers for the one-man pizza delivery parlours; local garage business cards, etc. Those were good to cut your teeth on for learning as a student, but typically they were from clients who wanted the work done for £25 anyway (then again, as a student, £25 was a king’s ransom). Well, now they can have it for that or less, and executed with less skill than a student would ever do. They can even do it themselves. It is not a great loss to the industry – though it probably is to their businesses. Serious clients (I hope) will always need serious designers. Ultimately, it is not about flyers and local business cards, it is about strategy and understanding how to talk to the right people in the right way, via the work you produce.
I spend most of my time designing books and playing with type and although one day I can see a time when AI will put a book together, mechanically and practically, just as well and as experienced book designer, I am not sure if AI will get there with interpretation and tone of voice. Who knows? If it does hopefully it'll be after I’m long gone!
I am still fairly optimistic about the industry, although at the lower end, things can make the whole industry appear bleak. These things have a habit of coming full circle. Remember the days when serious corporates produced their collateral using DTP and a handy secretary. Didn’t work. They soon realised it. Now, no serious corporate body would dream of it.
Websites are another example. Initially, it needed a specialist to put one together. Now there are so many DIY sites out there, yet work seems to be growing for UI and UX designers – I do some, but it’s not my thing. I still like type and ink on paper and the smell of a book when you first open it.
Anyway,
@emrenn22, for me, the only way, as Wardy says, is get as much knowledge via a good education as you can in many areas as you can. Find which area of design you like best and pursue it. Knowledge and ability are what will make you employable in the end. You have to be tiers above the
kids with Canva.
It appears that you have the financial leeway to be able to pursue this. The question is not, should you or shouldn't you? It is, will you regret it if you don’t ever try.
Of course, you’ll need to be realistic about your options and possibilities. Top studios are full of 20-odd year olds with the bright ideas, plastic brains, very little cynicism and endless possibilities. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a career though. It’ll be difficult, but then again, has that ever been different? Everything worth having always is.
Also, a Wardy says, use this place. Post work, get critiques. They are invaluable. You have to develop a thick skin to not take them personally. You will sometimes get brutally honest critiques, but they are always intended to help you grow, not knock you down.
Good luck.
