With the rapid growth of the digital world, the value of good design has become more crucial than ever. Whether you have a portfolio full of great design ideas or want to design a celebrity mansion someday, landing one of the highest paying design jobs is what you need to do.
Now, you cannot just jump on any field you see. Design is a broad term, and there are numerous branches all over the market. To help you find your niche, we will tell you all about the highest paying jobs in design. From user experience designers to graphic designers and beyond, we'll look at what these design jobs entail, what skills and qualifications they require, and what kind of salaries they can promise.
15 Highest Paying Design Jobs You Can't Miss
The world of a designer is full of creativity, ideas, and concepts. If you are curious and can get lost in unique ideas or challenge assumptions, getting one of the highest paying design jobs may be a cakewalk for you. Moreover, it is not only about your paycheck, but you can also embrace your passion for creating compelling graphics or intuitive interfaces. We understand how intimidating it can be to find a path that will channel your creativity and take you to the next level. So, go ahead and chase those designer dreams because, with these highest paying design jobs, the sky's the limit (and so is your paycheck)!
1. Product Designer
Salary Range: £53,412 - £96,883
Technical Skills: Computer Coding (C++, CSS, JavaScript), UI/UX Design, Visual Design (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or Figma)
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in industrial design, spatial design, 3D design, product development or a relevant field
Job Responsibilities: A product designer surveys a problem and creates various concepts of viable solutions.
Future Growth: Divided into two categories, digital product designers can see 16% growth, and industrial product designers can expect 2% growth in the next ten years.
Being one of the highest paying design jobs, a product designer is an expert at mixing art and science. Though the Product Designer salary is lucrative enough to push you forward, you can enhance your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. Plus, you can further shape your career as an Advertising Art Director, Furniture Conservator, Procurement Manager, etc and land one of the highest paying design jobs in the upcoming years.
2. User Experience (UX) Designer
Salary Range: £47,007 - £60,198
Technical Skills: Prototyping, Wireframing, User Flows, Mockup, and Visual Design and Design Software
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in product design, digital media and web design, digital marketing, or graphic design
Job Responsibilities: UX Designers create user experience strategies for the products and services
Future Growth: The demand for UX Designers is expected to grow with the emergence of AR, VR, and Generative AI in future.
Suppose you are looking for the highest paying design jobs and possess the skills to illustrate design ideas using storyboards, process flows, or sitemaps. In that case, UX designing might be your calling. The increasing UX Designer salary will encourage you to pursue the role of a Lead UX Designer in finance or education. Moreover, the role of a UI/UX Designer is one of the top in-demand jobs in the UK, so get ready to slay one of the highest paying design jobs!
3. User Interface (UI) Designer
Salary Range: £37,500 - £53,673
Technical Skills: Prototyping and Wireframing, User Research, Visual Design, Branding and Colour Theory
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in computer science, web design, digital design, or media technology
Job Responsibilities: UI Designers work on the design of a website, app, or device to ensure seamless navigation
Future Growth: UI designing jobs are expected to grow by 3% every year, owing to the rapid development of emerging technologies.
User Interface (UI) Designer salary falls under one of the highest paying design jobs, and you will get to be creative and work with cutting-edge technology. You can sharpen your professional and soft skills to become integral in creating visually appealing & user-friendly layouts for web pages. When you look for the highest paid design jobs, this job will fulfil your needs as a professional.
4. Front-End Web Developer
Salary Range: £45,000 - £57,206
Technical Skills: HTML & CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in software engineering, web development, or a related field
Job Responsibilities: A Front-End Developer's job is to determine the structure & design and ensure the visual elements of a web application.
Future Growth: The future of Front-End Developers will involve the integration of AI and machine learning, with 8% growth in the next decade.
Front-end web development will remain one of the highest paying design jobs in 2024, so get ready to collaborate with back-end developers, project managers, and product managers. From gaining advanced knowledge of React to optimising web applications, the scope is endless. The Front-End Developer salary is rewarding, and thus, we believe it deserves to be on the list of the highest paid jobs in design.
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5. Motion Graphics Designer
Salary Range: £32,000 - £72,000
Technical Skills: Animation, 3D Design Skills, Typography, Understanding of Colour Theory.
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in graphic design, illustration, art and design, and communication design
Job Responsibilities: A Motion Graphics Designer conceptualises and creates moving content for television, film, and the internet by incorporating design elements.
Future Growth: Since 3D Modelling has become essential for the film industry, you will see 16% growth by 2030.
Are you ready to bring your creative visions to life and enter the world of the highest paying design jobs? Initially, a Motion Graphic Designer's salary can be low. But you can become a Senior Designer to oversee design projects and ensure high-quality delivery with at least five years of experience. Plus, with motion graphics being one of the highest paying design jobs, you can turn your passion into profit.
6. Design Manager
Salary Range: £52,000 - £75,000
Technical Skills: Sketch, UI/UX, AutoCAD & CAD, design process & development, project management
Qualifications: A postgraduate degree in visual arts program and seven years of relevant experience
Job Responsibilities: A Design Manager motivates internal and external design teams and ensures on-time delivery of structural drawings and designs.
Future Growth: Because strategic design and management are core to any business, design management is in high demand in the future.
A career as a Design Manager means grabbing one of the highest paying design jobs to find your way to become a Principal Designer or Build Manager. This field anticipates a growing demand for skilled leaders who can bring their design teams together and hit the bullseye with their creative vision.Design management is one of the 15 highest paying design jobs of 2024, so pack your bags to explore your opportunities in various industries - from construction to manufacturing.
7. Art Director
Salary Range: £25,000 - £80,000
Technical Skills: Art Direction, Adobe Illustrator & Creative Suite, Web Design, Graphic Design, Sketch
Qualifications: A master's degree in fine arts or similar and at least five years of experience working as a Digital Marketer or Graphic Designer
Job Responsibilities: An Art Director develops conceptual creativity and delivers a captivating visual message to the user.
Future Growth: By 2032, Art Directors can see a 6% growth in their job outlook.
From tackling the next big campaigns to finding the visual style for a brand, the career of an art director rightfully makes it to the highest paying design jobs. As a visionary, you will oversee a project's brand message (for an ad agency, publishing house or film production), ensuring that every aspect is on-brand and aesthetically pleasing.The role of an Art Director is not only one of the highest paying design jobs but also a dream role for aspiring creative heads.
8. Digital Designer
Salary Range: £33,000-£47,000
Technical Skills: Layout Design, Digital Typography, Colour Theory, Design Thinking & Principles, and Navigation
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in computer graphics, animation, digital video production, and fine arts
Job Responsibilities: A Digital Designer creates assets for multimedia and graphics projects and develops cartoon films & video games.
Future Growth: The job growth is projected to grow 16% from last year, and the rate is faster than the average of other occupations.
If you wish to turn your passion for technology and creativity into a career, becoming a Digital Designer is one way to grab one of the highest paying design jobs in 2024. You can bring ideas to life through graphics, animations, and any other multimedia assets. A digital designer's role is integral to many areas, such as marketing & advertising, websites, books & magazines, 3D designs, etc; hence, it is considered one of the highest-paying design jobs.
9. Game Designer
Salary Range: £32,000-£50,000
Technical Skills: Scripting languages (Python, Unreal Script, LUA, C#), game engine (Unity 3D, Unreal Engine), programming languages (C++), art software
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in computer science, game design, software engineering, or computer graphics
Job Responsibilities: A Game Designer creates systems, rules, and gameplay and conceptualises the game mechanics.
Future Growth: Because of the growth of AR/VR, game design will take a new hybrid shape and remain in popular demand.
Game designing is one of the highest paying design jobs and is the perfect fit for anyone with a knack for developing storyline and characters and their backstories. The game designer's salary has the potential to become more competitive with Extended Reality games. Plus, dynamic growth is one of the biggest benefits, making this role to the list of the highest paying design jobs.
10. Interior Designer
Salary Range: £29,000-£35,000
Technical Skills: AutoCAD, 3D Interior Design Modelling, and Digital Imaging
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in interior design, spatial design, and interior architecture
Job Responsibilities: An Interior Designer creates safe and functional spaces for commercial or residential spaces.
Future Growth: Interior Designers can expect 20%-35% growth and will remain in demand in the next decade.
For anyone with strong artistic ability and imagination, interior designing is one of the highest paying design jobs in 2024. You can use design software to decorate an area (from furniture to lighting) and advance your knowledge of leadership and management.The starting Interior Design salary can be low. Still, with substantial experience, you can enter the race for the highest paying design jobs as a Senior Interior Design and even Interior Design Director.
11. 3D Designer
Salary Range: £30,000-£48,000
Technical Skills: CAD, AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Modelling
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in computer-aided design, manufacturing, or industrial design
Job Responsibilities: A 3D Designer's role is to develop 3D concepts for new products and improve old designs.
Future Growth: 3D Modelling is expected to be in demand with the use of Extended Reality and machine learning.
3D Modelling is going through a real power-up phase with AI breakthroughs; the scope of bagging one of these highest paying design jobs is endless. Whether you're a fan of creating realistic characters or fantastical worlds, as a 3D Designer, you'll have the opportunity to bring your wildest designs to life. You can also gain knowledge of UV layout using UDIM workflow and make your way to one of the highest paying design jobs in 2024.
12. Landscape Designer
Salary Range: £30,000 - £86,000
Technical Skills: Sketch & SketchUp, AutoCAD, Site Analysis, GIS, Design Concepts
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture
Job Responsibilities: A Landscape Designer's role is to plan and design residential gardens or public parks, keeping aesthetic elements on point.
Future Growth: Landscape Designers are likely to see steady growth in the next decade.
You might not have guessed it, but the role of a Landscape Designer deserves to be one of the highest paying design jobs. As a designer, you'll bring outdoor spaces to life by incorporating elements of nature with design principles to create beautiful and functional landscapes. With a career that is on the list of the highest paying design jobs, you can expect a blooming financial future while indulging in your passion for design and nature.
13. Architectural Designer
Salary Range: £44,000 - £59,000
Technical Skills: CAD, Design, Architectural Rendering, Building Codes
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in architecture
Job Responsibilities: An Architectural Designer builds unique structures, conceptualises building plans, and modifies designs
Future Growth: With the increasing urbanisation, architectural designers will remain in demand.
Are you thinking of studying at one of the best architecture universities in the UK? Though Architectural Designers plan and design layouts of buildings, their career makes it one of the highest paying design jobs. Take a look at this guide that talks about the best architecture universities in the UK and grab the chance to study there. If you navigate your way through Design, Bidding, and Construction Administration, you can land one of the highest paying design jobs in 2024.
14. Concept Artist
Salary Range: £44,000 - £59,000
Technical Skills: Drawing Tools, Corel Painter, CAD, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign & Acrobat, Mudbox, and Zbrush
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in concept design
Job Responsibilities: A Concept Artist's role is to develop visual concepts (from characters to environments) from a script or creative brief.
Future Growth: The job outlook for a Concept Artist is to expect to grow 5% in the next five years.
If you love doing illustrations, you may be a contender for one of the highest paying design jobs on earth. For anyone with a penchant for storytelling and bringing their creative vision to life, the Concept Artist salary is rewarding enough. So, get ready to unleash your inner creativity and find your path to a flourishing financial future. With years of experience working in architecture, advertising, animation, and video games, you'll know why it's one of the highest paying design jobs.
15. Design Technologist
Salary Range: £42,000 - £62,000
Technical Skills: Building Tools (webpack, gulp), JavaScript Framework, HTML, CSS, and animations
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in computer science, design, and HCI
Job Responsibilities: A Design Technologist's role is to manage front-end programming and maintain the integrity of a product code.
Future Growth: Design Technologists' job outlook is in demand and expected to grow by 10% in the next decade.
Design Technologists are the jack-of-all-trades in the design world, blending technical skills with creative vision. In 2024, Design Technologists will be in high demand and are among the highest paying design jobs.
If you think you have the creative ability to bridge the gap between designers and developers, the design technologist's salary will keep you safe. With experience, you can become a Senior Creative Director and break into the world of the highest paying design jobs. If you wish to work from home, you can take a look at some of the best online jobs in the UK! After going through these highest paying design jobs, you must be wondering which career path would suit you best. During your hunt for the best university and course, you will also be in search of the most comfortable student accommodation. Check out the best and most affordable student accommodation in the UK. So, best wishes to landing one of the highest paying design jobs in the world!
