What Is Driving the Downturn
- Reduced project pipelines in large corporates, especially in retail, banking and insurance
- Cost cutting across tech firms like Atlassian and Canva who have slowed internal hiring
- Increased offshore design options creating price pressure in local markets
- AI tools replacing parts of the early design process, reducing demand for junior and mid level roles
Hiring managers are now seeking only top percentile talent for fewer available roles.
Portfolios must be elite. Experience must be proven.
What This Means for Designers
The Australian design market is still active, but it is no longer booming.
Competition is intense. Fewer briefs reach market.
Designers need to focus on building standout portfolios, showing commercial impact, and developing cross functional skills that go beyond pure design.
Those who can link their work directly to product growth and business outcomes will remain in demand.
MAP’s View
At MAP Talent we have seen design briefs fall by more than 60 percent in the past year.
We continue to represent the best design talent in the country, but the reality is clear
This market is now one of the most competitive in Australia
We are helping our design community sharpen their positioning, stay visible and be ready to move fast when opportunities land.
The design market is not gone.
It has just changed.
