Developing a sustainable career for designers by using the salary-skills relationship for Chinese designers

The value of designers is determined by market-based compensation which reflects the status of the design industry, the career paths of designers, reform directions in design education and the deconstruction of design skills. This article aims to elucidate designers' requirements, responsibilities and compensation by scrutinizing online job advertisements. Previous studies have focused on macro design aspects such as propaganda and procedural methods, neglecting individual designers' compensation and treatment. This study used Python technology to search for online job and analyzed 1,108 good job postings using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Additionally, interviews were conducted to investigate the skill requirements of company designers. The findings revealed vital skill points that contribute to increased salaries for designers. High-paid designers possess core skills in managing design strategies and business processes. Middle-paid designers demonstrate abilities in executing design projects and working in teams. Low-paid designers perform better and have better software capabilities. The research’s findings guide students in choosing their majors and research options and identify core skills for designers already in the workforce. Furthermore, this study offers objective data for enterprise talent acquisition and development strategies.