Knowledge Workers in the Design Industry

The introduction of Web 2.0 to the masses has allowed for a shift in the skills required to be successful employee. Practical based jobs such as those in agriculture or construction are being overlooked by those who's main asset is knowledge. These knowledge worker jobs are becoming increasingly popular, this can be seen in the increasing popularity of universities "The proportion of people aged 15–64 years who were enrolled in study for a qualification increased from 17% in 2001 to 19% in 2012."(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012).


A knowledge worker is an employee who's main skill is the knowledge that they have acquired throughout many years of study or experience in a certain field. An employee who has attained a lot of information will be a indispensable asset to any business. This is especially prevalent in the design industry, these jobs are requiring more and more technical knowledge. With the rise of computers and design software, the design jobs sector has been growing "The top-growing job is a design illustrator, which saw 19.7 percent growth in the quarter, followed closely by a Photoshop designer (up 19.4 percent). The third fastest-growing job was 3D rendering, up 17.3 percent." (Jean, 2013). The rise of the design jobs and increase of knowledge workers can be seen through the new economic paradigm where the focus is on knowledge and creativity (Flew, 2008) two qualities that employees in the design industry must possess to be successful.

(source: http://bevisible.co.za)

To become a knowledge worker in the design industry there a skills that are needed, skills such as being able to prioritize complex work, see the cause and effect of certain situations and being able to create or alternate a strategy. Not only does a future knowledge worker in the design industry need to have the above skills, they also need to know about the many programs and software used in the industry. Programs such as the ever present Photoshop Creative Suite, Indesign and a plethora of 3d design software.


Not only will a new employee into this industry need to know these skills, but they will also have to bring some creativity to the venture. To become successful they will need to bring new ideas and creativity into a thriving knowledge economy. Having creativity is as important as the knowledge you hold, "Joy Paul Guilford, who defined creativity as a form of intelligence to be distinguished from that measured by IQ" (Le Masson, Hatchuel & Weil, 234, 2011). Creativity is an important skill to have in the design industry, being able to think beyond the problem to find a solution is imperative to a successful design career. The ability to create that which is not currently being achieved in the industry is a skill highly sought after in potential employees and would set them apart from the rest.


While being creative, knowledge workers will also need to be able to conjure up ideas. This is why knowledge workers are referred to as idea producers. The ability to create ideas stems from having a high sense of creativity. In seeing this it is possible to say that the acquisition of creativity is a highly sought after commodity by design influenced business. This can be seen through the quote "...where the importance of creativity at work is undeniable" (Batey, 2011). Further examples of the importance of idea producing and creativity can be seen in the quote "creativity is essential in every people-based organisation" (Batey, 2011).


With the increasing popularity of the design sector it is becoming more important to be knowledgeable. Not only will technical skills be required but creativity also, as creativity can have a positive effect on the business and allow for the creation of ideas which can push the company to the next level. In a society where the focus has moved from a laboring force to a society where the focus is very much on the knowledge that employees know. This just further increases the idea of a knowledge economy, where knowledge, creativity and idea producing are very much the sought after commodity.
References:

Abs.gov.au (2013). 6227.0 - Education and Work, Australia, May 2012. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6227.0Main%20Features3May%202012?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=6227.0&issue=May%202012&num=&view= [Accessed: 13 Oct 2013].

Batey, M. (2011). Developing Creativity. Training Journal, pp. 64-69.

Flew, T. (2008). New Media an Introduction. 3rd ed. Oxford.

Jean, S. (2013). Where are the fastest-growing jobs online? design and 3D printing. [online] Retrieved from: http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/where-are-the-fastest-growing-jobs-online-design-and-3d-printing.html/ [Accessed: 13 Oct 2013].

Le Masson, P., Hatchuel, A. and Weil, B. (2011). The Interplay between Creativity Issues and Design Theories: A New Perspective for Design Management Studies?caim_613 217..237. Creativity and Innovation Management, 20 (4).