The AIGA’s report of 2021 provides figures on diversity in the design industry (see image below).
The report’s section titled ‘Creative Communities Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ states that although “If broadly defined, the Design community is, in many ways, very diverse” (AIGA, 2021 : 65) and the “LGBTQIA+ community is more represented in the profession as compared to the overall population”, however “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) continue to present dilemmas and need to be more clearly defined and broadly discussed to give voice to all communities.” (AIGA, 2021 : 65). That “Asian Americans in the U.S. (not Design specific either) have been increasingly victims of racism and discrimination since the beginning of the pandemic.” (AIGA, 2021 : 65) and “For Black designers […] primary challenges were: lack of role models; lack of mentors; no awareness; and no career support.”
References
AIGA. (2021) Design POV: An In-Depth Look at the Design Industry Now. New York: American Institute of Graphic Arts. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.aiga.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/2021_DesignPOV_FinalReport_01302023.pdf (Accessed 22 January 2024).