The Visual Economy: How Design Drives Growth in the AI Era

Leading companies are already using visual-first communication to unlock speed, clarity, and impact. Are you?

Organizations spend $143 billion annually on visual content, but most are still working within outdated, text-first workflows that stall progress and dilute impact. In “The State of Visual Communication,” a new joint study from The Harris Poll and Canva, our team explored the business cost of poor visual communication and the neuroscience behind what makes design effective.

The findings reveal a clear mandate for business leaders: visual fluency is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage.

Using brain scan technology and a global quantitative survey of over 2,400 professionals, our research showed that high-quality visuals encode in memory 74% faster and spark emotional intensity up to 26% higher than dull alternatives. Visual-first communication isn’t just clearer; it’s faster, more memorable, and more impactful.

Yet, only a fraction of companies today are truly design-led:

• 84% of leaders say poor visual communication causes confusion and delays.
• 88% believe visual fluency is now essential for leadership roles.
• Design-led companies report stronger brand cohesion, faster decision-making, and clearer communication.

One of the biggest missed opportunities? Gen Z. This rising generation is ready to lead with design:

• 90% say they do their best work visually
• 89% say visual skills make them more valuable as AI reshapes their roles
• 87% believe the future of creativity involves humans and AI working together
• 60% say a top 2025 career priority is staying ahead by effectively using AI tools

Creative teams are juggling an average of 8 tools just to execute visual work. Most are using unapproved workarounds, cutting corners, or bypassing IT, creating risk and inefficiency.

For forward-looking companies, visual fluency is a skill set and a signal to a culture shift. It unlocks speed, clarity, and engagement in an AI-powered economy.