Australian investment in digital design tools surges 63%

Australian companies are increasingly investing in design, with a 63% rise in spending on digital design tools over the past five years, as revealed in two reports by Figma.

According to the "How Australia Builds By Design Report" and "Design: APAC's Growth Engine", Australia is leading the region in design investment and is becoming a central hub for designers. This growth in investment significantly outpaces the APAC average of 46%.

Figma's data, gathered from interviews with its extensive user base, showcases Australia's standout position both regionally and globally.

"Australia is undergoing a significant transformation in how businesses approach design," the reports state, noting the increased recognition of design's role in innovation and operations.

The surveys highlighted Australia's government sector, where design tool usage is over 4.5 times higher than the global average, pointing to a focused effort on digital transformation within public services. Similarly, the adoption rates in the finance sector are 30% higher than international benchmarks.

There is a notable trend towards cross-functional collaboration, with two-thirds of weekly design tool users being non-designers, such as marketers, product managers, and developers. This trend indicates that design thinking is increasingly being integrated across various business roles.

"While 64% of Australian respondents rate designer-developer collaboration as effective, 32% see room for improvement," the "Design: APAC's Growth Engine" survey detailed.

The report also points out that 38% of Australian businesses have adopted cloud-based design tools. It suggests that nearly two-thirds of companies using these tools gain a competitive edge through early adoption.

"54% of APAC businesses using cloud-based tools attribute increased sales and revenue to improved digital experiences, compared to only 29% among non-adopters," the survey found. Additionally, 41% of businesses using these tools report faster time-to-market, nearly double the 22% for non-adopters.

These figures underline Australia's growing leadership in utilising design tools and fostering collaborative environments to drive innovation and business growth in key sectors.

Figma announced its increased investment in Australia with plans to open its first office in the country in November. This development is part of Figma's broader strategy to strengthen its engagement with the local community and partners, such as Atlassian and Telstra, and to support Australian businesses in enhancing their innovation through design.

The "Design: APAC's Growth Engine" survey drew insights from 700 businesses across several countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. The "How Australia Builds By Design" report is based on data from Figma's user base within the APAC region.