We recently asked: If you could invest in one skill to future-proof your career, what would it be? The results were revealing:

• AI + emerging tech skills: 57% of respondents said mastering tools like AI and other emerging technologies is their top priority.
• Strategy + client management: 21% highlighted the importance of guiding clients and aligning creative work with business goals.
• Storytelling + content: 18% focused on the power of narrative and emotional connection in creative work.
• Other: 4% mentioned skills like resilience, leadership, or adaptability.

While AI leads the way, the poll shows that strategy, storytelling, and soft skills remain essential. Together, they form the foundation for a resilient, future-proof creative career in Australia’s competitive landscape.

Why AI and Emerging Tech Are Top of Mind

With 57% of creatives prioritising AI and emerging tech, it’s clear that staying up-to-date with new tools is a priority. AI is already transforming how work is ideated, produced, and delivered across design, marketing, motion graphics, and digital content. But technology alone isn’t enough, the key is knowing how to use it effectively to amplify your creativity and productivity.

Practical actions for creatives:

• Experiment with one tool at a time: Whether it’s ChatGPT for drafting content, Midjourney for visuals, or automation tools like Zapier for repetitive tasks, integrate it into your daily workflow. Focus on creating real outputs, not just playing with features.
• Measure your impact: Track metrics like time saved, concepts generated, or campaigns improved. This will help you demonstrate real value to clients or employers.
• Document your work: Showcase how AI enhanced your creative process in your portfolio or case studies. Concrete examples make you stand out.
  

Strategy and Client Management Still Matter

21% of respondents highlighted strategy and client management. Understanding the bigger picture, why a project exists, who it serves, and how it delivers business outcomes, ensures your creativity translates into real results. Clients increasingly value creative partners who can not only execute but also guide and advise.

Action tips:

• Participate in client meetings: Ask to sit in on kick-offs, check-ins, or project wrap-ups to understand client priorities.
• Translate creative ideas into business outcomes: When presenting work, highlight how your approach meets objectives like engagement, ROI, or brand awareness.
• Study industry case studies: Examine successful campaigns and projects, noting how strategy informed every decision.
  

Storytelling and Content: The Human Edge

Storytelling and content creation remain vital, selected by 18% of respondents. While AI can generate drafts or visuals, it can’t yet replicate the human touch that connects ideas emotionally and memorably with audiences. The most successful creatives are those who pair technical skill with narrative thinking.

Ways to strengthen your storytelling:

• Turn your portfolio into a story: Highlight challenges, your creative process, and the results. Make it about how your work solved a problem, not just what you created.
• Experiment across mediums: Designers can try writing copy, writers can explore motion graphics, and videographers can experiment with short-form social content. Cross-disciplinary storytelling keeps your skills versatile and relevant.
• Show impact: Whenever possible, include measurable outcomes: engagement metrics, client feedback, or audience responses.
  

The “Other” Skills That Make a Difference

The 4% of respondents who selected “other” focused on skills like resilience, adaptability, and leadership. These soft skills are often overlooked but are crucial for navigating a fast-changing industry. Being able to adjust to new tools, workflows, and client demands is what keeps creatives relevant long-term.

Action steps:

• Build a supportive network: Connect with peers, mentors, or accountability groups for feedback, collaboration, and professional guidance.
• Practice adaptability: Take on projects outside your comfort zone or explore new creative approaches to stretch your skill set.
• Invest in leadership skills: Even freelancers benefit from thinking about project management, collaboration, and how to communicate ideas effectively with teams and clients.
  

Putting It All Together: A Blend for the Future

The poll shows there’s no single skill that guarantees a future-proof career. The creatives who thrive in 2025 and beyond will combine:

• Tech fluency to leverage AI and emerging tools for efficiency and innovation
• Strategy to understand client needs and deliver measurable results
• Storytelling to engage and inspire audiences
• Soft skills like resilience, collaboration, and adaptability to navigate change

Balancing all these areas ensures you’re not just keeping up with trends, you’re setting yourself apart.

How Artisan Can Help

This is where Artisan comes in. We connect Australia’s top creatives with opportunities that value this evolving mix of skills. We help freelancers and full-time professionals:

• Showcase their AI, strategy, and storytelling skills effectively in portfolios and applications
• Position themselves for roles that match their career goals and strengths
• Prepare for interviews, briefs, and client projects to maximise impact

By understanding the skills that matter and aligning them with the right opportunities, Artisan helps creatives not just survive, but thrive — building careers that are adaptable, resilient, and future-ready.