Think emojis and TikTok are just time-wasters? India’s Gen Z begs to differ.
A new report by Canva, in partnership with The Harris Poll and Neuro-Insight, reveals something widespread but not pervasive. It reveals that over 90% of young professionals in India believe visual communication skills are essential for their career growth.
Even more striking, 69% say companies need to adopt a “visual-first” approach if they want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing workplace.
But here’s the twist: most workplaces haven’t caught up. Science tells us that our brains process images much faster than long blocks of text. Yet only about one in five companies globally call themselves “design-led.”
This gap creates frustration, because 94% of Gen Z in India say they do their best work visually. Forcing them into endless email chains and text-heavy reports is like asking a painter to use only pencils; it gets the job done, but the spark is gone.
Visuals: Gen Z’s Career Superpower
India’s young professionals are leading the charge to make visuals a workplace superpower. Their instincts aren’t random. Humans are naturally drawn to images. One marketing expert even jokes that reaching Gen Z requires “five words and a big picture.” In other words, skip the memo and go straight to the chart.
The problem?
Only about 22% of organisations globally describe themselves as “design-led.” That leaves most workplaces clinging to old habits, while their youngest employees push for change. Without strong visual systems in place, communication slows, productivity dips, and creativity gets buried under approval loops and outdated workflows.
Brains Love Big, Bold Visuals
Gen Z’s preference for visuals isn’t just personal taste; it’s hardwired biology. Neuroscience reveals that our brains encode images more quickly and retain them longer than text. In fact, vibrant graphics don’t just help us remember; they make us feel more engaged.
It’s why a clever infographic sticks while a dry paragraph evaporates from memory.
Most professionals admit the same thing: visuals communicate ideas more effectively than words alone. The flip side? Dense slides packed with text send attention spans into free fall.
As one design leader bluntly puts it, the old “text-heavy approach no longer meets the needs of today’s teams.” A splash of colour and a clean chart aren’t cosmetic; they’re communication gold.
AI: Gen Z’s Creative Wingman, Not Foe
Gen Z also wants to supercharge visuals with AI. Nearly 78% of Indian professionals say their companies should encourage experimenting with AI in design workflows. They don’t see AI as a job thief but as a turbo-charged assistant, automating repetitive tasks so humans can focus on creativity.
And here’s the fun part: they’re not waiting for permission. Many admit to sneaking in AI or design tools not approved by their companies. It’s the modern version of secretly downloading apps to finish an assignment. For them, AI isn’t about replacing creativity; it’s about sharpening it.
Infographics Vs. Email Chains
Workplaces today are a mix of four generations, and each speaks a different language. Older colleagues are comfortable with emails and long reports. Gen Z, meanwhile, thrives on infographics, dashboards, and short, sharp visuals. When these two styles clash, inefficiency is the real winner.
In India’s offices, this generational gap is especially visible. Younger workers find long text draining, while older professionals sometimes view visuals as too casual. The irony? A single infographic could actually bridge that divide better than a week’s worth of emails. Companies that adopt visual-first workflows often find smoother collaboration across age groups.
Also Read: New Study Finds Gen Z To Be The Saddest Generation
Building A Visual-First Culture
So how can leaders adapt? The first step is to embrace visuals as a serious communication tool. Providing easy-to-use design apps, encouraging data storytelling, and welcoming AI experimentation can make workplaces both more productive and more attractive to young talent.
And remember: this isn’t about making everything look pretty. It’s about making information clear, accessible, and impactful. When companies move beyond walls of text and into dynamic visuals, they don’t just boost creativity; they reduce miscommunication, speed up decision-making, and build stronger engagement across teams.
Future-Proofing The Workspace
Gen Z isn’t asking for colourful slides just for fun. They’re signalling what the future of work will look like.
A majority say they’d choose to work for companies that embrace a visual-first culture. Leaders now have a chance to reimagine how teams connect, with fewer Word documents, more collaborative boards, interactive dashboards, and AI-enhanced design.
Ultimately, the message is simple: show, don’t tell. For businesses that want to future-proof themselves, pixels may be just as powerful as policies.
If the workplace of tomorrow looks more like a digital storyboard than a stack of reports, Gen Z will feel right at home. And honestly, wouldn’t you rather scroll through a smart infographic than slog through a 50-slide text dump?
For India’s Gen Z, visuals are not decoration, they’re direction. The evidence is clear: visuals make people remember more, feel more, and work better. The “visual-first” culture isn’t a passing trend; it’s a survival strategy in a world where attention spans are shorter and creativity is currency.
The companies that win will be those that embrace this shift: supporting AI, valuing design, and giving employees freedom to communicate beyond text. Because sometimes, the clearest message isn’t 1,000 words, it’s one great chart.
Images: Google Images
Sources: Economic Times, Mint, Moneycontrol
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: visual communication, gen z india, future of work, workplace trends, ai in design, canva report, design thinking, career skills, visual storytelling, productivity hacks, creative workplace, indian professionals
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used; these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly email us.
Other Recommendations:
Rich And Old Guilt-Trip Gen Z Into Slogging, But The Rebellion Is Here
