Two-thirds of Black, Asian and minority ethnic students struggle to find inspirational creative role models.
Research commissioned by software brand Adobe surveyed 3,000 students and early career creative professionals, finding BAME students were most likely to be deterred from making creative career choices.
52% said their parents advised against creative careers and 40% of BAME people employed in the creative industry said they'd been discouraged by others several times.
Rapper Little Simz said the findings show ethnic minorty groups need better reputation "to show the next generation that they can make it".
Adobe's Senior Director of Marketing Simon Morris added: "We risk missing out on incredible talent if – as parents, role models, careers advisors, teachers and industry – we don’t equip our young people with knowledge of all the opportunities available to them."