AIGA Designer Competencies

AIGA 2015 1 Ability to create and develop visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to solve communication problems including identifying the problem, researching, analysis, solution generating, prototyping, user testing and outcome evaluation
AIGA 2015 1 Broad understanding of issues related to the cognitive, social, cultural, technological and economic contexts for design
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to respond to audience contexts recognizing physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors that shape design decisions
AIGA 2015 1 Understanding of and ability to utilize tools and technology
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to be flexible, nimble and dynamic in practice
AIGA 2015 1 Management and communication skills necessary to function productively in large interdisciplinary teams and “flat” organizational structures
AIGA 2015 1 Understanding of how systems behave and aspects that contribute to sustainable products, strategies and practices
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to construct verbal arguments for solutions that address diverse users/audiences; lifespan issues; and business/organizational operations
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to work in a global environment with understanding of cultural preservation
AIGA 2015 1 Ability to collaborate productively in large interdisciplinary teams
AIGA 2015 1 Understanding of ethics in practice
AIGA 2015 1 Understanding of nested items including cause and effect; ability to develop project evaluation criteria that account for audience and context

Source: http://www.aiga.org/designer-of-2015-competencies