Ability to create and develop visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful design.

Ability to solve communication problems including identifying the problem, researching, analysis, solution generating, prototyping, user testing and outcome evaluation.

Broad understanding of issues related to the cognitive, social, cultural, technological and economic contexts for design

Ability to respond to audience contexts recognizing physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors that shape design decisions

Understanding of and ability to utilize tools and technology

Ability to be flexible, nimble and dynamic in practice

Management and communication skills necessary to function productively in large interdisciplinary teams and “flat” organizational structures

Understanding of how systems behave and aspects that contribute to sustainable products, strategies and practices

Ability to construct verbal arguments for solutions that address diverse users/audiences; lifespan issues; and business/organizational operations

Ability to work in a global environment with understanding of cultural preservation

Ability to collaborate productively in large interdisciplinary teams

Understanding of ethics in practice

Understanding of nested items including cause and effect; ability to develop project evaluation criteria that account for audience and context