How do you evaluate designer skills when working together?

1 Communication skills

One of the most important skills for any designer is communication. Communication skills include how well you can articulate your ideas, listen to others, give and receive feedback, and adapt to different situations. When working with other designers, you need to communicate clearly and respectfully, and avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or confusion. You can evaluate communication skills by observing how someone presents their work, responds to questions, handles criticism, and interacts with other team members.

2 Problem-solving skills

Another key skill for designers is problem-solving. Problem-solving skills include how well you can define, analyze, and solve design challenges, using various methods and tools. When working with other designers, you need to problem-solve creatively and collaboratively, and avoid jumping to conclusions, ignoring constraints, or repeating mistakes. You can evaluate problem-solving skills by observing how someone approaches a design problem, conducts research, generates ideas, tests solutions, and iterates on feedback.

3 Technical skills

Technical skills are the specific skills that enable you to execute your design solutions, using various software and platforms. Technical skills vary depending on the type and scope of your design project, but they usually include some basic knowledge of design principles, typography, color, layout, and user interface. When working with other designers, you need to have technical skills that match the project requirements, and avoid gaps, errors, or inconsistencies in your design output. You can evaluate technical skills by observing how someone uses design tools, follows best practices, applies design standards, and delivers quality work.

4 Creative skills

Creative skills are the skills that enable you to come up with original and innovative design solutions, using your imagination and inspiration. Creative skills are not only about having a good eye or a unique style, but also about being curious, open-minded, and experimental. When working with other designers, you need to have creative skills that complement and enhance each other, and avoid copying, competing, or limiting each other. You can evaluate creative skills by observing how someone expresses their vision, explores different possibilities, challenges assumptions, and surprises you.

5 Teamwork skills

Teamwork skills are the skills that enable you to work effectively and efficiently with other designers, as well as other stakeholders, such as clients, users, developers, or managers. Teamwork skills include how well you can cooperate, coordinate, and compromise with others, while respecting their roles, responsibilities, and opinions. When working with other designers, you need to have teamwork skills that foster trust, harmony, and synergy, and avoid conflicts, delays, or misunderstandings. You can evaluate teamwork skills by observing how someone contributes to the team goals, shares information and resources, supports and appreciates others, and handles challenges.

6 Learning skills

Learning skills are the skills that enable you to grow and improve as a designer, by seeking feedback, learning new things, and reflecting on your experiences. Learning skills are essential for any designer, as the design field is constantly evolving and changing. When working with other designers, you need to have learning skills that show your willingness and ability to learn from others, and avoid being defensive, arrogant, or complacent. You can evaluate learning skills by observing how someone asks for and acts on feedback, shows curiosity and interest, admits and learns from mistakes, and sets goals and plans for improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?