What you got? I got the skills to pay the bills
I am often asked, “What are the best skills for a designer?”
I fucked around and then I lost my tooth
I’m telling everybody it’s the goddamn truth
Early in my career, I spent a lot of my time learning and being proficient in design tools. But I realized that soft skills, or people skills, are the skills worth mastering. It is said that success in most areas of life is based 10% on technical skills and 90% on people skills. And in my experience, these figures ring absolutely true!
As someone who believes that interpersonal skills are a far better investment than mastering any tools, I have created a Top 10 List of the Best Makings for a Designer:
- Storytelling
- Communication
- Flexibility
- Create and maintain relationships
- Listening
- Be humble/egoless
- Be confident
- Ability to read the room
- Be a great presenter
- Use humor
Interpersonal skills are transferrable. These skills are important for any role, not just a designer.
I got skills, y’all, to pay the bills
I got skills, ya’ll
I got a, I got a, dollar, dollar bills, ya’ll
Lyrics from The Skills to Pay the Bills by the Beastie Boys
