Needs analysis of field job-oriented design competencies

Background The role of design changes as rapid technological innovations occur. Thus the fieldjob abilities for designers should be analyzed and established to address such innovations. As the concept of "competency" has been developed to assess personal job abilities, this study tried to establish a field-job oriented design competency model and analyze the priority of each competency. Methods A prototype of a competency model composed of design categories and processes was designed by referring to the existing studies. Following prototype validation by experts interviews, the final competency model was proposed and surveyed in the design industry. Finally, prioritized competencies were derived as a result of the needs analysis by the Borich needs assessment and locus for a focus model. Results The competencies of "user research", "CMF (color/material/finish)", "design marketing", "design patent", "strategy concept design", "design management" have priority over others, followed by the competencies of "3D printing", "IoT design", and "data-visualization" were the next. Conclusions Invisible creative competencies such as "research", "planning", "strategy", "ideation", and competencies for design business such as "patent management", "marketing", "design management" are required. Competencies for emerging technology-driven competencies are needed as well. In order to cultivate competent designers these demands of competencies from the industry should be reflected in design education.