Abstract

The speed of technological advances, communication, and the current market constantly call into question the role of designers in society. The situation raises new questions about the educational background of design students in the twenty-first century as education is currently changing its focus towards acquiring information by learning how to use it competently. The competence-based training and evaluation model—well-consolidated in the field of education—is becoming increasingly present in the design profession, considered a differentiating factor among professionals. In this context, creativity is gaining strength as a key factor in employability and managing the uncertain future for designers. This article focuses on developing the theoretical framework of creative competencies, a step which must come prior to the development of a Dictionary of Creative Competencies. This dictionary shall be kept up to date through the data collected with an online platform for competence analysis. The article finishes with the contributions that this tool can contribute towards blurring the educational boundary between design education and the profession.