Skills Framework for Design
Welcome to the Skills Framework for Design (SFwD), now refreshed in its 2nd edition.
The updated national-level toolkit of design skills and job roles offers a leading perspective on the present and future market trends for the design profession. SFwD 2.0 is developed by the DesignSingapore Council and supported by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Technical Guidebook
The SFwD Technical Guidebook serves as a national-level reference outlining 28 design job roles, 48 existing Technical Skills and Competencies (TSCs), and 6 new TSCs. The updated 2nd edition reflects the evolving industry expectations for design job roles and skill sets.
Download Download
Career Map
Design careers today cater to a wide spectrum of opportunities for professionals across various disciplines.
Within the SFwD, the Career Map encompasses four career tracks: Business & Management, Design, Innovation & Insight, and Technology. The team structure is industry-agnostic and is adaptable across industries, with job roles complementing each other functionally. Experienced practitioners can anticipate upward mobility and lateral movement across different tracks.
In larger design teams, such as those found in Multi-National Corporations, designers often specialise in highly specific roles within a particular track. Conversely, in smaller enterprises like Small & Medium Enterprises, individual designers commonly wear multiple hats, fulfilling several functional roles. For example, a Design Researcher may concurrently perform the responsibilities of a Service Designer/Experience Designer and the Strategist/Business Designer.
The professional parameters of design practice are becoming increasingly fluid. The Career Map illustrates the interconnectedness between SFwD job roles and roles from other Skills Frameworks, such as the Design Engineer (from SFw-ES*) and the Software Developer (from SFw-ICT**).
* Skills Framework for Engineering Services
** Skills Framework for Infocomm Technology
For Employers & Talent Managers
If you are an Employer or a Talent Manager seeking to empower your design team, the SFwD offers a dynamic toolkit that serves as:
If you are an Employer or a Talent Manager seeking to empower your design team, the SFwD offers a dynamic toolkit that serves as:
A learning tool to explore the diverse skill sets and specialised expertise available among today’s design practitioners
An operational framework to strategically guide your organisation’s recruitment and training practices to cultivate a world-class design team
A communication tool to effectively articulate the value proposition of designers and design as a skill set to advance your organisation’s business and strategic goals
For Educators & Training Providers
If you are an Educator or a Training Provider shaping the next generation of design talent, you can leverage the SFwD as:
If you are an Educator or a Training Provider shaping the next generation of design talent, you can leverage the SFwD as:
A learning tool to understand the design roles in demand and specific skill sets expected of design practitioners today
An operational framework to strategically map out your educational curricula and learning outcomes, integrating innovative teaching methodologies to foster mastery of skills for the design Technical Skills and Competencies (TSCs)
A communication tool to articulate the transformative impact of design education in aligning with your school’s strategic vision and programme planning
For Design Professionals & Students
If you are a Design Professional or a Tertiary-level student, dive into the SFwD which serves as:
If you are a Design Professional or a Tertiary-level student, dive into the SFwD which serves as:
A learning tool to unlock insights into the design job roles and skill sets expected of design professionals today
A self-development framework to plan and navigate your upskilling or reskilling journey towards attainment of the design Technical Skills and Competencies (TSCs), and to chart your areas of specialty within possible career pathways
A career navigation tool to explore job opportunities that align with your professional strengths, passion, experience, and remuneration expectations
