Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley:

I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen [women], in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished.

Jane Austen goes on to describe, in Pride and Prejudice, what makes an accomplished woman:

A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.

What makes an accomplished designer? What characteristics should the modern, truly accomplished designer possess?

To be considered accomplished, the modern designer must have a thorough knowledge of:

• Design fundamentals, such as Color, Proportion, Harmony, Balance, Hierarchy, and Rhythm, as well as design/art history
• Writing, both informal and formal, including spelling and grammar
• Speaking and presenting, both informal and formal
• Typography
• Web technologies, HTML, CSS, Javascript
• Print design, including pre-press, printing techniques, materials
• Film/motion design, plus hardware and software
• Photography, plus hardware and software
• Psychology, usability, interaction design, user-centered design
• Modern practices, including improving one’s mind on a wide variety of blogs, journals, conferences, groups and forums
• The Philosophical Method, in which she questions her own opinions and biases
• The Woo, an impeccable ability to relate to people, clients, and partners
• The Ego, or her own skills, abilities, and faults

Certainly we can also apply Austen’s “something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions.”   There’s something about a great designer that demands respect by the way they carry themselves.

Then again, in Austen’s novel, Elizabeth responds to the definition of an accomplished woman with,

I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.

Do they exist?  Are you accomplished?

Do you know any accomplished designers?   Who?