Design : the continuous construction of competences

This article concerns high education curricula and training of designers. The key question considered by design teachers and explored in this article is: How can we supply designers with useful and essential skills through training that will allow them to effectively respond to the needs of business environment? To answer this question we present the results of a research designed to focus on market and business needs of design competences, and expectations about designers' performances. We intend to provide further information and discuss the curricula in design higher education. Finally we present a model that allows higher education institutions to design new and innovative higher education curricula in design, able to fulfill company's requirements.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT