If you don't have these skills, you won't go far.

The average design job posting reads like this:

      Our firm needs a designer that is:

          - Excellent graphic design and layout skills with attention to usability.
          - Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
          - Ability to manage projects.
          - Ability to work within tight time lines and within a team environment.
          - Solid knowledge of: HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, Flash, mySQL, PHP, CGI, and JavaScript.
          - Possess expert knowledge of Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Quark, and Illustrator.
          - Bachelor’s degree required.
          - 3-5 years in a professional design environment.

Breaking that list of requirements down you need to have a full working knowledge of print design and layout, web design and development, 3D Graphics development, programming, a Bachelor's degree in something, and 3-5 years working in a professional environment.

Finding a designer with half those skills is a challenge; never mind ALL. Rather than be mediocre at everything it is important to have a solid foundation in one area enhanced by an understanding of the supporting roles.

For example: A web developer/programmer with an understanding that great design can require compromise (like using tables in a primarily CSS designed site).

However, it is most important to be able to transfer your skills to different areas and to have the capabilities of advancing and expanding your skills when necessary. If you only do what you already know you'll never grow. Learning can be a long and arduous process but it's worth it.

Design skills are all inter-related. Print design, web design, web development, programming—they all have similar roots and expanding your skills in one will enhance all of the others. So what are the skills every designer must have?

• Adaptability - the ability and maturity to adapt to new situations.
• Humility - don't ever believe you're an expert; there's always something to learn.
• Humor - not everything will turn out the way you expect, but you have to experience mistakes so you know what's right. Learning to laugh at these moments is key.
• Modesty - you'll often work with others; you aren't better than them, you just have a different set of skills and experiences.
• Honesty - be honest with yourself and those around you about your abilities, if you don't know something—ask.
• Courage - it's a scary world out there, don't be afraid to demand what you're worth.
• Designability - the ability to design, in some fashion, in some form. It's important to know how to design but without all of the skills listed above you won't get very far.