Hönnunargetu

Hönnunargetu is an Icelandic term that denotes design competence or design ability. It refers to the capacity to carry out design activities effectively, balancing creativity with method and practicality. The concept covers the ability to apply design thinking and design processes to identify problems, generate solutions, and produce outcomes that meet user needs and context.

Elements of hönnunargetu typically include knowledge of design principles and methods, proficiency with design tools and artefacts, and the ability to conduct user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and evaluation. It also encompasses communication and collaboration skills, the ability to work across disciplines, and ethical and sustainability considerations in decision-making.

In education and industry, hönnunargetu is often used to describe expected outcomes for learners or professionals. Assessment may rely on portfolios, project work, performance rubrics, and real-world results to demonstrate the holder's design capability.

Applications span multiple fields, including product and graphic design, digital interfaces, service design, and urban or public sector design. Strengthening hönnunargetu is viewed as essential for innovation, user-centered design, and the translation of ideas into viable, usable solutions.

See also: design thinking, hönnun, hönnunarfræði, hönnunarskilningur.