The embodied knowledge of how to translate a mental vision to reality. Skill sets are built the quickest through experience. Can be learned through a book, a website, a youtube video, etc, but at some you have to take a step towards taking action. Skill sets are built and honed through practice, trial and error.
Skill sets give structure to the process of creation; the approach one takes to creating something. The decision to do something themselves, to “farm” it out, to use off the shelf parts, or even to not do something at all. The more skill sets we have, the more we understand our skill sets and approach them this way, projects and the process of completion becomes clearer.
This is where the idea of “work smart, not hard” comes into play. Derek would rather solve a problem with fancy coding rather than with electronics wizardry.