A good piece of artwork to work with, a lot of patience, a lot of tial and error and sometimes to be able to accept I can not do that (yet). Also people who are able to help you if you get stuck. Sometimes you are in luck and find good tutorials.

There's a nice article on the subject to be found at the FlyingNeedle site - see link.

A good digitizer is one who makes a lot of money!
LOL..
Hugs Bev

The willingness to never settle for something that is less than the very best you can do, regardless of how long it takes you.
And I rarely ever charge for any designs I digitise for other Cuties, so you don't have to make money to be a good digitiser.
hugs n roses, Meganne

I digitize the way I know I want it to sew out as an embroiderer. I hate a million jumps, and I like the colors to flow in a good order. I take my time and if a design frustrates me or I get bored with it, I come back to it another time. If I am bored with a design, the quality will be poor.
Lisa

In a well digitzed design the colors changes flow easily from one to another with few jump stitches.
Has texture from the way stitches are laid in different directions by the digitizer.
Has highlight colors to set off the design.

Having a design with minimal stitches so the design stitches out easily and is not bullet proof or too heavy for any fabric.

I am sure there is lots more to learn about digitizing a great design but this is what I notice makes up a good design as an embroiderer! LOL.

EastWitch2