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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with others about ceramics practice and challenges

critical thinking and analytical skills to

evaluate the needs of particular work projects including design briefs for work

research and evaluate historical and contemporary trends to inform ideas

literacy skills to read specifications and requirements for ceramics work

problemsolving skills to identify and resolve technical surface treatment problems

numeracy skills to work with numerical features of ceramics processes including

measurements of materials

timing processes

selfmanagement planning and organising skills to evaluate opportunities in own practice in relation to new and innovative surface treatments

technology skills to safely use ceramics equipment

Required knowledge

ways to adapt extend and combine the capabilities of different surface treatments

physical properties and capabilities of an extended range of materials and tools used for surface treatments

characteristics of different materials under different surface treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

formal elements and principles of design and how they may be used adapted and challenged in ceramics work

historical and theoretical contexts for different surface treatments and how they may be used to inform individual practice

sources of resources needed to create different surface effects

intellectual property issues and legislation to be considered by independent arts practitioners

sustainability considerations for the professional operation of a ceramics practice

OHS requirements for the setup and operation of a ceramics work space

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

develop surface treatment ideas and designs through a demonstrated process of research and experimentation

produce multiple finished ceramic pieces that demonstrate use of a range of different surface treatments

apply knowledge of materials techniques equipment and processes used to achieve different surface effects

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

a safe ceramics work space

ceramic materials tools and equipment

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

evaluation of surface treatments within a body of work produced by the candidate

evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine surface treatment technique

direct observation of work in progress including exploration of and experimentation with techniques

questioning and discussion about candidates intentions and the work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty reports from experienced practitioners

Assessment methods should closely reflect work place demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

CUVCERA Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics

CUVCER401A Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ceramic surface treatments may include:	added surface components brushing burnishing carving dipping glaze on glaze impressing incising, sgraffito and engraving inlaying modelling modifying applications neriage pouring printing resist and masking techniques scraping sponging spraying sprigging trailing.
Ideas and designs may be influenced by:	artistic aspirations current capability with techniques historical and theoretical contexts research subject matter or theme for the work, such as: built environment land and place natural world political, cultural and social issues the body spiritual concerns.
Research may involve:	approaching individuals with relevant expertise attending lectures and talks conducting material and technical experiments and tests searching the internet seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers and catalogues visiting exhibitions and museums.
Intellectual property requirements include:	extent to which the work of others may be used form of acknowledgement or credit procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright protocols for the adaptation of work by others.
Professional potential may relate to:	cost of production existence of an established market how to promote or sell the work market trends professional development.
Criteria may relate to:	access to materials, tools and equipment for the techniques contemporary and historical use of ceramic surface treatments ease of application of the techniques personal affinity with the techniques.
Process followed to refine ideas may include:	adjustment to subject matter or theme adjustment to take account of elements and principles of design adjustment to use extended capabilities of techniques.
Tools and equipment may include:	banding wheels brushes and toothbrushes compressor digital camera electronic equipment used in design work, e.g. computer, scanner and printer software hands and fingers kiln furniture and equipment kilns: electric, gas, wood or raku knives and blades measuring devices modelling and carving tools personal protective equipment (PPE) programmable kiln controller rolling tools sponges and stamps spray booth, spray gun and air brush tongs trailing tools.
Materials may include:	glazes colouring oxides, stains and pigments commercial colours lustres range of clays slips and engobes resist materials: wax, latex, shellac, glues and paper other materials, such as ashes, rocks, local clays and glass.
Safety and sustainability considerations may include:	federal, state and territory legislation, regulations and standards personal protection recycling safe disposal of waste ventilation.
Workplace requirements may include:	dust extraction lighting process-specific requirements ventilation.
Technical problems may include:	limitations of own technical skill required for: forming techniques application techniques surface design and decorating techniques limited availability of space for: displaying fired results production of work: making, assembling and firing storage issues for work in progress: cleanliness humidity security other limitations, such as: equipment and machinery breakdown limited availability of or access to specialist materials, tools and equipment.