Design occurs in all industries and increasingly, quality design is considered a key factor in building organisational and industry capacity and competitiveness.

This unit applies to individuals working in any context, who need to develop a basic appreciation and knowledge of the way that design works in a particular industry, and of its potential impacts on industry and individual work practice.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Source information on design in a given industry context

1.1. Investigate the nature, history, role and importance of design in the industry

1.2. Evaluate the roles played by designers and other contributors in the design process

1.3. Source information on the impacts of technology on design in the industry

2. Examine links between design and own work

2.1. Investigate impacts of design on own work

2.2. Consider role of individual workers across the industry in affecting future design directions

3. Keep up to date with industry design trends

3.1. Identify and access opportunities to maintain currency of knowledge about industry design trends

3.2. Evaluate how design trends affect the overall industry and the way it operates

3.3. Share information and pro-actively discuss emerging trends with work colleagues

3.4. Identify trends that will impact on own work and seek opportunities to develop appropriate skills

Required skills

communication skills to discuss design in a particular industry context with others

research and literacy skills to source and interpret a wide range of information sources on design in a particular industry context

self-management and learning skills to take responsibility for identifying and accessing professional development opportunities.

Required knowledge

consumer/end-user expectations

current and emerging technologies and their effects on design in the industry

current and past designers of influence in the industry

current trends in use of design in a given industry context

different definitions of design, and the differences and similarities between design and product development

major design trends in the industry

role of design in a given industry context.

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 following is essential:

sourcing and interpreting a range of information sources on design and applying concepts to own work situation

knowledge of design in a specific industry context, and its impact on individual work practice.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to sources of information on design in a specific industry context.

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:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the nature, history, role and importance of design in a specific industry context.

Guidance information for assessment

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

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.

Nature, history, role and importance of design may relate to:

changing nature of consumer expectations

design and the role it plays in overall industry development, both locally and overseas

design as competitive edge for individual organisations

historical development of design in the industry

important design influences in the industry

links between design and legislation (e.g. specific requirements such as emission controls for vehicles, safety features of buildings, solar protection for clothing)

Other contributors may be those involved in:

marketing

operations

product development

production

Impacts of technology may include:

changes in work structures

changing staff demographics

different relationships with other industries (e.g. information technology)

different staff requirements

location changes to accommodate different technologies

Impacts of design on own work may include potential changes to:

cost structures and resulting work practices

equipment

materials

own roles and responsibilities

procedures

skill requirements

Role of individual workers may relate to:

adapting processes for greater efficiency

developing design ideas based on operational knowledge and experience

pro-actively making suggestions about new ways of doing things

providing feedback on design concepts

Opportunities to maintain currency of knowledge may include:

attendance at seminars or other professional development opportunities

conferences

exhibitions and trade shows

formal training

industry associations or organisations

industry social functions

master classes

media (including internet)

reference manuals

unions or employer bodies

Unit sector

Design - Design Process

This unit contains employability skills.