This unit applies to individuals who generate concepts and solutions in response to a design challenge in any industry context. The starting point may be an open or closed brief; a spontaneous idea; modification of an existing product, service, process or system; or a point in an ongoing design process.

This unit builds on BSBDES201A Follow a design process, and places greater focus on research, concept generation and collaboration with others as key aspects of the design process.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Define the design challenge

1.1. Determine and evaluate user/client needs

1.2. Clarify specifications, parameters and constraints of the design challenge in consultation with relevant stakeholders

1.3. Articulate the essence of the design challenge in an appropriate format

2. Undertake research to inform the design solution

2.1. Source, evaluate and acknowledge information that may assist in responding to the design challenge

2.2. Consider historical, current and future perspectives and trends that might inform design solutions

2.3. Consider relevant social, economic, environmental, ethical and cultural issues that may impact on design solutions

2.4. Analyse, distil and collate information to inform the development of the design solution

3. Communicate and collaborate with others

3.1. Establish and develop working relationships with key stakeholders

3.2. Seek and integrate input and ideas from others during the design process

3.3. Inform key stakeholders about progress of the design and related implications

3.4. Negotiate and agree on any changed requirements or modifications

4. Generate ideas and responses to the design challenge

4.1. Reflect on and integrate ideas generated from research and consultation

4.2. Use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate different options and ideas

4.3. Apply relevant principles of functionality, ergonomics, aesthetics and sustainability to the development of different options

5. Select a design solution

5.1. Develop and use a range of criteria against which to evaluate different options and ideas

5.2. Select a preferred solution against agreed criteria and in consultation with relevant key stakeholders

5.3. Adjust and refine proposed design solution based on research, testing and reflection

5.4. Present proposed design solution with appropriate supporting documentation according to project requirements

Required skills

communication skills to liaise, consult and negotiate with others on potentially complex issues

creative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate a range of ideas and solutions to a particular design challenge

research skills to interpret and develop a wide range of visual and written information sources

planning and organisational skills to collate information, and to coordinate liaison and consultation with others during the design process.

Required knowledge

copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation that impact on design in the relevant context

elements and principles of design and their application in the relevant design context

features of the wider industry, economic, social and historical context in which design solutions are being generated

other designs and the work of other design practitioners in the relevant context

sources of information that support the development of technical and other knowledge

technical knowledge of the area for which design solutions are being generated - in terms of materials, tools, equipment, techniques and industry processes and procedures.

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:

development of a design solution through research, reflection and the generation and refinement of ideas

effective collaboration with others in the design process

knowledge of design trends and technologies in the relevant industry context.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

interaction with others to reflect the collaborative nature of the design process

access to sources of information on design in the relevant 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

evaluation of a design solution generated by the candidate against an original brief, set of criteria or guiding objectives

evaluation of the process used to reach a design solution in terms of research and ideas generation/refinement

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of technical and context issues that impact on design in a given industry context.

Guidance information for assessment

The design process does not occur in isolation. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Combined assessment with the following unit is appropriate:

BSBCRT301A Develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills.

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.

User/client needs may be:

expressed in a brief:

diagrammatic

verbal

visual

written

expressed in other documentation such as research papers or workplace plans

informally articulated

in need of further research

Specifications, parameters and constraints may relate to:

audience

budgeting and financing

cost of production

medium

purpose

technical issues

timeframes

Appropriate format may include:

drawings or sketches - manual or computer aided design and drafting (CADD)

electronic presentation

verbal presentation

written notes with rationale or description

Information may include:

codes of practice

contractual obligations

historical data

industry standards

legal requirements

specialist information

technological trends and developments

Historical, current and future perspectives and trends may relate to:

industry context

materials

social or ethical issues

sustainability

technologies

Social, economic, ethical and cultural issues may include:

availability of materials, tools or equipment

budgetary issues

community impact

cost of production

customer relationships

government policies

sponsorship opportunities

triple bottom line (people, planet, profit)

workforce relationships

Environmental issues may include:

conservation of resources

energy efficiency

environmental consciousness/green design

recycling

use of renewable resources

waste/by products/emissions

Key stakeholders may include:

client

employer

end user

peers

supervisor

technical experts

work colleagues

Creative thinking techniques may include:

brainstorming:

bulletin board

buzz session

computer-aided

sequencing

stop and go

daydreaming and mental wandering

Edward de Bono's six thinking hats

ego alter or heroes

graphic organisers:

concept fans

visual maps

webbing

lateral thinking games

making associations

mind mapping

morphological analysis

storytelling

sub-culture surfing

trigger words

use of metaphors and analogies

vision circles

visualisation

wishful thinking

word salads

Functionality, ergonomics, aesthetics and sustainability may be related to:

end use and users

production processes

Criteria against which to evaluate different options and ideas may relate to:

access to resources - physical, human or financial

aesthetic appeal

consistency with original brief

desired level of originality and innovation

ease of manufacture or further development

environmental sustainability

ethical issues

health and safety requirements

impact upon client and community

industry standards and practice

legal issues

level of risk

personal affinity with medium and materials

technological considerations

Supporting documentation may include:

drawings or plans

illustrations

material samples

models

photographs

specifications for production

Unit sector

Design - Design Process

This unit contains employability skills.