Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and extend skills as a practising designer.
It applies to individuals who work as a designer, in any industry context, either independently or employed by an organisation.
Designers must continually refine, develop and evaluate their own conceptual and technical skills. Research, experimentation and collaboration are key factors in this process.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1 Acquire and develop technical skills | 1.1 Plan strategies to ensure the development of appropriate technical skills in design practice 1.2 Plan and use opportunities to develop and assess technical skills 1.3 Identify and use practice, feedback, discussion and evaluation opportunities to continuously improve technical skills 1.4 Develop and extend technical skills through testing capabilities of materials, tools and equipment 1.5 Identify and use relevant media to stimulate technical and professional development |
2 Develop conceptual skills and ideas | 2.1 Engage in ongoing experimentation and exploration of different ideas and techniques 2.2 Discuss ideas with others and apply knowledge gained to inform own work 2.3 Use work practice to gain experience in a range of genres and interpretations 2.4 Study the work of others to stimulate conceptual and technical skills development 2.5 Research and share ideas across a range of design disciplines 2.6 Identify and use a range of opportunities to develop own skills and keep informed about current design practice |
3 Develop own voice | 3.1 Explore and experiment with new ideas in making and/or interpreting design work 3.2 Explore and use technology, where appropriate, to develop own voice and expand practice 3.3 Demonstrate own voice through design project realisation implementation |
4 Evaluate own work | 4.1 Seek and apply constructive criticism from others to improve own work 4.2 Evaluate own work against planned strategy for own practice 4.3 Evaluate own work in the context of work by others to extend own practice 4.4 Adjust work processes and practice as necessary to improve technical, conceptual and commercial outcomes |
5 Research work opportunities | 5.1 Correctly identify sources of information relating to work opportunities for designers 5.2 Identify networks and promotional opportunities for designers which may be helpful in developing career opportunities 5.3 Incorporate research results and information into own work and career planning |
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Learning | 1.1-1.5, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 3.2, 4.1-4.3 | Uses practical strategies to identify and implement improvements in own creative skills and technical design skills and practice |
Reading | 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 5.1-5.3 | Researches and evaluates a variety of textual information from a wide range of sources |
Writing | 2.5, 4.1, 5.3 | Uses clear and specific language to document ideas, feedback and research results |
Oral Communication | 1.3, 2.2, 2.5, 4.1 | Participates in a range of verbal exchanges and presentations using appropriate tone and vocabulary to suit the audience Uses active listening and questioning techniques to clarify and confirm understanding |
Navigate the world of work | 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 5.2 | Recognises the importance of developing technical skills and of learning from feedback and self-reflection Begins to broaden areas of interest and focus, seeking new challenges and recognising that expertise can be adapted and applied in diverse contexts |
Interact with others | 2.5, 4.1, 5.2 | Begins to cultivate relationships with people with the knowledge, skills and influence to provide collaborative support |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.3, 2.6, 3.1-3.3, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1 | Takes responsibility for planning and implementing tasks required to achieve outcomes, including those times when interaction with others is Systematically analyses and evaluates information to aid in decision making and problem solving Applies some basic principles of lateral thinking to generate new or innovative ideas Recognises the potential of new approaches to enhance work practices and outcomes Evaluates effectiveness of decisions on how well they meet stated goals Understands key principles and concepts underpinning the design and operation of digital systems and applies these when seeking to understand the potential of new technology |
Sectors
Design – Design Process