CUACER401
Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to proactively experiment and innovate with various ceramic techniques and design concepts to develop professional practice and an individual style.

It applies to individuals who have well developed skills in design and technique and who often produce work at a preprofessional level for sale in outlets such as markets and fairs. They work independently with limited supervision and guidance as required.

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. Develop proficiency with a range of ceramics techniques and media

1.1 Evaluate potential for new approaches to ceramic work based on capabilities of known techniques

1.2 Adapt or introduce new equipment, tools and materials to achieve different effects

1.3 Extend own capability with ceramic techniques through experimentation on samples, practice pieces or a work in progress

1.4 Assess safety and sustainability issues for different techniques and media

2. Develop ideas for ceramics

2.1 Discuss, with key people, creative and other goals for own ceramic work

2.2 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners and comply with intellectual property requirements

2.3 Use knowledge of different ceramic techniques to inform ideas

2.4 Consider how different techniques and ideas can best work together

2.5 Assess the professional potential and presentation requirements of own work to inform ideas

2.6 Refine and confirm ideas based on research, experimentation and collaboration with others

3. Organise ceramics resources

3.1 Identify specific resource requirements for the chosen work

3.2 Research potential sources of supply for ceramic resources

3.3 Evaluate cost and other constraints that impact on development of the work

3.4 Evaluate and respond to presentation considerations for finished ceramic work

3.5 Coordinate required resources and set up according to safety requirements

4. Create finished ceramics

4.1 Create ceramic work using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation, considering and applying elements and principles of design

4.2 Review and refine ideas and approaches based on ongoing experience with production of own work

4.3 Handle equipment, tools and materials safely; minimise and safely dispose of waste throughout all processes

4.4 Document development of own work and the research and ideas that informed it

5. Evaluate own ceramic work

5.1 Reflect on own conceptual development and technical execution of the work

5.2 Identify areas for future skill development and options to learn

5.3 Discuss completed work with others and consider all feedback

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

use a process of thorough research and experimentation to confirm ideas for own work

identify and acquire resources required to complete chosen work

adapt and use a range of calligraphy techniques to create a single major work or multiple ceramic pieces that:

shows technical proficiency in chosen techniques

reflects understanding of elements and principles of design

demonstrates innovation and the emergence of an individual style

review and document the research and development process.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.


Evidence of Knowledge

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe intellectual property requirements relevant to producing ceramic works

explain how the works of other practitioners may be used to inform individual practice

describe the role of experimentation in developing and refining ideas for ceramic work and how it relates to the development of an individual style

explain ways to adapt, extend and combine the capabilities of a wide range of ceramic techniques

describe, for the elements and principles of design, the detailed characteristics, key interrelationships, use in ceramic work and how they may be challenged

summarise, for a wide range of tools and equipment used to produce ceramic work, key physical features, uses and maintenance requirements

list and describe the physical properties and capabilities of a wide range of materials used to produce ceramic work

list suppliers of resources for professional ceramic practice with particular emphasis on raw, part-processed and processed ceramics materials

describe practices and procedures for working safely and sustainably with materials, tools and equipment for producing ceramics.


Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

equipment, tools and materials used to produce ceramic work

relevant information sources.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


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

5.2

Identifies own skills gaps and may initiate a learning plan to progress professional career

Reading

2.2, 3.2

Interprets and evaluates complex and unfamiliar information to support design ideas and to identify key information about resources

Writing

4.4

Uses clear, specific and industry related terminology to document a comprehensive record of research, conceptual idea development and production

Oral Communication

2.1, 5.3

Clearly represents ideas for designs and techniques using relevant industry and conceptual language

Uses questioning and active listening techniques to elicit different perspectives about creative ideas and feedback, and to confirm understanding

Numeracy

2.5, 3.1-3.3

Uses basic calculations to measure and record dimensions of display areas and appropriate size of art pieces to suit

Uses basic calculations to determine and record quantities of equipment, tools and materials

Interprets budgetary constraints and supplier prices and calculates sometimes complex order costs

Navigate the world of work

1.4, 2.2, 3.5, 4.3

Takes responsibility for compliance with legal, safety and sustainability practices associated with creative work

Interact with others

2.1, 5.3

Discusses design concepts and collaborates with other artists to generate new ideas and solutions to achieve best outcomes for own creative work

Engages in an open conversation to elicit and consider the merit of feedback from peers and others to enhance future performance

Get the work done

1.1 -1.3, 2.2-2.6, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2

Takes responsibility for completing own creative works from design inception to realisation, efficiently and logically sequencing the stages of preparation and production

Manages own decisions about appropriate design ideas and techniques by experimentation with a range of explored options

Resolves problems with technique through experimentation and analysis

Reviews work in progress resolving problems through refinement of approach

Creates opportunities to use a more innovative approach and personal style


Sectors

Visual communication – ceramics