A person who applies the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit works to technical and creative specifications provided by a user interface designer or other designers.

There is scope for individual creativity because a person in this role is expected to generate a range of design options that respond to concepts documented in design specifications. However, these ideas need to demonstrate a sound understanding of user-centred design principles, as well as comply with standards that apply to the specific platforms on which the user interface will be run.

This work is undertaken with some supervision or guidance.

Skills associated with designing user interfaces are covered in:

CUFDIG402A Design user interfaces.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify project requirements

1. Use design specifications in consultation with relevant personnel to clarify the target user, audience and purpose of interactive media products

2. Obtain samples of text content and media assets to be integrated into user interfaces

3. Determine file output format for delivery platform of interactive media products

Generate ideas

4. Research interactive media product user interfaces, designs, images, artwork and other creative sources that may inspire design ideas

5. Obtain other relevant information that may influence or be incorporated into design ideas

6. Determine need for copyright clearance and identify potential for fair use of copyright material

7. Obtain and record copyright clearance if required

8. Use sketches and concepts in specifications as the basis for generating range of design ideas that are technically feasible and provide creative solutions to all design issues

9. Present interface design ideas to relevant personnel for discussion and feedback

Plan approach

10. Select final design, incorporating feedback from relevant personnel as required

11. Identify range of appropriate industry-standard graphics software

12. Discuss and select graphics software with relevant personnel to ensure selection meets specified outcomes

13. Explore range of typographical and visual design elements that could be used in development of interface designs

Produce user interfaces

14. Use graphics software to develop structure for user interfaces based on final design concepts

15. Source or create and integrate all graphic interactive components

16. Apply visual design and communication principles to the development of user interfaces

17. Ensure that user interfaces meet the principles of user-centred design and relevant standards

18. Ensure that user interfaces enhance the display of digital content

19. Document styles for text and presentation for use in style sheets and templates or themes

20. Save user interfaces in an appropriate output format that satisfies technical parameters in consultation with relevant personnel

Evaluate user interfaces

21. Review user interfaces to assess effectiveness of creative solutions, appropriateness to the user and audience, and technical feasibility

22. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to the overall design and undertake any necessary amendments

Required skills

communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions

interpret design specifications

work collaboratively in a team environment - both independently on assignment and under direction

present a range of user interface designs to team members for discussion and feedback

respond constructively to feedback received from other team members

complete workplace documentation

creative skills sufficient to:

generate feasible ideas for user interface designs that meet specifications

apply visual design and communication principles to produce user interface designs

technical skills sufficient to:

proficiently use graphics software to produce user interface designs

create user interface designs to meet standards and platform parameters

manage files and directories using standard naming conventions

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. designers, content creators, information architects, programmers and coders

sound understanding of the relationship between technical and creative aspects and requirements of interactive media projects

issues and challenges that arise in creating user interfaces

standards as they apply to user interfaces, including W3C Accessibility, interoperability, usability and readability

visual design and communication principles, including user-centred design principles

design elements

typography

copyright clearance procedures

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

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:

creation of user interfaces that:

visually communicate to target user and audience

meet required standards and technical parameters of the specified platform

ability to work effectively as a member of a production team.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to design specifications typically used in industry

access to current industry-standard software as listed in the range statement

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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

evaluation of a range of user interfaces created by the candidate in response to design specifications

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUFDIG304A Create visual design components

CUFDIG402A Design user interfaces.

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.

Design specifications may include:

creative requirements

manufacturing specifications

navigation design

priority levels of W3C Accessibility standards

storyboards

technical specifications, including:

disk space

bandwidth

delivery platform

file format for final product

user interface design.

Relevant personnel may include:

graphic designer

information architect

instructional designer

navigation designer

product designer

programmer

project manager

other specialist staff.

Purpose may include:

business and corporate

community

education

entertainment

personal

promotion

training.

Interactive media products may include:

e-commerce

educational product

game

information product

interactive application

promotional product

social network

training product

website.

Media assets may include:

animation

audio

graphics

images

text

video.

Output formats may include:

bitmap image

digital formats, such as:

GIF

JPEG

PDF

TIFF

PICT

PNG

HTML

PSD

vector image.

Delivery platform may include:

CD/DVD

games console

internet

kiosk

mobile phone

personal digital assistant (PDA)

other wireless/mobile devices.

Relevant information may include:

brands

logos

previous versions of interfaces

printed materials

promotion materials

style guides

trademarks.

Graphics software may include:

Fireworks

Illustrator

Photoshop

Photoshop Elements.

Typographical elements may include:

alignment

fonts and typefaces

kerning

leading

point and size

serif or sans serif

tracking.

Visual design elements may include:

colour

form

line

shape

texture

tone.

Interactive components may include:

backgrounds

banners

icons

interactive buttons

interactive controls

logos

menus

search boxes.

Visual design principles may include:

balance

emphasis

focal point

movement

perspective

proportion

scale

unity.

Communication principles may include:

communicates message

conveys meaning

meets audience requirements

uses functional components.

Principles of user-centred design may include:

clear feedback and instructions

consistent behaviour and design for:

common interface elements

menu systems

search boxes

layout

iconography

typography

colour

easy exit if wrong path selected

plain English for text and instructions

simplicity

support for work tasks.

Standards may include:

interoperability

readability

usability

W3C Accessibility.

Unit sector

Visual communication - digital content and imaging

This unit contains employability skills.