CUVCER502A
Investigate ceramic materials and processes

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to research and explore selected ceramic materials and processes and integrate their use into creative practice.

Application

Ceramicists apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They could be designing and making functional items or art pieces.

Material and process exploration at this level is a largely independent activity with some mentoring and guidance as required. It would normally include investigation of a range of materials and processes to develop an individual professional style. In practice, this process is integrated with the skills described in the unit CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Research ceramic materials and processes

1.1 Research the detailed physical properties and capabilities of different ceramic materials

1.2 Investigate the safety issues associated with different materials and processes prior to use

1.3 Collate and store safety and technical data to meet safety requirements and inform future practice

1.4 Investigate the relationship between materials and ceramic processes

1.5 Determine cost and supply parameters

2. Select ceramic materials and processes for exploration

2.1 Assess the creative and professional opportunities offered by different ceramic materials and processes

2.2 Determine limitations and constraints of particular materials and processes

2.3 Select particular materials and processes that suit own practice

3. Integrate ceramic materials and processes into own work

3.1 Explore different ways of working with materials and processes to achieve desired outcomes

3.2 Challenge and stretch the capabilities and uses of different materials and processes through experimentation

3.3 Develop own ways of working with materials and processes

3.4 Engage in informed discussion with others about the characteristics and opportunities of particular ceramic materials and processes

3.5 Establish and follow safe work practices

4. Manage ceramic resources in professional practice

4.1 Establish a sustainable supply of ceramic resources

4.2 Develop ways of working with resources that minimise waste

4.3 Maintain the quality and life of ceramic resources through appropriate handling and storage

Required Skills

Required skills

well-developed ceramic skills

communication skills to engage in informed discussion around materials, processes and their relationship with ideas

critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate and make judgements about relationships between ceramic materials, techniques and processes

initiative and enterprise skills to:

develop individual ways of working with materials and processes

identify and act on opportunities for own practice presented by different materials and processes

learning skills to develop and refine own skills to a professional practice standard

literacy skills to analyse varied and technical information about ceramic materials and processes

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical problems in ceramic work

self-management and planning skills to:

develop own ways of working with ceramic materials and processes

research and organise sustainable supply of materials and processes

technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.

Required knowledge

ways in which a wide range of ceramic materials and processes can be used, adapted, combined and challenged by the professional artist

physical properties and capabilities of the selected materials and processes

types of technical and other data that may need to be stored for safety and other reasons

characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

cost and supply parameters for ceramic materials and tools in the context of professional practice

storage requirements and options for different materials

intellectual property issues and legislation associated with ceramics as a professional practice

sustainability issues for the professional operation of a ceramics practice

OHS requirements for the set-up and operation of a professional work space.

Evidence Required

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 ability to:

apply knowledge of ceramic materials and processes and how they may be adapted and extended at a professional level

evolve and refine ways of working with materials and processes through a demonstrated process of experimentation

integrate materials and processes into own work in a way that supports coherence of the creative work

demonstrate technical proficiency in the independent use of selected materials and processes

use safe and sustainable work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a safe ceramics work space

equipment, materials and tools used to produce ceramics work.

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:

evaluation of the use of materials and processes in terms of the coherence of the body of work

evaluation of processes used by the candidate to develop new ways of working with ceramic materials and processes

evaluation of the work documentation

questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.


Range Statement

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.

Physical properties and capabilities may include:

properties of clay bodies, such as:

fine or coarse

fired strength: robust or fragile

green strength or fragility

high fire or low fire

opaque or translucent

plastic or short

vitrified, sintered or raw

white or dark

properties of:

glaze materials

colouring oxides and commercial stains

various model and mould-making materials.

Ceramic materials may include:

cardboard and paper

commercial ceramic colours

decorating slips and engobes

glazes

latex

oxides

pottery plaster

range of casting slips

range of plastic clay bodies

resins

shellac

silicones

wax.

Safety issues may relate to:

dust and airborne particles

electrical safety

equipment used

fire

fumes

kilns

manual handling requirements

noise

sharp objects

use and labelling of chemicals

use of equipment with moving parts

wet surfaces

work posture.

Data may include:

firing logs

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

quantity calculations

recipes for bodies, slips, glazes and decorating materials

records of experimentation

technical data sheets (TDS)

throwing logs.

Ceramic processes may include:

firing processes, including:

raku, earthenware, midfire and stoneware firings in a fuel fired kiln

raku, earthenware, midfire and stoneware firings in an electric kiln

forming techniques including:

deformation, alteration and assembly techniques

extruding

handbuilding (model, pinch and coil)

mould making, slipcasting and press moulding

ram pressing

throwing and turning

glazing techniques, including:

brushing

dipping

layering

pouring

spraying

surface decorating techniques, including:

additive processes: applied slip, sprigs and other added components

subtractive processes: carving, incising, impressing and eroding

use of colour

use of pattern and texture.

Cost and supply parameters may include:

budgetary restrictions

capacity to share costs with others

continuity of supply

delivery issues

location of suppliers

potential for use of found objects

terms of payment

use of freely available natural materials

use of recycled materials.

Creative and professional opportunities may relate to:

creative potential:

communication of ideas

personal affinity with particular materials and processes

potential for combining materials and processes

potential for interactions of different materials and processes

themes in work

professional potential:

collaboration

emerging market trends

professional development

saleability.

Limitations and constraints may include:

availability of supplies

access to skilled and experienced personnel

financial expenditure

location and geography

safety aspects of materials and processes

skill level required for use of selected materials and processes

storage facilities

studio space

timeframe

transportation.

Different ways of working with materials and processes may involve:

combining materials and processes in new ways

making samples, prototypes and maquettes

varying established approaches to achieve new effects

working collaboratively with a particular material or process.

Own ways of working may include:

approaches that reflect and support individual voice

particular nuances and subtleties unique to the individual artist.

Safe work practices may include:

completing MSDS

correct disposal of waste materials

dust and fume extraction

ergonomic safety

managing risk

procedures for using kilns and other specialist equipment

reporting accidents and incidents

use of tools and equipment

using clearly designated wet and dry areas

using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Sustainable supply is:

available when needed

environmentally friendly

of appropriate quality

safe

within budgetary requirements.

Appropriate handling and storage may include:

alternative casting materials: silicone, resins and waxes

appropriate racks, shelving and cupboards for:

biscuit fired work

damp work in progress

decorating materials

dry work in progress

glazed work

plaster moulds

smaller quantities of dry materials

tools and equipment

appropriate storage containers and rooms for storing:

bulk dry materials

casting slips

plastic clay

pottery plaster

liquid materials, including:

commercial colours

solvent-based liquids

water-based liquids.


Sectors

Visual communication – ceramics


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.