CUVCER503A
Refine throwing techniques

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design and produce complex ceramic forms using throwing techniques. Professional thrown work is only produced as a result of substantial time dedicated to working at the wheel. This is a specialisation unit that reflects this reality about ceramics practice.

Application

Ceramicists apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. At this level, the practitioner makes a wide variety of thrown objects to a professional level. Those objects may be functional or artistic.

This work is carried out independently with mentoring or guidance as required.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Develop ideas for thrown ceramics

1.1 Evaluate work opportunities offered by thrown ceramics

1.2 Research ideas for thrown work from historical and contemporary references

1.3 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements

1.4 Refine ideas through play, experimentation and testing

1.5 Create designs for thrown forms that meet the needs of the market or design brief

2. Determine and establish safe work conditions for throwing

2.1 Investigate safety issues associated with thrown work

2.2 Set up work space, materials, tools and equipment for wheel work according to safety requirements

2.3 Establish and follow safe work practices

2.4 Monitor key safety issues during the production of work

3. Throw, turn and finish ceramic items

3.1 Determine suitable throwing methods for different items

3.2 Explore and experiment with a broad range of materials, tools and equipment and advanced techniques, to make thrown ceramic forms

3.3 Throw individual items and sets to appropriate design requirements in relation to form and function

3.4 Define ceramic forms using appropriate assembly finishing techniques

3.5 Trim and prepare articles for further decoration

4. Refine throwing technique

4.1 Use the wheel with increasing confidence and skill

4.2 Develop technique to professional level through application of time and practice

4.3 Show command of thrown technique within a coherent body of ceramic work

4.4 Identify and resolve technical problems in throwing projects based on developing expertise

4.5 Use ongoing experimentation with technique to refine ideas

4.6 Develop own ways of working with the throwing process to create individual style

5. Evaluate own thrown work

5.1 Evaluate development of own thrown work with others and seek feedback

5.2 Identify ways in which technique may be further developed as part of a professional ceramics practice and build ideas into future work

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to engage with others about throwing practice and challenges

critical thinking and analytical skills to:

evaluate the needs of particular work projects, including design briefs for work

research and evaluate historical and contemporary trends to inform ideas

literacy skills to read specifications and requirements

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical throwing problems

numeracy skills to work with numerical features of ceramics processes (e.g. measurements of materials)

self-management, planning and organising skills to:

evaluate throwing opportunities in own practice

set up a throwing work space

technology skills to safely use pottery wheels

technical skills to use advanced throwing techniques to produce:

single forms and larger forms

sets or families of forms, such as matching sets, multiples of related series, and modular forms.

Required knowledge

elements and principles of design and their specific application throwing

features of different ceramic forms created through throwing, including cylinder, open, ovoids and closed

physical properties and capabilities of the range of materials, tools and equipment used in ceramic work and in particular throwing

work space requirements for thrown ceramic work, including ways of organising and maintaining space

ways of exploring, adapting and extending techniques and materials to achieve different effects in throwing

cleaning and maintenance techniques for tools and equipment used in wheel work

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

sustainability considerations for thrown ceramic work

OHS requirements for throwing work.

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:

evolve and refine throwing technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation, problem solving and independent work

produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that demonstrates well-developed throwing technique for the creation of both single works and multiples of related and matching works

research throwing in the context of historical and contemporary ceramics work as a source of ideas for own work

investigate current market trends and opportunities

use safe work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a safe ceramics work space

ceramic materials, tools and equipment for thrown 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 throwing technique within a body of work produced by the candidate

evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine throwing technique

direct observation of throwing in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques

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 work place 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:

CUVACD510A Manage kiln operations

CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques

CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes

CUVCER505A Develop and apply ceramic glazes

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.

Work opportunities may relate to:

brief for thrown work

commissions from others

competitions

creation of individual items or sets

local demand

retail opportunities

self-generated ideas.

Thrown ceramics may include one-off and related ranges of:

architectural ceramics

decorative wares, including items with lids and handles:

geometric forms: spheres, ovoids, rhomboids and cylinders

open and closed forms

platters and vessels

functional ware, including matching sets and items with lids and handles:

garden ware

kitchenware

tableware

items with handles pulled on and off the form

modular forms

sculptural objects:

abstract and figurative sculpture

non-symmetrical forms

vessel forms.

References may include:

art critics, cultural theorists, philosophers and social commentators

art history texts

exhibitions, museums and galleries

films

images, objects and artworks

internet

journal articles

own experience

performances and presentations

technical or medium-specific information

writings.

Intellectual property requirements may relate to:

copyright laws

design licensing regulations

extent to which the work may be used

form of acknowledgement or credit

moral rights law

procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright

protocols for the adaptation of work by others

trademarks regulations.

Designs may include:

drawings

maquettes.

Safe work practices may include:

completing material safety data sheets (MSDS)

correct disposal of waste materials

dust and fume extraction

ergonomic safety

managing risk

reporting accidents and incidents

use of tools and equipment

using clearly designated wet and dry areas

using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Suitable throwing methods may include:

assembled

off the hump

one piece

thrown and coiled.

Materials, tools and equipment may include:

equipment:

compressor

computer, scanner and printer for design work

extruder

kiln furniture and equipment

kilns: electric, gas, wood and raku

PPE

pottery wheels: electronically controlled, cone driven and kick

pugmill

spray booth and spray gun

materials:

body additives, such as grog, paper pulp, sand and sawdust

commercial ceramic colours

glazes

oxides

range of clay bodies

resist materials, such as wax, latex, shellac and paper

slips and engobes

tools:

banding wheels

brushes, sponges and other decorating tools

measuring devices, including calipers

modelling, cutting and carving tools

throwing log

throwing, turning and trimming tools

tools for applying pattern and texture.

Coherent body of ceramic workis:

conceptually resolved

documented in terms of its development

subject to critical feedback by others

technically resolved

thematically connected.

Technical problemsmay include:

limitations of own technical skill required for:

throwing techniques

glaze application techniques

surface design and decorating techniques

limited availability of space for:

displaying fired results

production of work, including making, assembling and firing

clean, dry and secure storage of work in progress

other limitations, such as:

equipment and machinery breakdown

limited availability of or access to specialist tools and equipment

skills and knowledge required for selected firing processes.

Ways in which technique may be further developedmay include:

collaboration

further study

intensive workshops

mentored guidance

new projects.


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.