Visual artists and designers whose practice includes the design and making of glass objects apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.
At this level, the practitioner has a well-developed command of technical glassworking skills as well as the conceptual and creative skills to create a coherent body of work.
Technique refinement is a largely independent activity with mentoring and guidance as required. It would normally include work with several different techniques as part of the process of developing an individual style. In practice, this process is integrated with the skills described in the unit CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.
Not applicable.
1. Research glassworking ideas and techniques | 1.1 Support professional practice by expanding own knowledge of historical and contemporary glass practice 1.2 Research ways that other artists have used different glassworking techniques 1.3 Investigate how particular glassworking techniques work to achieve different technical effects 1.4 Evaluate the relationships between glassworking techniques and ideas 1.5 Adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements |
2. Select glassworking techniques for refinement | 2.1 Consider the opportunities offered by different glassworking techniques 2.2 Determine limitations and constraints of particular techniques 2.3 Select glass techniques for refinement |
3. Determine safety requirements for glassworking | 3.1 Investigate the safety issues associated with glassworking 3.2 Set up work space according to safety requirements 3.3 Establish and follow safe work practices 3.4 Monitor key safety issues during the production of work |
4. Consolidate glassworking technique to professional level | 4.1 Develop increasing confidence and skill through practice and experimentation 4.2 Proactively identify and resolve technical problems in glassworking projects based on developing expertise 4.3 Challenge and test ideas, and allow new and unpredictable ideas to emerge 4.4 Evolve ideas and other professional skills through ongoing experimentation with technique 4.5 Develop own ways of working with techniques to create individual style 4.6 Create a coherent body of glassworking that shows command of selected glassworking techniques |
5. Evaluate own glassworking technique | 5.1 Evaluate development of own technique with others and seek feedback 5.2 Seek and participate in conversations that challenge and explore different concepts and approaches 5.3 Reflect on the particular ways that experimentation with different techniques has informed own artwork 5.4 Identify ways in which technique may be further developed as part of a professional practice and build ideas into future work |
Required skills
communication skills to engage with others about the technical and conceptual aspects of glasswork
critical thinking and analytical skills to:
evaluate and make judgements about relationships between glass technique, effects and ideas
make critical evaluations of own technique
make critical evaluations of research findings
initiative and enterprise skills to identify and act on opportunities for own practice presented by research and experimentation
learning skills to develop and refine own skills to a professional practice standard
literacy skills to analyse complex and varied information about glassworking
problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical problems in glasswork
self-management and planning skills to create a coherent body of glasswork
technical skills to show command of chosen glassworking techniques at a professional level
technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.
Required knowledge
relationship between glassworking technique, particular effects and ideas – in the work of other artists and in the context of own practice
extended range of information sources that support research in glass practice
cultural, sociological, philosophical, aesthetic, political and commercial influences on glassworking technique, in historical and contemporary contexts
professional development opportunities for artists seeking to develop a glass practice
elements and principles of design and how they may be used, adapted and challenged in the creation of work
intellectual property issues and legislation associated with glassworking as a professional practice
sustainability issues for the professional operation of a glass practice
OHS requirements for the set-up and operation of a professional work space.
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 glassworking technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation develop individual style in own work produce a coherent body of professional artwork that includes the use of well-developed technical glassworking skills research glassworking in the broader context of other artwork and artists use safe and sustainable work practices. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: equipment, materials and tools used to produce glassworking 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 glassworking technique within a body of work produced by the candidate evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine glassworking technique evaluation of the work documentation direct observation of glassworking 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 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. |
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.
Glassworking techniques may include: | applications of alternative modelling and mould-making materials to make moulds, templates and patterns assemblage block and case moulds for casting production casting using pre-formed components combination of techniques finishing techniques: cutting grinding polishing hand cutting hot glass: blowing casting solid forming kiln forming: fusing kiln casting pâté raking slumping, bending and draping lampworking leadlight and copperfoil mould making for: fusing, slumping and draping hot casting kiln casting lampwork multiple layer fusing/casting surface treatments: acid etching engraving incising and piercing sandblasting and sand carving use of a variety of components made from alternative materials, such as wood, stone, metal and ceramic use of inclusions use of advanced 2-part epoxies and UV adhesives to attach glass components use of the following tools and equipment: computer-aided cutter flatbed grinder glass lathe power tools for cutting, grinding and polishing programmable electric kilns sandblaster water jet blaster. |
Technical effects may include: | combination of glass and other materials juxtaposition of opaque, translucent and transparent glass surface treatments specific to glass, including: applied lustres applied paints, enamels and frits erosion techniques, including sandblasting and acid etching fumed finishes multiple layering of different surface treatments. |
Intellectual property requirements may relate to: | copyright design licensing regulations form of acknowledgement or credit moral rights protocols for the adaptation of work by others trademarks. |
Opportunities may relate to: | communication of ideas natural affinity with particular techniques potential for combining techniques potential for interactions between technique and media themes in work. |
Limitations and constraints may relate to: | availability of materials capacity of technique to deliver required effect own interaction with technique resources time. |
Refinement relates to: | ability to use selected techniques with confidence ongoing demonstration of development of technique use of selected techniques in a body of professional work. |
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). |
Technical problems may include: | equipment and machinery breakdown, such as: kiln element failure faulty or broken equipment lack of compatible glass limitations of own technical skill required for selected: firing processes forming techniques surface design and decorating techniques limited availability of space for: displaying finished results producing work, including making, assembling and firing clean and dry storage of work in progress limited kiln capacity, including: limited kiln capacity to allow for work to be fired as required unavailability of kilns suitable for large work. |
Coherent body of glassworking is: | conceptually resolved documented in terms of its development subject to critical feedback by others technically resolved thematically connected. |
Ways in which technique may be further developed may include: | collaboration further study intensive workshops mentored guidance new projects. |
Visual communication – glass
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.