Illustrators still developing a full repertoire of professional skills apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They could be employed in graphic design studios, architectural practices, book and magazine publishers or the media. Illustrators frequently offer their services on a freelance basis from a home-based business. Illustrations could appear in print publications, on storyboards for screen productions, on promotional banners or online.
At this level research, experimentation and ongoing refinement are required to produce a range of illustrative work where an individual is beginning the process of finding an individual style. Work is carried out independently with supervision and guidance as required.
Not applicable.
1. Interpret briefs for illustrative work | 1.1 Interpret the specifications of illustration briefs 1.2 Take user or client requirements into account when making decisions about illustrative work 1.3 Clarify issues about specifications, parameters and constraints with relevant people as required 1.4 Source and evaluate information pertinent to briefs |
2. Organise resources | 2.1 Identify resources required for the development of illustrative work, including work space, materials, tools and equipment 2.2 Prepare and care for resources according to requirements 2.3 Follow storage and inventory procedures |
3. Test design approaches for illustrative work | 3.1 Produce preliminary visual representations 3.2 Identify possible illustrative approaches and establish criteria for selecting final approach 3.3 Select appropriate materials, tools and equipment and test approaches and techniques 3.4 Evaluate testing processes against criteria and select the approach that best meets the requirements of briefs 3.5 Critique own work and seek feedback as required 3.6 Refine and accurately document the illustrative approach based on testing processes |
4. Produce illustrative work | 4.1 Create illustrations using the selected approach 4.2 Respond positively to feedback and refine illustrative work as required 4.3 Present finished work within agreed work parameters |
Required skills
communication skills to engage with others about illustrative work
initiative and enterprise skills to experiment with illustration techniques to produce different effects
learning skills to refine and improve a range of techniques
literacy skills to interpret illustration briefs and research information about illustration
numeracy skills to deal with technical illustration concepts
self-management and planning skills to plan work tasks
technical skills to evaluate, adapt and integrate a range of illustration techniques
technology skills to use industry-standard illustration software.
Required knowledge
role of experimentation in developing and refining illustrative work
techniques, materials, tools and equipment and their application to illustrative work
types of briefs for illustrative work
formal elements and principles of design and their application to illustrative work
ideas, techniques and work of other illustrators
history and theory of design in relation to illustrative work
elements and principles of design and how they may be used, adapted and challenged in the creation of illustrations
intellectual property issues and legislation and their relevance to illustrative work
OHS requirements for illustrative work.
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: produce multiple examples of illustrative work that meet the requirements of briefs demonstrate a command of selected illustration techniques. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | The assessment context must provide for: briefs on which to base illustrative work equipment and tools used to produce illustrative 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: direct observation of illustrative work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques evaluation of illustrative work produced by the candidate questioning and discussion about the 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: BSBDES401A Generate design solutions BSBDES402A Interpret and respond to a design brief. |
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.
Specifications may refer to: | audience medium purpose style. |
Briefs are usually prepared by a commissioning body or organisation and may be: | diagrammatic verbal visual written. |
Illustrative work may be for: | advertisements architectural illustration books caricature cartoon children’s book development of techniques experimentation and exploration illustrations for urban planning layout design logos magazines mock-ups posters story boards for animation storybooks technical, anatomical and botanical illustration wordmarks web design. |
Parameters and constraints | client’s organisational background cost finished art requirements considerations, such as: contractual copyright ethical health and safety legal material characteristics product characteristics and statistics subject matter quantity technology timeframe. |
Relevant people | clients colleagues industry practitioners managers mentors supervisors. |
Work space needs may include: | drafting table electronic equipment lighting and power requirements process-specific needs. |
Materials may include: | board canvas charcoal crayons fabrics found surfaces glues graphite inks marker pens pastels pencils range of papers of different weights and textures vellum water-based and oil-based paints and mediums wood. |
Tools and equipment may include: | computer and software applications for illustration digital camera photocopier (black and white and colour) printer range of brushes, including air brushes scanner scrapers handmade pen from bamboo or feather spatulas sponges spray cans steel nibs in pen holders sticks. |
Preliminary visual representations may involve: | computer-aided exploration sketching. |
Approaches may encompass: | aesthetic considerations choice of medium and materials parameters of the brief solutions in terms of illustration. |
Criteria may relate to: | access to materials, tools and equipment required for the production of illustrative work access to specialist support services consistency with illustration briefs ease of application personal affinity with medium and materials. |
Strategies to test techniques may involve: | exploring techniques by making practice pieces, test pieces, mock-ups or samples testing materials and their application. |
Techniques may include: | calligraphy cartooning collage digital imaging drawing for animation lettering line drawing mixed media stencilling tonal drawing types of painting: watercolour, gouache and oil painting. |
Process followed to refine the design approach may involve: | adjustment to content adjustment to take account of elements and principles of design adjustment to use extended capabilities of techniques. |
Process used to document the approach may involve: | final sketches material samples photographs written rationale or description. |
Visual communication – illustration
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.