MSFDN4005
Work within a furniture design team


Application

This unit of competency covers researching, developing and presenting design and development proposals and documenting outcomes and proposals within a multi-disciplinary enterprise team environment.

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


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Interpret design brief

1.1

Design parameters are clarified, in consultation with designer, sales team, management and/or client where required

1.2

A strategy plan and/or critical path plan is developed when required

1.3

Constraints are identified and taken into account when clarifying the brief

2

Research relevant information

2.1

Trends in materials are researched for performance, aesthetics, care/maintenance requirements and suitability to project or design

2.2

Trends and new technology are researched, where appropriate

2.3

Client priorities are clarified, including cost, performance, aesthetics and availability

2.4

Technical requirements associated with production, including work health and safety (WHS) are assessed, within specified guidelines

2.5

Any additional expertise required for the project is identified

3

Contribute to design concepts

3.1

Preliminary concepts are worked out in conjunction with others to identify possibilities

3.2

Design concept is developed through predetermined criteria, such as ergonomics, materials, colour, properties and end application

3.3

Ideas are contributed and discussed with team members

3.4

Relevant support materials and explanations are developed and refined in conjunction with members of the design team

4

Contribute to the presentation of design/product

4.1

Roles of self and others for the presentation meeting are determined

4.2

Presentation of design or product is carried out in a manner which promotes the design's acceptance/approval

5

Maintain records

5.1

Records are maintained and reports prepared, where necessary, in accordance with enterprise procedures

Evidence of Performance

Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information

Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment

Identify materials used in the work process

Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

prevent damage to goods, equipment and products

maintain required production output and product quality

Research information and share it with others in the team and contribute to the design of products through discussion

Encourage excellence in performance of team/group members suggesting improvements to design activities and, where authorised, negotiate changes

Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements

Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures

Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage

Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity


Evidence of Knowledge

Company operating procedures, including procedures for developing design concepts

Design core and professional practices

Ergonomic principles for furniture design and manufacture

Operation requirements of equipment and work systems in own work area

Competency requirements of the work activities

WHS requirements


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors

have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification

be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.

Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.

Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

Access is required to design development team, design concepts and research and development (R&D) agencies/capabilities.


Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.


Range Statement

Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Unit context includes:

WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent

work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements

work requires individuals to demonstrate conceptual and analytical ability, discretion, judgement and problem solving

work refers to enterprise and client initiated ideas or requests applied under general guidance on progress and outcomes

size and work organisation within the enterprise will determine the range of interaction with other areas/personnel, for example:

patternmaker

sample hand/machinist

marketing/sales

management

customer

Design includes:

applications associated with an original design

adaptation of designs

interpretation of sketches

Personal protective equipment includes:

that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures include:

product catalogues, style manuals or equivalent

enterprise business plans and products

work specifications

customer requirements

design brief

organisation work procedures

legislation, regulations and industry codes of practice relevant to the product

quality and Australian Standards and procedures


Sectors

Furnishing design