Application
This unit of competency covers researching and recommending furniture and accessories for various decoration and design solutions to meet client and project brief requirements and applies to a design and decoration, retail, consulting or studio 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 decoration requirements from project brief | 1.1 | Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to researching and recommending furniture and accessories are verified and complied with | |
1.2 | Project brief is reviewed and clarified with client to determine requirements for furniture and accessories | |||
1.3 | Parameters for furniture and accessories are assessed and confirmed | |||
1.4 | Resources are selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness | |||
1.5 | Communication with others is established and maintained | |||
2 | Research furniture | 2.1 | Aesthetic and style requirements of the furniture are assessed | |
2.2 | Intended application for the furniture is analysed and reviewed | |||
2.3 | New furniture technologies are researched and reported | |||
2.4 | Tactile requirements of the furniture in relation to the design are researched | |||
2.5 | Properties of the materials used in the production of furniture are analysed and evaluated | |||
2.6 | Manufacturing processes and available expertise for the desired furniture are assessed | |||
2.7 | Costs and availability of furniture are assessed and compared | |||
2.8 | Environmental impact of furniture materials used are assessed | |||
2.9 | Longevity and restorability qualities of furniture are researched | |||
2.10 | Space is measured for furniture requirements, calculating quantities and requirements | |||
2.11 | Principles of anthropometrics, ergonomics and spatial relationships are applied | |||
3 | Research accessories | 3.1 | Aesthetic and colour requirements of the accessories are assessed | |
3.2 | Intended application for the accessories is analysed and reviewed | |||
3.3 | New accessory technologies are researched and reported | |||
3.4 | Tactile requirements of the accessories in relation to the design are researched | |||
3.5 | Properties of the materials used in the production of accessories are analysed and evaluated | |||
3.6 | Manufacturing processes and available expertise for the desired accessories are assessed | |||
3.7 | Costs and availability of accessories are assessed and compared | |||
3.8 | Environmental impact of accessory materials used is assessed | |||
3.9 | Longevity and restorability qualities of accessories are researched | |||
3.10 | Space is measured for accessory requirements, calculating quantities and requirements | |||
3.11 | Sketches and drawings are completed and prepared for positioning of products, materials and accessories | |||
4 | Make recommendations to client | 4.1 | Quantities and qualities of selected furniture and accessories are presented and promoted to the client | |
4.2 | Performance and characteristics of selected furniture and accessories are presented and promoted to the client | |||
4.3 | Costs associated with purchasing and obtaining the furniture and accessories are provided in quote form to the client | |||
4.4 | Presentation of research information and samples is made, highlighting the findings and rationale for the furniture and accessories chosen | |||
4.5 | Feedback and follow up is instigated and maintained with the client | |||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work orders 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 and recommend furniture and accessories to assist with informing the design and decoration process and arrive at a solution which meets client requirements, and effectively apply design elements and principles to the research and recommendation
Research and recommend furniture and accessories in accordance with the project brief
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area/volume and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, presentation of design/colour concepts, the reporting of work outcomes and problems
Initiate new ideas and work techniques
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
State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for researching and recommending furniture and accessories
Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for researching and recommending furniture and accessories
Elements and principles of design, including liveability and accessibility
Creativity and artistic relevance
Ergonomics, anthropometrics, proxemics and aesthetic values
Types of equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
Characteristics of materials, products and defects
Relevant computer programs
Furniture types and styles
Accessory types and styles
Design themes and design development
Colours, furnishings and decorations
Sketching and drawing techniques
Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement
Environmental protection requirements
Established communication channels and protocols
Relevant problem identification and resolution
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards (NSSC) Council 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 materials, equipment and specifications relevant to researching and recommending furniture and accessories.
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, Liveable and Accessible Housing Design guidelines, and organisation insurance requirements work requires individual to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem solving, plus self-management and learning skills |
Project brief includes: | client needs and objectives client aims and objectives and criteria for evaluation milestones organisational or personal profiles and aims image requirements and function target market budget timeline consultation requirements colour requirements |
Clients include: | suppliers manufacturers private clients colleagues retailers the public |
Parameters may include: | scope of brief approval to make changes effect or feel trying to be achieved functionality (short and long term) budget restrictions established timelines |
Resources include: | computers computer software design software computer-aided design (CAD) software colour boards storyboards swatches product based colour systems, such as Munsell or similar colour matching system, such as Pantone Matching System (PMS) journals (directions magazines) artistic equipment and products model making equipment |
Aesthetics include: | the consideration of appeal to a large number of people; products are pleasing to the eye of many who view it |
Styles include: | furniture designers and key figures, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Eames and Antonio Gaudi schools and movements, such as Bauhaus in Germany, Federal style in the United States, and Art Nouveau in Europe periods and styles, such as the neo-classical Adams style, the simple lines of Art Deco, and the asymmetrical style of Rococo to decorative details, such as rosettes, foots, hinges and mouldings |
Furniture requirements include: | kitchens and bathrooms family rooms lounges bedrooms dining rooms rumpus rooms offices reception areas hallways laundries media rooms entertainment rooms |
Tactile includes: | that perceived by the sense of touch and producing the effect of three-dimensional depth |
Properties include: | durability level of fire retardancy fibre make up composition textile use material use finishes quality environmental sustainability ergonomics flammability maintenance requirements wear and tear construction methods |
Materials include: | solid timber (native and imported) manufactured timber products plastic metal alloys stone glass textiles fibreglass foam cardboard paper products any other manipulable substance |
Manufacturing processes include: | the methods by which the product will be produced, these steps require working from working drawings and specifications, producing components utilising machine operations, assembly of the components and finishing techniques |
Environmental impacts include: | how the sourcing and use of materials effects the environment and how its continued use will affect the area the material was sourced from energy consumption in processing the material greenhouse gases created waste levels and resource utilisation what impact will be felt by reducing or stopping use of the material |
Longevity and restorability include: | an analysis of how long the material is expected to maintain its structure and colour, while maintaining quality of aesthetic value and how readily the material can be repaired or replaced |
Anthropometrics include: | the scientific study of the measurements of the human body |
Ergonomics include: | the study of the efficiency of persons in their working environment |
Accessories include: | trinkets ceramics trays vases carvings baskets pots plants candles clocks silverware mirrors frames screens floral displays haberdashery glassware fireplace items gifts hand crafts water features photographs pottery personal items statues book ends bowls bottles |
Drawings include: | hand drawn images or ideation drawings completed freehand drafted technical drawings or drawings produced on computer using CAD software packages (these usually contain project specifications) |
Quality includes: | an inspection system for ensuring that pre-determined quality standards are being met, highlighting non-conformances requiring intervention |
Performance and characteristics include: | assessment of products to determine if they meet the requirements of the intended end use application and how well they do it, and the durability and composition of the product |
Costs include: | the cost of products and materials together with the cost of obtaining them either locally, interstate or overseas |
Quoting includes: | a price for a project taking account of the sizes associated with the project, the cost of materials, labour and overheads |
Information and procedures include: | work instructions, including plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Interior Decoration and Design