Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:30 PM AWST

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Design animation and digital visual effects

Design animation and digital visual effects

Unit of competency
National Code
CUFANM503A
State Code
D1072
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/04/2008
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/09/2014
Field of Education
020115 - Computer Graphics
Original Release Date
10/09/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design animation and digital visual effects for screen productions.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Clarify design requirements
  • 1. With reference to production documentation identify the scope of design projects
  • 2. Identify factors that may have an impact on the design process
  • 3. Participate in preliminary concept meetings to clarify understanding of design requirements
  • 4. With reference to production documentation, itemise elements that need to be addressed during the design phase
Generate and assess ideas
  • 5. Generate a range of design ideas that respond sympathetically to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues
  • 6. Assess ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to maximise contribution of ideas to initial concepts
  • 7. Continuously reflect on and appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility, and creative requirements
Conduct research and experimentation
  • 8. Research aspects of content and target audience characteristics that might influence production styles and techniques
  • 9. Trial various techniques to test the suitability of their use in given design projects
  • 10. Organise research and experimentation material for ease of access by relevant personnel during the design development process
  • 11. Analyse and document research and experimentation findings for use during the design phase
Produce draft design specifications
  • 12. In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate initial concept ideas in light of research and experimentation findings and select the most appropriate approach
  • 13. Ensure that agreement is reached with relevant personnel on a consistent interpretation of design and visual details
  • 14. Create storyboards as required
  • 15. Prepare or supervise the preparation of sample material to be included in design specifications as required
  • 16. Write draft design specifications to include relevant advice to design and development teams
  • 17. Discuss draft design specifications with relevant personnel to ensure that all requirements have been addressed
Finalise design specifications
  • 18. Present draft design specifications to relevant personnel for review
  • 19. Participate in the initial and ongoing evaluation of design specifications
  • 20. Negotiate and agree to additions or modifications and amend design specifications as required
  • 21. Clarify the ongoing role of the designer during the production phase and in the evaluation of the final animations or digital visual effects
  • 22. Review process of designing animation and digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement
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.
Production documentation may include:
animatics
brief
script
shot list
storyboard
technical specifications.
Design projects may include
animation and/or digital visual effects for:
films
television productions
commercials/advertisements
games
e-learning resources
websites
mobile phones
promotional/informational videos/DVDs
digital simulations
virtual worlds.
Factors may include:
audience/user
availability of personnel
availability of resources
available budget
complexity of project
expectations of producers and/or directors
intellectual property
need to attract finance
production schedule
production values
technical parameters, including:
technology constraints
console
platform
bandwidth
memory/RAM
HDTV
timelines.
Relevant personnel may include:
animators
clients.
compositors
designers
director
director of photography
head of department
producer
supervisor
technical director
writers
other technical/specialist personnel.
Research may include:
contacting historical or other special interest associations
reading newspapers books and other reference material
reading software manuals
searching the internet
talking and listening to experts
watching documentary material.
Aspects of content may include:
cultural considerations
historical period
style of production:
comic
dramatic
fantasy
educational/instructive
informational
promotional.
Target audience characteristics may include:
computer literacy
demographics, e.g.:
age
gender
education
occupation
location
cultural background
hobbies
interests
internet literacy
language, literacy and numeracy
personas
specific needs - physical or psychological.
Techniques may include:
2D animation
2D graphics and paint
3D models and animation
compositing.
Design specifications may include:
content inventory
diagrams
flow charts
illustrations
maps
models
plans
resource issues
sample animation elements
sketches
storyboards
technical drawings
technical specifications
video clips
wire frames.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 following is essential:
design specifications for animation and digital visual effects that:
are well documented and clearly presented
supported by appropriate research
meet production requirements
ability to work effectively as a member of a production team
effective verbal presentation skills.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through the design of animation and digital visual effects for at least two projects
access to project briefs on which designs can be based
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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 questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
evaluation of designs for animation and visual effects documented by the candidate and their effectiveness in terms of meeting production requirements
observation of a candidate presenting their designs to team members and explaining how it meets requirements.

Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBDES601A Manage design realisation
BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWJ97 CUAANM503 Design animation and digital visual effects Unit of competency