Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:04 AM AWST

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Research and apply techniques for the design of products

Research and apply techniques for the design of products

Unit of competency
National Code
CUVDSP14B
State Code
D1704
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
20/08/2012
Field of Education
100501 - Graphic Arts And Design Studies
Original Release Date
20/08/2012
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and apply techniques for the design of products. The nature of the products may vary greatly. As this unit is an introductory one, the outcome of the work could be a completed product, but is more likely to be a prototype or model for the product or an aspect of the product. The focus of the unit is on a general knowledge of the design techniques for products and the practical application of those techniques. This is a specialisation unit and refers to a specific design form. This work requires some guidance.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Interpret the brief for the design of a product.
  • 1.1 Correctly interpret the specifications of the brief.1.2 Determine the user or client for the proposed product to inform design decisions.1.3 Clarify specifications, parameters or constraints of the brief in consultation with relevant colleagues.1.4 Source and evaluate information pertinent to the brief.
2 Organise resources for product design.
  • 2.1 Correctly identify the resources required for the design of the product, including work space, materials, tools and equipment.2.2 Prepare and care for resources in accordance with safety requirements and organisational requirements.2.3 Follow storage and inventory procedures in accordance with organisational procedures.
3 Test design approaches for products.
  • 3.1 Produce a preliminary visual representation of the brief.3.2 Identify possible approaches to the design and establish criteria for the selection of the final approach.3.3 Select appropriate materials, tools and equipment for the testing of approaches and techniques.3.4 Test and experiment with a range of techniques and materials which might meet the requirements of the brief.3.5 Evaluate testing processes against selection criteria and select the preferred approach based on the requirements of the brief.3.6 Refine and accurately document the design approach based on testing processes.
4 Make the product, prototype or model.
  • 4.1 Evaluate the need for product fabrication and the scope of work required.4.2 Select and organise materials, tools and equipment for fabrication in accordance with the design approach.4.3 Safely make the product, prototype or sample ensuring consistency with the selected approach and the brief.4.4 Present the designed product, prototype or model in accordance with the brief specifications.
describes and specifies the work to be completed
is prepared by commissioning body or organisation, e.g. supervisor, client, community organisation
may be written, diagrammatic, visual, verbal.

The
architectural fixtures and fittings
furnishings
furniture
hardware
household, garden products
kitchenware
tableware
toys.

audience
medium
purpose
style.

budgeting and financing requirements
conditions of use of the product
cost of production
number of items
setting
time frames.

design standards
health and safety
industry standards
legal, contractual, ethical and copyright considerations
material characteristics and capabilities
stylistic considerations
technological considerations.

dry areas
dust extraction
lighting
process specific space needs
ventilation
wet areas.

clay, glass, plaster, sand, stone
fabric, fibre, spun fibre,
leather
metal, sheet metal, wire, nails, screws
paints, inks, binders, extenders, stains, lacquers, resins, glazes, oxides
paper, cardboard, pulp
plastics, latex, acrylic, rubber
wood and wood based products.

brushes
ceramics equipment
computer and software.
hand printing equipment and digital printers
hand tools
kiln and kiln furniture
loom, needles, hooks, bobbins, pins
measuring tools
moulds and casting equipment
power tools
receptacles
sewing machine
soldering iron, smithing equipment, welding equipment
spatulas

Federal, State and Territory legislation, regulation and standards.

computer-aided drawing
mock-up
sketching
technical drawing.

access to materials, tools and equipment required for the making of the product
access to specialist fabricators
consistency with the brief for the product
ease of manufacture
personal affinity with medium and materials.

The
aesthetic and stylistic considerations
choice of medium and materials
design solutions
the parameters of the brief.

binding, fusing
carpentry, cabinet making
casting, moulding
ceramics and glass forming
digital imaging
leather work
metal work, smithing
printing, photography
sewing, knotting, weaving.

exploring techniques by making practice pieces, test pieces, mock-ups or samples
testing materials by applying stress tests, colour tests.

adjustment to design considerations
adjustment to design solution
adjustment to utilise the capabilities of the techniques
no change.

final drawings, plans,
illustrations, photographs
material samples
models
specifications for fabrication
written rationale or description.

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

testing and use of a range of approaches and techniques for the design of a product which are suited to the requirements of the brief
knowledge of the processes and techniques used for the design of products.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the design of a product to meet a brief.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

evaluation of items designed by the candidate
questioning and discussion
review of visual documentation for the product
review of portfolios of evidence
third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.
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
Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials, resources and equipment needed to design and make products.

It is highly recommended that this unit be assessed in conjunction with or after the following units:

CUVDES05B Interpret and respond to a brief
Core Design Units
At least one of the drawing units relating to the representation of the concept.
This unit also has strong linkages to units within a range of other manufacturing-related Training Packages, e.g. Furniture and combined assessment and/or training with those units would also be appropriate.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6500 CUVDSP14A Research and apply techniques for the design of products Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
S7638 CUVDES404A Research and apply techniques in product design Unit of competency