Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:53 PM AWST

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Use typography techniques

Use typography techniques

Unit of competency
National Code
CUVGRD302A
State Code
S7662
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
12/10/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/08/2012
Field of Education
100501 - Graphic Arts And Design Studies
Original Release Date
09/08/2012
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use typography techniques in design work. It includes a general knowledge of typography and its application to different design briefs.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to undertake typographic work
  • 1.1 With reference to briefing documentation, clarify design requirements for typographic work in consultation with relevant personnel
  • 1.2 Source reference material on typography pertinent to the brief
  • 1.3 Confirm equipment, materials and work space requirements
  • 1.4 Take account of the requirements for different publication processes when planning work
  • 1.5 Set up work space and equipment with due regard to safety considerations and organisational procedures
2. Test and explore a range of typographical techniques
  • 2.1 Identify possible approaches to typography design and establish criteria for the selection of a final approach
  • 2.2 Select appropriate materials, tools and equipment for the testing of approaches and techniques
  • 2.3 Trial typography techniques that may meet the requirements of the brief
  • 2.4 Evaluate trialling against criteria and select the preferred design approach
3. Complete typographic work
  • 3.1 Develop the typographic work ensuring consistency with the selected approach and the brief
  • 3.2 Review work in progress against project objectives and specifications
  • 3.3 Seek and use feedback on work in progress to make adjustments to typographic work as required
4. Ensure quality of typographic output
  • 4.1 Check that typography meets the requirements of the brief, including grammar and technical production and/or printing requirements
  • 4.2 Finalise operations in line with organisational procedures
  • 4.3 Present completed work within agreed time and quality parameters
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.

Briefing documentation may contain information, such as:
aesthetic considerations
background information about clients
clients’ needs
constraints:
budget
end use for typographical work
timeframe
availability of support services
copy
creative and design objectives
details of type fonts required
legal, contractual, ethical and copyright considerations
equipment
materials
medium
personnel involved in the project
purpose of or audience for final product
relevant statutory requirements
scope for making adjustments
technical objectives
technology
timeframe.
Typographic work may be generated by manual or electronic means and can be targeted towards:
advertising or promotion for large or small scale projects, such as:
banners
billboards
brochures
identity and branding
labelling
packaging
publishing
websites.
Relevant personnel may include:
art department
client
creative director
designer
director
manager
mentor
other technical or specialist personnel
producer
production manager
project manager
representative of organisation commissioning the work
supervisor
technical director.
Reference material may include:
functions, practice and use of typeface in historical and contemporary contexts
information on the main typefaces
legal, ethical contractual and copyright considerations
market analysis and strategies
moral issues
new technology
role of text (copy) in visual communication.
Equipment may include:
brushes
calligraphy pens
CDs
computer
discs
DVDs
printer
scanner
software.
Materials may include:
a range of:
papers
board
plastics
textiles
drawing materials, such as:
pencils
pens
inks.
Work space requirements may include:
consideration of OHS issues, including:
ergonomics
lighting
ventilation
process space specific needs, such as:
equipment
materials
tools
wet and dry areas.
Publication processes may include:
any hard copy printing process
electronic platforms, such as:
CD
DVD
games console
internet
kiosk
mobile phone
other video playback devices
personal digital assistant (PDA)
video players (iPods).
Criteria may include:
access to materials, tools and equipment required for typographic work
choice of typography that is consistent with specifications in the brief
ease of production or outputting
personal affinity with materials, tools and equipment.
Techniques may include:
applying colour for specific effects
applying variations to the display of typeface, such as:
bold
captions
headlines
scale
titles
applying variations to the properties of a given typeface
composing type with overlays and tints
kerning
positioning typeface and images
serif or sans serif
size
slope
techniques that accentuate the message, such as:
font size and position
font type
use of images
use of white space
weight
use of typesetting technology.
Organisational procedures may relate to:
completing routine workplace documentation
cost control
making backup copies of files
managing typographic work to facilitate effective storage, retrieval and output by manual or digital means
process-specific procedures
recycling
removing debris
replacing protective covers and lids
reporting
safety
use of materials
washing and drying tools.
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:
apply typography in line with design concepts and briefs
produce typography that can be reproduced and transferred across design and pre-press sectors.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a range of products that require the application of typographic techniques
computers and industry-standard software.
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:
evaluation of typography work produced by the candidate in response to particular brief
questioning and discussion about 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:
CUFDIG304A Create visual design components
CUVGRD301A Prepare files for publication.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D1692 CUVCRS05B Use typography techniques for design work Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWI97 CUAGRD302 Use typography techniques Unit of competency