Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:13 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:13 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Refine throwing techniques
Refine throwing techniques
Unit of competency
National Code
CUVCER503A
CUVCER503A
State Code
S7634
S7634
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/01/2012
Field of Education
100305 - Crafts
Original Release Date
18/01/2012
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design and produce complex ceramic forms using throwing techniques. Professional thrown work is only produced as a result of substantial time dedicated to working at the wheel. This is a specialisation unit that reflects this reality about ceramics practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Develop ideas for thrown ceramics
- 1.1 Evaluate work opportunities offered by thrown ceramics
- 1.2 Research ideas for thrown work from historical and contemporary references
- 1.3 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements
- 1.4 Refine ideas through play, experimentation and testing
- 1.5 Create designs for thrown forms that meet the needs of the market or design brief
2. Determine and establish safe work conditions for throwing
- 2.1 Investigate safety issues associated with thrown work
- 2.2 Set up work space, materials, tools and equipment for wheel work according to safety requirements
- 2.3 Establish and follow safe work practices
- 2.4 Monitor key safety issues during the production of work
3. Throw, turn and finish ceramic items
- 3.1 Determine suitable throwing methods for different items
- 3.2 Explore and experiment with a broad range of materials, tools and equipment and advanced techniques, to make thrown ceramic forms
- 3.3 Throw individual items and sets to appropriate design requirements in relation to form and function
- 3.4 Define ceramic forms using appropriate assembly finishing techniques
- 3.5 Trim and prepare articles for further decoration
4. Refine throwing technique
- 4.1 Use the wheel with increasing confidence and skill
- 4.2 Develop technique to professional level through application of time and practice
- 4.3 Show command of thrown technique within a coherent body of ceramic work
- 4.4 Identify and resolve technical problems in throwing projects based on developing expertise
- 4.5 Use ongoing experimentation with technique to refine ideas
- 4.6 Develop own ways of working with the throwing process to create individual style
5. Evaluate own thrown work
- 5.1 Evaluate development of own thrown work with others and seek feedback
- 5.2 Identify ways in which technique may be further developed as part of a professional ceramics practice and build ideas into future work
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.
Work opportunities may relate to:
brief for thrown work
commissions from others
competitions
creation of individual items or sets
local demand
retail opportunities
self-generated ideas.
Thrown ceramics may include one-off and related ranges of:
architectural ceramics
decorative wares, including items with lids and handles:
geometric forms: spheres, ovoids, rhomboids and cylinders
open and closed forms
platters and vessels
functional ware, including matching sets and items with lids and handles:
garden ware
kitchenware
tableware
items with handles pulled on and off the form
modular forms
sculptural objects:
abstract and figurative sculpture
non-symmetrical forms
vessel forms.
References may include:
art critics, cultural theorists, philosophers and social commentators
art history texts
exhibitions, museums and galleries
films
images, objects and artworks
internet
journal articles
own experience
performances and presentations
technical or medium-specific information
writings.
Intellectual property requirements may relate to:
copyright laws
design licensing regulations
extent to which the work may be used
form of acknowledgement or credit
moral rights law
procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright
protocols for the adaptation of work by others
trademarks regulations.
Designs may include:
drawings
maquettes.
Safe work practices may include:
completing material safety data sheets (MSDS)
correct disposal of waste materials
dust and fume extraction
ergonomic safety
managing risk
reporting accidents and incidents
use of tools and equipment
using clearly designated wet and dry areas
using personal protective equipment (PPE).
Suitable throwing methods may include:
assembled
off the hump
one piece
thrown and coiled.
Materials, tools and equipment may include:
equipment:
compressor
computer, scanner and printer for design work
extruder
kiln furniture and equipment
kilns: electric, gas, wood and raku
PPE
pottery wheels: electronically controlled, cone driven and kick
pugmill
spray booth and spray gun
materials:
body additives, such as grog, paper pulp, sand and sawdust
commercial ceramic colours
glazes
oxides
range of clay bodies
resist materials, such as wax, latex, shellac and paper
slips and engobes
tools:
banding wheels
brushes, sponges and other decorating tools
measuring devices, including calipers
modelling, cutting and carving tools
throwing log
throwing, turning and trimming tools
tools for applying pattern and texture.
Coherent body of ceramic workis:
conceptually resolved
documented in terms of its development
subject to critical feedback by others
technically resolved
thematically connected.
Technical problemsmay include:
limitations of own technical skill required for:
throwing techniques
glaze application techniques
surface design and decorating techniques
limited availability of space for:
displaying fired results
production of work, including making, assembling and firing
clean, dry and secure storage of work in progress
other limitations, such as:
equipment and machinery breakdown
limited availability of or access to specialist tools and equipment
skills and knowledge required for selected firing processes.
Ways in which technique may be further developedmay include:
collaboration
further study
intensive workshops
mentored guidance
new projects.
Work opportunities may relate to:
brief for thrown work
commissions from others
competitions
creation of individual items or sets
local demand
retail opportunities
self-generated ideas.
Thrown ceramics may include one-off and related ranges of:
architectural ceramics
decorative wares, including items with lids and handles:
geometric forms: spheres, ovoids, rhomboids and cylinders
open and closed forms
platters and vessels
functional ware, including matching sets and items with lids and handles:
garden ware
kitchenware
tableware
items with handles pulled on and off the form
modular forms
sculptural objects:
abstract and figurative sculpture
non-symmetrical forms
vessel forms.
References may include:
art critics, cultural theorists, philosophers and social commentators
art history texts
exhibitions, museums and galleries
films
images, objects and artworks
internet
journal articles
own experience
performances and presentations
technical or medium-specific information
writings.
Intellectual property requirements may relate to:
copyright laws
design licensing regulations
extent to which the work may be used
form of acknowledgement or credit
moral rights law
procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright
protocols for the adaptation of work by others
trademarks regulations.
Designs may include:
drawings
maquettes.
Safe work practices may include:
completing material safety data sheets (MSDS)
correct disposal of waste materials
dust and fume extraction
ergonomic safety
managing risk
reporting accidents and incidents
use of tools and equipment
using clearly designated wet and dry areas
using personal protective equipment (PPE).
Suitable throwing methods may include:
assembled
off the hump
one piece
thrown and coiled.
Materials, tools and equipment may include:
equipment:
compressor
computer, scanner and printer for design work
extruder
kiln furniture and equipment
kilns: electric, gas, wood and raku
PPE
pottery wheels: electronically controlled, cone driven and kick
pugmill
spray booth and spray gun
materials:
body additives, such as grog, paper pulp, sand and sawdust
commercial ceramic colours
glazes
oxides
range of clay bodies
resist materials, such as wax, latex, shellac and paper
slips and engobes
tools:
banding wheels
brushes, sponges and other decorating tools
measuring devices, including calipers
modelling, cutting and carving tools
throwing log
throwing, turning and trimming tools
tools for applying pattern and texture.
Coherent body of ceramic workis:
conceptually resolved
documented in terms of its development
subject to critical feedback by others
technically resolved
thematically connected.
Technical problemsmay include:
limitations of own technical skill required for:
throwing techniques
glaze application techniques
surface design and decorating techniques
limited availability of space for:
displaying fired results
production of work, including making, assembling and firing
clean, dry and secure storage of work in progress
other limitations, such as:
equipment and machinery breakdown
limited availability of or access to specialist tools and equipment
skills and knowledge required for selected firing processes.
Ways in which technique may be further developedmay include:
collaboration
further study
intensive workshops
mentored guidance
new projects.
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:
evolve and refine throwing technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation, problem solving and independent work
produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that demonstrates well-developed throwing technique for the creation of both single works and multiples of related and matching works
research throwing in the context of historical and contemporary ceramics work as a source of ideas for own work
investigate current market trends and opportunities
use safe work practices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a safe ceramics work space
ceramic materials, tools and equipment for thrown work.
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 throwing technique within a body of work produced by the candidate
evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine throwing technique
direct observation of throwing in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques
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 work place 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:
CUVACD510A Manage kiln operations
CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques
CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes
CUVCER505A Develop and apply ceramic glazes
CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
evolve and refine throwing technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation, problem solving and independent work
produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that demonstrates well-developed throwing technique for the creation of both single works and multiples of related and matching works
research throwing in the context of historical and contemporary ceramics work as a source of ideas for own work
investigate current market trends and opportunities
use safe work practices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a safe ceramics work space
ceramic materials, tools and equipment for thrown work.
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 throwing technique within a body of work produced by the candidate
evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine throwing technique
direct observation of throwing in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques
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 work place 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:
CUVACD510A Manage kiln operations
CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques
CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes
CUVCER505A Develop and apply ceramic glazes
CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWJ61 | CUACER503 | Refine throwing techniques | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D662 | CUV50211 | Diploma of Ceramics | Qualification |
| D665 | CUV60211 | Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts | Qualification |
| D657 | CUV50111 | Diploma of Visual Arts | Qualification |