Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge to design and produce textile products for commercial production

Application of the Unit 

The unit applies to the analysis of commercial market opportunities and development of design brief leading to development of product design and production of textile product sample.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team-related activities.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

• requirements prescribed by legislation, awards agreements and conditions of employment
• standard operating procedures
• work instructions
• oral, written and visual communication
• quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output
• housekeeping
• tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control, and recycling

This unit requires the application of communications skills associated with conducting market research, developing design brief and specifications, presenting and explaining designs, interpreting production requirements and testing and evaluating design and production processes. Technology is applied during the design and production process when using computer aided design systems and production technologies. Problem solving, initiative and enterprise and planning and organising are central to the design development and production process. Teamwork skills are required to refine design concepts with design team.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Analyse commercial textile markets

1.1 Commercial and design objectives of the client or workplace are identified

1.2 Commercial textile markets are identified and current and emerging product trends and technologies reviewed

1.3 Market research  is conducted to inform development of design directions

1.4 Commercial opportunities for textile designs are investigated and scoping  is conducted

2 Develop design concepts

2.1 Information from market analysis is applied to development of commercial product ideas

2.2 Consultation with design team is undertaken to analyse and refine product ideas and develop a design brief

2.3 Testing of design brief is conducted with appropriate personnel and market research activities.

2.4 Design brief and specifications for product development are confirmed and documented

2.5 Design concepts are developed line with design brief

3 Evaluate commercial production factors

3.1 Scope of commercial production is determined and means  of production researched and evaluated

3.2 Commercial manufacturer or appropriate personnel are consulted to determine production requirements

3.3 Costs  associated with commercial production are estimated and compared

3.4 Commercial production variables are compared and analysed to inform final product design

4 Present textile designs for approval

4.1 Textile product designs are drafted in line with brief and production estimates and documentation is completed

4.2 Designs are presented to appropriate personnel using a range of presentation tools

4.3 Textile designs are reviewed and modifications made accordingly

4.4 Final textile design is accepted and confirmed and relevant documentation is completed

5 Produce textile design sample

5.1 Components and resources required for sample production are obtained and tested

5.2 Technical aspects of production are described

5.3 Specification sheet is completed to guide production.

5.4 Production plan is developed to guide production.

5.5 Textile sample is produced according to plan and OHS practices 

6 Test product sample to evaluate design and production processes

6.1 Textile sample is evaluated against design specifications and design brief.

6.2 Textile sample is tested to ensure quality and performance standards are met

6.3 Design is evaluated to determine necessary modifications.

6.4 Production process is evaluated to determine necessary improvements

6.5 Overall evaluation of design and process is confirmed and process and improvements documented.

7 Finalise textile design

7.1 Evaluation of textile sample design and process is discussed with design team and production personnel

7.2 Modifications to design and production process are incorporated into design

7.3 Final design is confirmed and documented

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• commercial markets for textile production
• market research practices and information sources
• processes in textile design development
• the elements and principles of design
• textile production techniques
• relevant OHS legislation and codes of practice
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• quality practices
• workplace practices
• recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

• undertake market research and analysis
• identify commercial opportunities
• apply principles and elements of design
• communicate and promote design concepts
• produce a textile product sample
• test sample
• evaluate design and production process and make improvements
• document and transfer information
• read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• communicate within the workplace
• sequence operations
• meet specifications
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered 

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• analyse commercial textile markets to identify commercial opportunities
• develop a design brief
• develop and test designs
• communicate with a range of industry experts and personnel
• produce and evaluate textile product sample
• evaluate design and production processes and make modifications
• apply OHS practices in work operations
• maintain accurate records

Consistency in performance 

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail and without damage to goods and equipment

Resource implications 

Access is required to real or appropriately simulated situations, including work areas, materials and equipment, and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Context for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment.

Interdependent assessment 

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Market research may include

• analysis of target market characteristics
• sample testing
• discussions with retailers and suppliers
• discussions with staff and management
• review of media portrayals
• review of fashion shows
• review of current pricing strategies and price points of products

Scoping may include

• identification of:
• target market
• features and benefits
• timing
• economic and social expectations
• scale of production

Means of commercial production may include

• off-shore production
• on-shore production
• large or long runs
• one-off runs

Costs include

• labour
• overheads
• materials
• tooling
• equipment
• yarns
• dyes
• other chemicals or materials

Appropriate personnel may include

• managers, directors
• trainer, mentor
• design team
• production supervisors
• business development staff
• marketing and sales staff
• clients

Presentation tools include

• story boards
• models
• computer aided drawings
• textile or yarn samples

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit and may include:

• manual handling techniques
• standard operating procedures
• personal protective equipment
• safe materials handling
• taking of rest breaks
• ergonomic arrangement of workplaces
• following marked walkways
• safe storage of equipment
• housekeeping
• reporting accidents and incidents
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector 

Textile Design and Development