Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use an authoring tool to produce discrete interactive sequences.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

People responsible for developing small components to be integrated into a larger project apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They could be working under the direction of an interactive author or programmer to produce several web pages, or a sequence of screens for other forms of delivery.

They need to draw on technical assistance from a programmer or other technical support personnel to produce sequences for server side technologies.

In all cases, they are collaborating with other members of a team and need a sound understanding of the project on which they are working.

More complex skills associated with authoring are covered in:

• CUFDIG401A Author interactive media
• CUFDIG404A Apply scripting language in authoring.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Plan use of authoring tool

1. Identify a range of appropriate authoring software 

2. Discuss with relevant personnel  the range of authoring software and their application to various delivery platforms 

3. Discuss with relevant personnel design specifications  of the project 

4. Discuss with relevant personnel technical requirements of the project in order to select authoring software

Prepare to use authoring tool

5. Load selected authoring software

6. Create a new file for the specified task and name file using standard naming conventions

7. Display and use tools and features of authoring software relevant to the authoring process

Produce interactive sequences

8. Produce screens and layout according to design specifications applying basic visual design principles 

9. Create interactive media components  as required

10. Source text content and apply style sheets to format text

11. Source relevant media assets , optimise if required and integrate using appropriate file formats 

12. Produce and link all components according to storyboard and apply templates or themes

13. Manipulate markup code where errors are occurring or to finetune functionality

14. Save in appropriate file format to directory

Check functionality of interactive sequence

15. Check that interactive elements function with minimal error on a variety of systems

16. Present sequence to relevant personnel

17. Incorporate changes as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

• interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions and design specifications
• interpret and apply information in user manuals for software applications

• ability to work as a member of a production team - both independently on assignment and under direction
• technical skills sufficient to:

• use appropriate authoring software to proficiently author the sequences applying style sheets, templates or themes
• integrate media assets for specific bandwidths
• manage files and create appropriate directories
• efficiently use a computer, including keyboard shortcuts

• self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

• prioritise work tasks
• meet deadlines
• seek expert assistance when problems arise

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. designers, content creators, information architects, programmers and coders
• basic understanding of the relationship between technical and creative aspects and requirements of interactive media projects
• basic knowledge of the features of a range of delivery platforms
• file formats of digital media assets and basic optimisation techniques
• HTML
• W3C Accessibility standards relevant to text and images

• basic visual design principles as listed in the range statement
• OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

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:

• development of several discrete interactive media sequences that function as planned and demonstrate an understanding of basic visual design principles
• accuracy and attention to detail in the process of developing interactive media sequences.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access toa range of resources, equipment and current industry-standard software, as listed in the range statement
• 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 interactive sequences authored by the candidate
• written or oral questioning to test knowledge of file formats and delivery platforms.

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.

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.

Authoring software  may include:

• Director
• Dreamweaver
• Flash
• FrontPage
• PageMill.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• designer
• graphic designer
• information architect
• interaction designer
• programmer
• supervisor
• trainer
• user interface designer
• other specialist staff.

Delivery platforms  may include:

• CD
• DVD
• internet
• kiosk
• mobile phone
• personal digital assistant (PDA)
• other wireless/mobile devices.

Design specifications  may include:

• content inventory
• interactive script
• personas
• storyboard
• target audience
• technical requirements, such as:

• delivery platform
• screen resolution and size
• templates, style sheets and themes
• bandwidth information

• user interface design.

Projects  may include:

• production of interactive sequences to be incorporated in a:

• game
• educational product
• promotional product
• information product
• training product
• e-commerce.

Visual design principles  may include:

• balance
• emphasis
• focal point
• movement
• perspective
• proportion
• scale
• unity.

Interactive media components  may include:

• backgrounds
• banners
• icons
• interactive buttons
• interactive controls
• logos
• text
• titles
• user interfaces.

Media assets  may include:

• animation
• audio
• documents, such as PDF, Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• graphics
• photo images
• text
• video.

File formats  may include:

• DIR/DCR
• FLA/SWF
• GIF
• HTML
• JPEG
• MOV
• MPEG
• PDF
• PICT
• RTF
• TIFF
• WMV.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - digital content and imaging

Co-requisite units