Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to analyse influences on textile design and production.

Application of the Unit 

The unit applies to the research and analysis of historical and contemporary influences on textile designs and products including principles and elements of design.

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 communication skills to access and interpret information relating to textile design. Problem solving and initiative and enterprise will be used to analyse information and assess relevancy for current and future textile products. Planning and organising will be required to source and manage information. Learning skills will be applied to source and analyse information.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Analyse key influences on textile designs

1.1 Significant historical events  that have influenced textile design are identified and their effects analysed

1.2 Significant cultural influences  on the development of textile design are identified and their effects analysed

1.3 Contemporary influences  on textile design are analysed

1.4 Characteristics  represented in textiles are identified.

1.5 Changes to production processes, including the effects of new and emerging technologies on textile designs are analysed.

2 Identify feature of the design process

2.1 Steps in responding to a design brief are identified.

2.2 Commercial considerations in producing a design are identified.

2.3 Elements of design are identified.

2.4 Principles of design are identified.

3 Source information on textile designs and products

3.1 Possible sources  of information on textile designs and products are identified and means of accessing information determined

3.2 Information gathering tools  are used according to OHS practices 

3.3 Information is assessed for reliability to inform design processes

4 Analyse textile construction techniques

4.1 Purpose  and key features of textile product are identified

4.2 Desired effects of design features are described.

4.3 Production techniques applied to create design features are described.

4.4 Use of production techniques in contemporary designs is identified.

5 Identify characteristics of colour and prepare colour chart

5.1 Colour is investigated and dimensions  are identified.

5.2 Relationship between value and intensity is identified and a colour chart is painted.

5.3 Colour wheel is prepared according to colour mixing principles.

5.4 Shade scale is prepared according to colour mixing principles.

5.5 Colour matching  for production is implemented.

5.6 Colour charts are inspected or checked against quality standards.

5.7 Any changes or adjustments are carried out as required.

5.8 Documentation relating to colour charts is completed.

6 Analyse influences on future directions in textiles

6.1 New or emerging textiles are identified and features, benefits and likely uses examined

6.2 Trends and influences are analysed to identify possible changes in textile production and demand

6.3 Sources of information relating to future directions and innovations in textile design are identified and accessed to maintain currency of industry knowledge

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• style features
• information sources on textiles
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• quality practices
• workplace practices
• recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

• access computer based information resources
• read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• analyse information
• 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 key influences in textile design
• identify the principles and elements of design
• gather information using a range of sources, tools and technology
• analyse and evaluate information
• analyse influences on textile production techniques
• relate findings to future directions in textile design

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 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.

Historical events may include

• wars
• social change
• technological developments, e.g. industrial revolution,
• changes in global manufacturing, design and trade.

Cultural influences may include

• weaving of the Pueblo Indians
• African textiles
• Indonesian textiles - Batik, Ikat
• tapestries from Scandinavia
• medieval textiles
• Indian Textiles - block printing, tie-dying

Contemporary influences may include

• invention of new technologies
• innovations in design and production
• contemporary art movements
• fashion trends
• personal influences such as career development, early influences
• the supply and availability of raw materials
• economic factors related to industry
• climate
• image of certain textiles
• trend patterns of different textiles

Characteristics may include

• gender
• nationality
• religious status or affiliation
• political status or affiliation
• social or economic status
• personal achievements
• lineage

Design process

The design process for this unit comprises an awareness level understanding of the process to respond to a work brief, including researching sources of information, creating art and design work including prototypes and first drafts, and using design tools such as illustrations, software programs, modelling materials, etc. It also includes an awareness of commercial concepts such as:

• type of production
• costs
• timing
• equipment - available and needed
• marketing and sales
• availability of raw materials and required resources

Elements of design may include

• line
• shape and silhouette
• colour
• texture
• value

Principles of design may include

• repetition
• pattern
• gradation
• rhythm
• radiation
• harmony
• contrast
• dominance
• proportion
• balance
• unity

Sources may include

• library
• Internet
• journals and periodicals
• books
• reference manuals
• television shows
• documentaries
• museums
• galleries
• workshops or studios
• textile producers
• yarn suppliers
• industry councils or bodies
• other industry professionals

Tools may include

• audio visual equipment
• computer (and Internet)
• telephone
• fax machine

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

Purpose may include

• artistic or creative
• decorative
• cultural
• environmental
• functional

Dimensions of colour include

• value and tone
• hue
• chroma, intensity and clarity

Colour matching involves

• selecting the correct linings, buttons, zips and thread to exactly match the garment

Sector 

Textile Design and Development