Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research furniture styles and movements and analyse how they influence design by accessing a range of information sources. It also covers identifying influences on the design of furniture and documenting information for use in future design projects.
This unit applies to individuals working in a manufacturing or design studio environment who analyse and compare product information from a wide range of sources to develop a design solution, either alone or as part of an internal or external team.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Plan research | 1.1 Verify and ensure compliance with relevant legislative, work health and safety and workplace requirements related to researching furniture styles and movement 1.2 Clearly define research objectives and scope based on work needs from design brief 1.3 Evaluate and select formal and informal research methods based on their potential to meet research objective 1.4 Identify and locate relevant and credible sources of information on furniture styles and movements |
2. Gather and analyse information on furniture styles and movements | 2.1 Gather information using a systematic approach 2.2 Establish relevance of information against research objectives 2.3 Compare and contrast different information sources and extract key information 2.4 Identify different influences on furniture styles, movements and features 2.5 Identify significant trends, designers and techniques and their influences on styles and movements 2.6 Apply research information to current furniture design trends, philosophy and surrounding buildings 2.7 Organise and compile research materials and results of research in a manner that facilitates future use and reference |
3. Maintain currency with furniture styles and movements | 3.1 Regularly check research sources and compiled information for usefulness in informing design projects 3.2 Analyse current and emerging cultural, economic and environmental influences on furniture styles and movements for impact and usefulness in future projects 3.3 Identify and pursue opportunities to update and expand knowledge of styles and movements 3.4 Incorporate findings from research into design outcomes based on project needs |
Evidence of Performance
There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:
research and collate or document key aspects of information on all of the following to inform one significant project:
significant influences on furniture styles
individual designers of note
changes in furniture styles, movements and philosophy over time
current and emerging furniture trends that impact design practice.
Evidence of Knowledge
There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:
credible sources of information on furniture styles and movements, and the type of information they can provide
importance of accurate referencing of information sources
types of research techniques, both formal and informal
significant influences on furniture styles and movements, including:
cultural and social
economic
environmental
geographical
individual designers
ways to collate and/or document research information to facilitate future use.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
information technology for research.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.
Reading skills to interpret research information.
Writing skills to communicate research outcomes.
Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Competency Field
History of design