Application
This unit of competency covers researching and recommending soft furnishings for various decoration and design solutions to meet client and project brief requirements in order to achieve integrated decoration and design solutions.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | |||
1 | Assess soft furnishing requirements for the project | 1.1 | Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to researching and recommending soft furnishings are verified and complied with | |
1.2 | Project brief is reviewed to determine desired effects for interior space | |||
1.3 | Parameters for the project are assessed and confirmed | |||
1.4 | Resources are selected appropriate to work requirements and checked for operational effectiveness | |||
1.5 | Communication with others is established and maintained | |||
2 | Research materials for soft furnishings | 2.1 | Aesthetic, visual characteristics and colour requirements of the soft furnishings are assessed | |
2.2 | Intended applications for the soft furnishings are analysed and reviewed | |||
2.3 | New soft furnishing and material technologies are researched and assessed against the project brief | |||
2.4 | Tactile requirements of the soft furnishings in relation to the design are researched | |||
2.5 | Properties of the materials used in the production of soft furnishings are analysed and evaluated | |||
2.6 | Manufacturing processes and available expertise for the materials are assessed | |||
2.7 | Costs and availability of materials are assessed and compared | |||
2.8 | Environmental impact and benefits of materials are assessed | |||
2.9 | Durability, restorability and maintenance care quality of materials are researched and requirements for residential and industrial applications examined | |||
3 | Research and recommend decorative treatments for windows and openings | 3.1 | Range of window treatments, their application and fixing technologies are researched | |
3.2 | New technologies in window treatments are researched and relevance for decorative project identified | |||
3.3 | The features, limitations and environmental impact of window treatments are identified | |||
3.4 | The types of openings and their requirements are identified and a range of possible creative solutions determined | |||
3.5 | Window or opening is measured and details recorded accurately for a range of window treatments | |||
3.6 | Fabric requirements are calculated and manufacturing requirements determined for a range of window treatments taking into consideration pattern repeats | |||
3.7 | Window treatment is selected and specified to meet client requirements and minimise environmental impact | |||
3.8 | Fixing technology is specified appropriate to selected window treatment | |||
3.9 | Cost estimates are calculated and assessed against project budget | |||
4 | Research and recommend soft floor coverings | 4.1 | Range of floor coverings, their application and installation requirements are researched | |
4.2 | The features, limitations and environmental impact of floor coverings are identified | |||
4.3 | Floor area is measured and details recorded accurately for flooring solution | |||
4.4 | Flooring solution is selected and details specified to meet client requirements | |||
4.5 | Cost estimates are calculated and assessed against project budget | |||
5 | Document and present decorative recommendations | 5.1 | Soft furnishings are selected to achieve parameters of design brief | |
5.2 | Specifications are documented for all soft furnishing recommendations | |||
5.3 | Schedule is presented to support decorative solution | |||
5.4 | Sample board is created to enhance and support the decorative intention | |||
5.5 | Feedback and follow up is instigated and maintained with the client | |||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work orders and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
Research soft furnishings to assist with informing the decoration process and arrive at a solution which meets client requirements and effectively apply design elements and principles to the recommendation of soft furnishings for a minimum of two (2) integrated decorative solutions
Correctly calculate quantities and costing required to achieve decorative solutions
Visually present decorative ideas
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area/volume and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, presentation of design/colour concepts, the reporting of work outcomes and problems
Initiate new ideas and work techniques
Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for researching and recommending soft furnishings
Elements and principles of design, including liveability and accessibility
Creativity and artistic relevance
Ergonomics, anthropometrics, proxemics and aesthetic values
Types of equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
Characteristics of materials, products and defects
Relevant computer programs
Soft material types and textiles
Design themes and design development
Colours, furnishings and decoration options
Sketching and drawing techniques
Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement
Environmental protection requirements
Established communication channels and protocols
Relevant problem-solving techniques
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to materials, equipment and specifications relevant to researching and recommending soft furnishings.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures, Liveable and Accessible Housing Design guidelines, and organisation insurance requirements work requires individual to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem solving, plus self-management and learning skills |
Project brief includes: | client needs and objectives client aims and objectives, and criteria for evaluation milestones organisational or personal profiles and aims image requirements and function target market budget timelines consultation requirements colour requirements |
Clients include: | suppliers manufacturers private clients colleagues retailers the public |
Parameters include: | scope of brief approval to make changes effect or feel trying to be achieved functionality (short and long term) budget restrictions established timelines |
Resources include: | computers computer software design software computer-aided design (CAD) software colour boards storyboards swatches product based colour systems, such as Munsell or similar colour matching system, such as Pantone Matching System (PMS) journals (directions magazines) artistic equipment and products model making equipment |
Aesthetics include: | the consideration of appeal to a large number of people; products are pleasing to the eye of many who view it |
Colours include: | colour principles psychology fundamentals coordination perception contrast harmony effects on space formulas colour wheels |
Soft furnishings include: | window treatments blinds awnings trimmings bedding treatments lampshades carpet rugs cushions upholstery accessories |
Tactile includes: | that perceived by the sense of touch and producing the effect of three-dimensional depth |
Properties include: | durability level of fire retardancy fibre make up composition textile use quality environmental sustainability level of insulation level of light control useable width of fabric |
Manufacturing processes include: | the methods by which the product will be produced, these steps requires working from working drawings and specifications, producing components utilising machine operations, assembly of the components and finishing techniques |
Materials include: | fabrics and textiles, including sisal, coir and plant-based products natural flooring wool cotton polyester silk nylon blends |
Environmental impacts include: | how the sourcing and use of materials effects the environment and how its continued use will affect the area the material was sourced from energy consumption in processing the material greenhouse gases created waste levels and resource utilisation what impact will be felt by reducing or stopping use of the material when applied to window fittings, environmental impact includes: the amount of natural light made available from decorative solution in order to reduce requirements for powered light sources |
Durability and restorability include: | an analysis of how long the material is expected to maintain its structure and colour, while maintaining quality of aesthetic value and how readily the material can be repaired or replaced |
Window treatments include: | curtains blinds awnings |
Pattern repeats include: | textiles or fabrics with a distinctive print and how often that pattern repeats within the applicable square metreage required for a project so as to meet conformity |
Floor coverings include: | carpets rugs |
Cost include: | the cost of products and materials together with the cost of obtaining them either locally, interstate or overseas |
Information and procedures include: | work instructions, including plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Interior Decoration and Design