This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to research local and international current and emerging hair fashion trends, develop creative hair designs and complete a range of creative, experimental or innovative (avant-garde) long hair styles. This may involve the addition of hair pieces, other fibres, materials and ornaments to achieve the design. The design could be developed to suit a client’s desired look, around particular clothes or an event theme.

This unit applies to senior hairdressers who work in salons or as session stylists or technical advisors to product companies. They work independently, have considerable specialist skills and knowledge and provide technical leadership, training and support to team members.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

complete a research project, using information from at least three different sources, to identify and explore creative hair designs and:

write a report on current and emerging trends

compile a portfolio of at least six creative hair designs

for each of the six designs complete an analysis and develop a design plan which identifies:

design elements and principles used

structure

techniques used and associated tools

additional materials incorporated

consult with at least four clients and complete an analysis covering the following characteristics to design and recommend appropriate creative long hairstyles:

facial features and bone structure

natural hair type

hair texture

growth patterns

movement

length and structure of haircut

complete creative long hairstyles using each of the types listed below at least once on the above clients:

up

down

combined up and down looks

structured and unstructured looks

incorporate at least four of these elements cumulatively across the suite of hairstyles:

rolls

twists

braids

knots

curls

waves

texture

incorporate each of these elements cumulatively across the suite of hairstyles:

padding

ornamentation

hairpieces made from human or synthetic hair

use at least four of these tools and techniques, cumulatively across the suite of hairstyles:

blow drying using brushes to create curl, wave or volume

blow drying using brushes to straighten or smooth hair

using thermal tools to straighten hair

using thermal tools for curl or texture

applying rollers to set hair

pin curling

use at least four of these finishing techniques, cumulatively across the suite of hairstyles:

brushing

dry moulding

placing

backcombing

smoothing over backcombing

securing hair using bands or pins not visible in finished design

applying fixing products

record the following details of the hair design service for each client in own portfolio:

pre-service analysis

client preferences and adaptions of own designs

outcomes achieved.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

current and emerging trends in long hair design

key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and use in achieving creative finished hairstyle effects which combine different structural looks:

elements of hair design:

line

shape

direction

size

texture

colour

principles of hair design:

balance

gradation

repetition

contrast

harmony

dominance

unity

different facial shapes and long hair designs which best complement particular shapes

characteristics of the following hair features, how these will impact on finished hairstyles involving structural combinations and how creative designs can enhance or accentuate:

natural hair types:

European

Asian

Euro-Asian

African

hair texture:

coarse

medium

fine

hair movement:

straight

wavy

natural curl

chemical curl or waves

haircut structure:

solid form

layered

graduated

combination of structures

natural distribution and growth patterns of hair:

crown area

hairline

neckline

cowlicks (whorls)

shapes and structures for long hairstyles and how these can be combined for creative effect:

up

down

combination of up and down looks

structured and unstructured looks

proportional, symmetrical and asymmetrical

effects of thermal tools on hair condition and structure and ways to maintain the integrity of hair during styling

effects of humidity on finished hairstyles

key features of the organisation’s styling and finishing products range:

product purpose and suitability for different types of hair

action on the hair

application instructions

processing times, if applicable

industry practices and organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety with particular emphasis on:

using gown and towels to protect client clothes

avoiding product contact with eyes

monitoring use of heated tools to avoid client burns

work health and safety for providing hair styling services, with particular emphasis on:

safe use of electrical hair styling equipment

using correct posture and adjusting height of client chair to avoid fatigue and injury

using correct techniques to hold, grip and manipulate styling tools to avoid fatigue and injury

minimising wastage of styling and finishing products

waste disposal with particular emphasis on environmentally sound disposal methods for styling and finishing products and containers.

Skills must be demonstrated in a hairdressing environment; this can be:

a hairdressing industry workplace, or

a simulated hairdressing workplace, set up for the purpose of skills assessment that provides services to paying members of the public, or

industry venues and sites where session events are operated, or

session venues and sites operated within a training organisation such as working salons, auditoria, exhibition areas, conference rooms and restaurants where real session events are staged in live time.

Assessment must ensure use of:

clients with different with different creative hair styling requirements; these can be:

paying clients in a hairdressing industry workplace, or

paying clients in a simulated hairdressing workplace within a training organisation who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business, or

models or performers in a session styling setting

sufficient client traffic to allow for prioritisation of tasks so that clients are serviced effectively in a logical sequence

activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to:

deal with multiple tasks simultaneously

complete client services within designated timeframes that reflect accepted industry practice

a hairdressing services workstation with this equipment and consumables:

one mirror per workstation

one adjustable client services chair per workstation

one blow dryer with heat diffuser per workstation

clean client gowns or wraps

professional styling and finishing products which can be:

gels

glazes

lotions

mousses

setting lotions

sprays

waxes

heat lamps

hair dryers

thermal straightening and curling tools

one operator trolley per workstation stocked with:

combs

brushes:

Denman style

round

vent

sectioning clips

hair rollers of different sizes

pin curl clips

hair bands, hooks and pins to secure hair

padding

hairpieces

ornamentation

product instructions

organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety

work health and safety for hair styling services

waste minimisation

waste disposal.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and:

hold a Certificate IV qualification in Hairdressing, or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies; and

have at least three years full time employment experience as a hairdresser in a salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period.

Hairdressing

Hair Design