CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design

Develop and extend design skills and practice

CUADES413

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and extend skills as a practising designer. It involves obtaining and developing conceptual and technical skills, developing an individual style in these skills and evaluating the use of these skills in own work tasks. Designers must continually refine, develop and evaluate their own conceptual and technical skills. Research, experimentation and collaboration are key factors in this process.

The unit applies to those who work as a designer, in any industry context, either independently or employed by an organisation.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, analyse and apply knowledge of the communications industry. This includes the marketing communications industries.

The unit applies to individuals in entry-level positions who have a general knowledge of the structure, organisation and function of the communications industry. Individuals in this role may have a limited leadership and guidance responsibility to others.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to facilitate and apply communication strategies in the workplace within any industry.

This unit has a specific focus on the communication skills required for supervisor level workers with responsibility for other workers.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams and individuals by modelling high standards of conduct to reflect the organisation’s standards and values.

The unit applies to individuals who are making the transition from being a team member to taking responsibility for the work and performance of others and providing the first level of leadership within the organisation. These leaders have a strong influence on the work culture, values and ethics of the teams they supervise.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake a minor project or a section of a larger project. It covers developing a project plan, administering and monitoring the project, finalising the project and reviewing the project to identify lessons learned for application to future projects.

The unit applies to individuals who play a significant role in ensuring a project meets timelines, quality standards, budgetary limits and other requirements set for the project.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research visual communication history and theory and to apply that research to own professional practice.

It applies to individuals who are visual communication professionals. They carry out research independently and use information to provide context, inspiration and reference for contemporary design solutions.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to articulate, present and debate ideas in a work or broader life context using creative techniques in order to provoke response, reaction and critical discussion.

The unit applies to individuals who contribute and present ideas that may be complex in nature and may relate to new products, services, processes or creative works. These individuals are required to communicate ideas persuasively.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced-level critical thinking skills in a workplace context. This includes using methods of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

The unit applies to individuals who evaluate existing or proposed work practices. These individuals are typically responsible for reviewing or developing work processes, products or services that may be proposed or already existing.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use drawing and other visual representation tools to develop, refine and communicate ideas for creative work. It involves evaluating the role of drawing in communicating ideas, experimenting with drawing and visual representations and developing an individual approach to the use of drawing. The unit focus is on manual drawing development and refinement, and visual representation as cognitive tools in a professional practice, rather than a particular level of drawing technique.

The unit applies to professional practitioners working in any area related to visual communication using drawing and other visual representation tools to support their practice.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, develop and maintain effective work relationships and networks through relationship building and negotiation skills required by workers. These workers may be within an organisation as well as freelance or contract workers.

The unit applies to individuals with a broad knowledge of networking and negotiation who contribute to creating solutions to unpredictable problems. They may have responsibility for and provide guidance to others.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an industry focus for graphic design practice and to adapt that practice to meet current and emerging industry opportunities. It involves engaging with professional networks and researching policies and requirements in the graphic design industry.

The unit applies to those who are developing a graphic design practice that responds to different graphic design industry needs.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and comply with legal and risk management requirements of the business or new business venture, including negotiating, creating and planning for legal contracts used within the business, where required.

The unit applies to those establishing a business providing self-employment, as well as those establishing a new venture as part of a larger organisation.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement systems and process that support the personal and professional development of self and others.

The unit applies to individuals working in a range of managerial positions who are accountable for the development and performance of others.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create and manipulate graphics using a combination of creative design skills and technical software proficiency. It involves the analysis, application and refinement of graphic design techniques to meet assigned design objectives.

The unit applies to those working in various industries such as graphic design, commercial printing, advertising, publishing, television and marketing. Individuals work independently and create original graphics or work with graphic objects created by others.

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare, deliver and review presentations for target audiences.

This unit applies to individuals who may be expected to make presentations for a range of purposes, such as marketing, training and promotions. They contribute well developed communication skills in presenting a range of concepts and ideas.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce professional typography for a wide range of communication needs.

Typographic design solutions may include advertisements, headlines, logotypes, signage systems, posters, charts or mass text applications.

It applies to individuals who use a broad range of digital and print applications in many different graphic design industry contexts.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design complex publication layouts by combining creative design skills with technical software proficiency. It involves the design and manipulation of layouts using graphic design software to meet design objectives.

The unit applies to those working in various industry contexts such as graphic design, commercial printing, advertising, publishing, television and marketing. At this level, individuals work independently and are responsible for the overall layout design.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and produce a body of two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) graphic design work in response to a variety of visual communication challenges. Design work will show a well-developed command of relevant software programs and the creative ability to generate ideas to meet the different needs of design briefs.

It applies to individuals who work as graphic designers in a wide variety of industry contexts such as design studios, commercial printing, advertising, book and magazine publishing, television or the marketing division of any business.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use creative, technical and project management skills to produce a professional and innovative presentation of own creative work.

The unit applies to individuals who maintain an up-to-date presentation package or portfolio of creative work. This unit involves the use of digital formatting in the design and delivery of the presentation or portfolio.