Art & Design

The art departmental aim is to work towards providing an environment which nurtures and actively encourages creativity and talent.

Practical work develops through an ethos of praise and constructive dialogue between student and teacher. Students are exposed to a wide range of media and techniques and develop their appreciation of art through the generation of their own work and through the opportunity to see inspirational artworks by artists and designers.

Senior School Art

National 4/5

Component 1: question paper 50 marks- 1 hour and 30 minutes
Component 2: expressive portfolio 100 marks
Component 3: design portfolio 100 marks

In the course, candidates draw upon their understanding of artists’ and designers’ work and practice. They follow art and design processes to develop their own creative work. They also reflect on and evaluate their creative processes and the qualities of their expressive and design portfolios. The course comprises two areas of study:

Expressive

This part of the course helps candidates plan, research and develop creative expressive work in response to a theme/stimulus. Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of artists’ working practices and the social, cultural and other influences affecting their work and practice. They select a theme/stimulus and produce 2D/3D analytical drawings, studies and investigative research, and use this to produce a single line of development leading to a final piece. Candidates reflect on and evaluate their creative process and the visual qualities of their work.

Design

This part of the course helps candidates plan, research and develop creative design work in response to a design brief. Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of designers’ working practices and the social, cultural and other influences affecting their work and practice. They select a design brief and compile a variety of 2D/3D investigative material and market research, and use this to produce a single line of development leading to a design solution. Candidates reflect on and evaluate their creative process and the aesthetic and functional qualities of their work.

Question paper

The question paper assesses the candidate’s ability to:

• respond to unseen prompts and images
• demonstrate knowledge of the work of significant artists and designers from any time period
• comment on the work of artists and designers
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of social, cultural and/or other influences on artists’ and designers’ work and practice
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of expressive art and design elements, using appropriate art and design vocabulary

The external influences on artists’ and designers’ work are wide-ranging. The term ‘social and cultural influences’ can be interpreted widely, and includes (but is not limited to):

• living conditions, including economic conditions
• influence of family and community
• influence of other artists/art movements
• exposure to different cultures
• physical environment/geography
• new and emerging technology

Higher Course

Component 1: question paper 60 marks- Exam duration 2 hours.
Component 2: Expressive portfolio 100 marks
Component 3: Design portfolio 100 marks

The course has two areas of study:

Expressive

This part of the course helps candidates to plan, research and develop creative expressive work in response to a theme or stimulus. Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of artists’ working practices and the social, cultural and other influences affecting their work and practice. They respond to a theme or stimulus and produce 2D/3D analytical drawings, studies and investigative research. They use these to produce a single line of development and a final piece. Candidates also reflect on and evaluate their creative process and the visual qualities of their work.

Design

This part of the course helps candidates to plan, research and develop creative design work in response to a design brief. Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of designers’ working practices and the social, cultural and other influences affecting their work and practice. They respond to a design brief and compile a variety of 2D/3D investigative material and market research. They use these to produce a single line of development and a design solution. Candidates also reflect on and evaluate their design process and the aesthetic and functional qualities of their work.

Question paper

The question paper assesses candidates’ ability to:

• respond to unseen prompts and images
• demonstrate knowledge of works by significant artists and designers
• demonstrate knowledge & understanding of two art and two design areas
• analyse & explain how artists and designers use materials, techniques and/or technology in their work
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of visual and design elements using appropriate art and design terminology
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of social, cultural, and/or other influences.

The term ‘social and cultural influences’ may be interpreted broadly, and includes (but is not limited to):

• living conditions, including economic conditions
• social and cultural expectations
• influence of family and community
• influence of other artists/art movements
• exposure to different cultures
• physical environment and geography
• new and emerging technology
• politics
• gender
• religion and belief
• national and world events
• developments in other fields, for example science, literature
• personal circumstances
• health and wellbeing