Art & Design

• Course Overview
• Assessment & Examination
• Resources
• Prior Knowledge
• Beyond The Course
• Entry Requirements

Course Overview

A Level Art & Design is intended to deepen your understanding of art practice and extend the creative skills developed at GCSE. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of media and will be encouraged to be adventurous in expressing your own thoughts, observations and ideas. Observational drawing is fundamental to art practice and will form the keystone for each project. You will work to set themes and be expected to explore, using a variety of materials, analyse and investigate the work of other artists, craft persons and designers to develop personal final outcomes.

Assessment & Examination

Unit 1 - Personal Investigation (60%) - is a practical unit with written elements in which candidates are expected to develop a personal investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a range of outcomes. Integrated into the project is an illustrated written Personal Investigation, of approximately 1000 to 3000 that explains your development and inspiration.

Unit 2 - External Set Assignment (40%) is a Controlled Test consisting of a range of questions to be used as starting points. Candidates are required to select one question and show evidence of development whilst responding to artists to create a personal outcome.

The Controlled Test is in two parts:

• A preparatory period.
• A timed fifteen hour unaided test.

Assessment objectives for both units are as follows: AO1 Artist Research, AO2 Development and Exploration of Ideas and Media, AO3 Observational studies and AO4 Personal Outcomes.

Resources

Although the College does provide basic art equipment, you will benefit from collecting your own range of art equipment and materials.

Prior Knowledge

As Art and Design A level builds on the skills and knowledge developed at GCSE, a GCSE qualification from an art based subject is preferable.

Beyond The Course

If you would like to pursue a career in the Arts, this course can form the first stepping stone of your career path.

If you wish to take your interest further, we would advise going on to take an Art Foundation.

Entry Requirements

GCSE Level 6 in Art, Graphics or Textiles.

Entry to Sixth Form also requires:

• GCSE Level 5 in English Language or English Literature;
• GCSE Level 5 in Maths;
• Four other GCSEs at Level 5, in addition to English and Maths.