ART & DESIGN (National 3, National 4 & National 5)

What are the aims of this course?

The main purpose of this Course is to provide opportunities for learners to develop their thoughts and ideas before exploring how they can use art and design materials, techniques and/or technology creatively and expressively. They will develop their problem-solving skills and will be encouraged to explore the creative use of technology when developing and producing art and design work.

The Course allows learners develop their practical skills and investigate how artists and designers create and develop their ideas. It also allows learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of art and design practice and develop their critical thinking skills. Reflective skills are also developed through the study of art and design practice which will help to support and inform learners own work.

What will I be learning about in this course?

Pupils will prepare for Nat3/Nat4 /Nat 5 in S3 through a range of design and critical activities. At the end of S3 pupils should have a body of work that will contribute to their units, portfolios and one element of the written exam. They will sit a written exam in S3 to enable us assess whether they will be presented at Nat 4 or Nat 5 in S4. This decision is made during S4 and is based on their effort and application, skill level in practical areas and written ability.

There are three elements to the National 5 course which consist of art and design studies, the production of an expressive portfolio and a design portfolio. There are two elements in the National 3/4 course –the production of a design and an expressive portfolio. National 4 candidates do not sit a written exam.

Pupils will develop their art and design skills over the two years through a range of activities that are tailored to meet their individual needs and the demands of the course. They will also develop life skills such as time management, problem solving, communication and presentation skills. Pupils are expected to be motivated and work hard in class times at all times.  Art and Design is not an ‘easy’ subject or a ‘rest’ from academic subjects and should be chosen by the pupils who enjoy the subject and are committed to working hard.

What skills will I develop?

• Creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and reflective practice skills
• A greater knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse artists and designers as creative practitioners
• Enjoyment in the arts
• Confidence in creative practice and creative self- expression
• Practical skills in using materials, techniques and/or technology
• Problem solving and critical analysis to find solutions to design briefs
• Planning, producing and presenting creative art and design work
• Creativity and imaginative expression
• Experimenting with a variety of art and design materials to refine ideas
• A deeper understanding of external factors influencing artists and designers
• Time-management and research skills
• Producing analytical drawings and investigative studies
• Investigating how artists/designers use materials/techniques and applying this knowledge to his/her practice

What learning and teaching approaches will I experience?

• Active and independent learning including learning intentions and success

criteria; planned critiques and on-going dialogue to discuss choices and monitor

progress, then plan next steps

• A blend of classroom approaches including experiential, practical learning with

Staff facilitating, guiding and supporting learners

• Collaborative learning: discussing, debating and sharing ideas and techniques;
• peer assessment to develop critical analysis skills as well as whole class learning

• Space for personalisation and choice: in both the expressive and the design

units and in the Portfolio, with extensive research options

• Applying learning to practical work with a solution-focused approach
• Embedding literacy skills: researching and presenting information; evaluating;

discussing; listening; talking.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of S4 pupils being presented at National 5 level will sit a written examination in which they will analyse the work of artists and designers they have not seen before, they will also be required to write about the artists and designers they have been studying in school.

National 5 pupils will submit two portfolios for marking to the SQA at the end of S4, one with their design work and one with their expressive.

There is no written exam for National 3/4 candidates. They will produce two portfolios, one with their design work and one with their expressive work, these will be marked in school and moderated by visiting representatives of the SQA.

What are the homework requirements?

The amount of home study is dictated by the individual teacher and the progress of the pupil. Homework is often on-going.

The teacher will give you specific homework tasks which will help you work towards completing your units and portfolio on time. Homework tasks which you could do might include:

• Market research for design
• Research on related artists and designers
• Initial sketch ideas for your design and expressive units
• Line drawings for your expressive portfolio which can be worked on in class
• Self- initiated tasks to enhance your portfolios
• Revision for written assessments
• Unseen critical analysis tasks
• Visiting a gallery
• Gathering materials
• Taking photographs, searching for images on the internet
• Reading articles/reviews

What might this course lead to in the future?

Pupils who are successful at National 5 may be able to progress to Higher in S5

Pupils who are successful at National 4 may be able to progress to National 5 in S5

Pupils who are successful at National 3 may be able to progress to National 4 in S5

Any pupil considering a career in the creative arts industry or looking to apply to further education in any area of Art, Design, Product Design or Architecture need to take this course.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that any pupil taking National 3 Art should be sitting National 3 English

It is recommended that any pupil taking National 4 Art should be sitting National 4 English

It is recommended that any pupils taking National 5 Art should be sitting National 5 English

Failure to adhere to these recommendations will mean success int his course will be very difficult to achieve.