Art & Design

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Why should I choose Art & Design?

It is really important that you have a passion for the subject and a desire to know more about historical and contemporary art, as well as how to use art materials and processes to develop and express your own ideas. This course will give you the skills to enjoy, engage with and produce visual arts throughout your life.

GCSE Art and Design is a practical subject but you will critically analyse your work and the work of artists through written annotation. This, along with the practical skills you learn, will help you develop critical thinking skills. Art can take you into media and publishing, manufacturing, art, fashion and beauty as well as into recruitment.

How will I be examined?

  • Component 1 - Personal Portfolio - 60% of your GCSE. You will produce a portfolio of work based on tasks agreed with your teacher
  • Component 2 - Externally Set Assignment (ESA) - 40% of your GCSE. You will produce preparatory studies and personal outcomes based on a theme set by Edexcel. This theme is set in January of Year 11. Students are given one term to complete their preparatory studies. The project culminates with a sustained piece of work, ten hours, produced under exam conditions

What will I study?

Throughout the course, you will:

  • Develop and explore ideas
  • Select and experiment with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes
  • Record your ideas, observations and insights
  • Present personal and meaningful responses.

The course allows you to develop many transferable skills including problem solving, communication and critical thinking, preparing you for further study or the world of work.

If you wish to study Art and Design beyond GCSE, options include A Level 3 course, such as A/S or A level Art and Design or BTEC Nationals in Art and Design.

Recommended text books, additional reading and online resources

  • Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
  • The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
  • The Art Book published by Phaidon Press
  • The 20th Century Art Book by Susannah Lawson
  • www.theartstory.org
  • www.pinterest.co.uk
  • www.tate.org.uk
  • www.artsy.net
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