ART and DESIGN (PEARSON)

A Level Course Outline

'Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a purpose and that's why I made works of art.' Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Who Should Study A Level Art & Design?

Are you inquisitive, creative, driven and open-minded?
Are you curious about a wide variety of art and design processes?
Do you enjoy finding out about different artists and designers?

This course will help you to engage with your creative practice through the refinement of your skills, the development of your ideas and improve your knowledge and analytical skills within the context of Art & Design.

Possible processes to be explored

Drawing, painting, etching, photography, printmaking, textiles, computer-based and 3D design.

Areas of design include:

Exhibition, games, graphics, industrial, interior, landscape, product, textiles and theatre.

Employment opportunities

Advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design, fashion, film, TV, video, radio and photography, IT- software and computer services, publishing, museums, galleries and libraries, music, performing and visual arts.

ART & DESIGN (PEARSON) - Summary of Content at A Level

Assessment Objectives Simplified

• Observational drawings from 3D objects and 2D images
• Researching and analysing Artists and Designers - their biographies and creative practice
• Research into a variety of subject matter
• Experimenting with a wide range of art materials and exploring new processes
• Recording your findings and opinions
• Creating high quality final pieces of art & design work

Expectations Of An A Level Art & Design Student

Students will be expected to:

• Keep on top of the workload and complete homework to set deadlines
• Verbalise and write about the research and process using visual language
• Have an interest in the subject and a willingness to work in their own time
• Be open to experimenting with a wide range of materials
• Use constructive criticism to further refine their art practice
• Present work in an online portfolio or an A3 sketch pad

Summer Work Prior To The Course

Students will be expected to present the following to their tutor and the class at the start of the September term:

• X5 observational sketches of the students choice - these must be finished to the best of the students ability.
• A small essay explaining the students interests within the context of Art & Design. This should include their interests - subject matter, art materials, artists/designers and any hopes and ideas that the student has for the course.

A Level Qualification at a Glance

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Art and Design consists of two components, both teacher assessed and externally moderated by us.

Unit 1: Personal Investigation - 50%
Internally set, assessed by the teacher and externally moderated

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s).

Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment - 50%
Externally set, assessed by the teacher and externally moderated

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme.