ART and DESIGN (Edexcel)

AS Course Outline

'I'm interested in the space in between, the moment of imagining what is possible and yet not knowing what that is.'
Julie Mehretu

Who Should Study AS Art and Design?

Do you like to explore and record ideas visually? Do you like to think critically? Art students will excel on the AS course who are curious about the visual world and have a genuine interest in developing their ability to engage with, respond to and analyse works or Art. You will enjoy developing your practical making skills, in exploring a wide range of 2D and 3D materials and techniques.

What Topics Will I Study On The AS Art and Design Course?

The AS level course consists of two units. Unit 1: Personal Investigation (Art and Design Coursework) = 50%. Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (ESA): (Exam project completed in set time and a 10 hour Exam) = 50%. N.B - The AS course marks/grades do not contribute towards the full A level course.

Unit 1: Personal Investigation = 50%

Unit 1 begins with a series of teacher-led workshops developing your skills in generating ideas, creating practical experiments as well as developing your knowledge and understanding of artists and their work. This will enable you to create a body of independent work from personal starting points developing your skills and interests, encouraging you to develop your practical making skills.

You will be encouraged to work independently, to develop ideas through sustained investigations and explorations of a range of techniques, materials and processes. You will develop your visual recording skills using the formal elements and learn how to refine your outcomes to progress your work. You will identify meaning and interpret contextual relationships between visual ideas, making connections with relevant art practitioners. You will be encouraged to explore relevant research and gain first-hand experience and critical awareness of works of art and design through regular gallery visits.

Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (ESA) = 50%

A theme is set by the exam board in the spring term and you will have approximately 12 school weeks to respond, producing a new body of practical work. The examination has a timed component - 10 hours, completed over a series of days, during which you are expected to produce an exceptionally well refined finished piece of artwork.

What Challenges Will I Face In Art and Design?

You will continue to develop your skills of analysis and use of critical vocabulary.
You will develop the ability to assimilate research and your ideas and match them effectively with appropriate materials and techniques to enhance meaning in your work and explore avenues of investigation.

What Careers Can Art and Design Lead To?

There are multiple career paths to pursue within the creative industries. Fine Art, Design for Textiles, Fashion, Product, Furniture, Ceramics, Graphics, Illustration, Architecture, Interior design, Theatre, Television, Film, Photography, Advertising, Galleries, Museum and Heritage.

Structure of the Course

This course will be taught for 5x 1 hour lessons per week. Homework will be set weekly and deadlines must be adhered to. Reading of textbooks and first-hand experience of works of Art and Design through gallery visits is essential.

ART AND DESIGN (EDX) AS Specification

Component 1 Personal Investigation

Internally set, assessed by the teacher and externally moderated.

50% of the total qualification

Total marks available: 72

Overview of assessment: Coursework

Students will have opportunities to generate practical work, ideas and research from primary, secondary and contextual sources. They will experiment with media and processes, and develop and refine their ideas, presenting their outcomes.

Submissions must include:

From personal starting points
Students submit:
- supporting studies
- personal outcome(s)

Component 2 Externally Set Assignment

Externally-set exam theme

10 hours of controlled assessment

50% of the total qualification

Total marks available: 72

Overview of assessment: Externally Set Assignment

Preparatory period, encouraging student independence in the development of ideas, intentions and response(s).

Preparatory studies will comprise a sketchbook/portfolio of practical and written development work based on the Externally Set theme.
During the 10-hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce final outcome(s) extending from their preparatory studies in response to the Externally Set Assignment.
The 10-hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions will take place over multiple sessions
Work must cover all four Assessment Objectives

Reference Prior and During Course

Thinking About Art, Penny Huntsman
ISBN:978-1-118-90497-8 Wiley Blackwell 2016

The Drawing Book, Sarah Simblet
ISBN:1-4053-0630-0 Dorling Kindersley 2005

The 20th Century Art Book, Susannah Lawson
ISBN-13: 978-0714847986 Phaidon Press 1999

Introductory Summer Work
Keep an A5 sketchbook, make a series of drawings, observing the world around you. Think about recording people, places, objects, colours and textures. Explore a wide range of drawing materials and mark making.