Welcome to the Art and Design Department

Art and Design Staff

• Mrs. K Houston (Principal Teacher)
• Mrs A Emery
• Mrs D Coyle
• Mrs S MacKay

The curriculum offered at Standard Grade is based on National Guidelines and will provide a skills based approach linking extremely closely to the NQ courses on offer within the department in S4/5/6 and ensures all pupils have access to the same educational experience

This course consists of 3 main elements; each part is individually graded leading to the overall certificated award from the SQA.
The 3 main elements are:

Design Activity

This element of the course consists of practical problem – solving from a brief. Through a variety of media, techniques and skills pupils research and investigate their brief, consider possible solutions, present a solution and finally evaluate that solution.

S2 Design Activity

Pupils will complete one of the following design units:

• Product Design - Chair/Kettle Design
• Graphic Design - Stamps/Carrier Bags/Logos
• Jewellery Design - Body Adornment

S2 Design Activity

Pupils will complete one of the following design units:

• Product Design - Light Design
• Textile Design - Hat Design/Printed Fabric
• Architecture - Doorway/Feature Design

Skills Developed/Materials Accessed

Pupils should all receive access to working with 3-D materials and I.T.

Course Assessment
This element of the course is internally graded with moderation taking place in May/June of S3.

Expressive Activity

This element of the course consists of practical artwork based on a chosen or given theme. Pupils must express their ideas and feelings visually: use the visual elements and handle a variety of media for example paints, pastels, pencils, charcoal and watercolour. Pupils will complete 2 expressive units of work over the 2 years of this course based upon the study of Still Life and Portraiture.

Course Assessment
This element is supported by a PRACTICAL PRELIM leading to a 5 hour PRACTICAL EXAM.

The exam which is attached to this element lasts for 5 hours and is graded externally by the SQA. Pupils will complete a study in this time based on a title distributed by the SQA. The study will fit into one of the following categories:

• Still Life Composition
• Self-Portrait
• Skills Developed/Materials Accessed

Critical Activity

This element of the course consists of the submission of two assignments: One on Design and Designers and One on Artists and their Expressive work. Pupils must select and collate information, make and support judgements, compare and contrast examples and provide concluding statements.

Design Critical Essay
Studying two designers work, clearly linked to practical unit. Examining and evaluating a piece of design by each, using appropriate terminology and then comparing and contrasting the two whilst stating and supporting clear opinions. (1,500 words maximum)

Expressive Critical Essay
Studying two artists work, clearly linked to practical unit. Examining and evaluating a piece of work by each, using appropriate terminology and then comparing and contrasting the two whilst stating and supporting clear opinions.(1,500 words maximum)

Course Assessment

Both Critical Activity submissions are externally graded by the SQA. Pupils should all receive access to a variety of media and processes.