The course is comprised of two internally assessed units and the Added Value unit as follows:
Expressive Activity – The general aim of this unit is to develop pupils’ ability to produce expressive drawings, studies and developmental work in response to a negotiated expressive theme. Pupils may choose to work in the following genres; still life, natural and built environments, figurative, portraiture or fantasy and imagination
Pupils will also develop critical understanding and appreciation of how social and cultural factors influence art practice.
On completion of the unit, pupils will be able to use a range of art media, materials, techniques and/or technology for creative impact when developing their personal ideas and artwork in 2D and/or 3D.
Design Activity – The general aim of this unit is to develop pupils’ ability to respond to and develop ideas in response to a negotiated design brief. Pupils may work in the following areas of design; jewellery, fashion, graphics, architectural and product design.
Pupils will develop their creative design research and use this when producing design development ideas, showing their understanding of the design area requirements.
On completion of this unit pupils will also be able to analyse the impact that social and cultural factors have on designers and their practice.
Added Value Unit – This consists of two components
Component 1 – portfolio – This is used to assess the candidates ability to integrate and apply practical art and design skills and their knowledge and understanding of art and design practice across the course. Learners will select examples of their earlier investigative and development work and will use this as stimuli when developing and producing one piece of expressive and one design solution.
Component 2- question paper – This is used to assess learners’ knowledge and understanding of art and design practice, and their ability to critically analyse and respond to examples of art and design work.
You can access speciman and past papers at the following SQA page - Papers
ASSESSMENT – The expressive and design activities are assessed internally and standards are verified by SQA.
The added value unit is externally assessed and graded A-D, it is worth 200 marks
Component 1 – The portfolio has two sections:
Section A – Expressive Folio 80 marks
Section B – Design Folio 80 marks = 160 marks
Component 2 – The question paper also has two sections
Section 1 – Expressive art studies 20 marks
Section 2 – Design studies 20 marks = 40 marks
For more information on the course see the SQA Higher Art and Design pages
Previous students work can be seen at the following SQA pages
(this is work from the old Higher course)
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/29185.html
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/29176.html
The following is a great website for inspiration
- Student Art Guide