Expressive with critical activity
In this unit students work with either still life or portraiture and express their ideas visually through concepts such as composition, style and mood. They use a variety of materials and techniques to develop ideas for the added value unit (final piece). The critical element involves the study of a least two artists and their artwork, which they also use to inspire their own practical work.
Design with critical activity
This unit involves problem solving and working to a design brief using the design process. In S4 students are given a design brief, which involves them designing a head piece or a piece of body adornment/armour. In S5/6 students negotiate the design brief with their teacher. They then carry out market research and develop ideas that will be used in the added value unit (final piece). The critical element involves the study of at least two designers and their work; which the students use to inspire their own practical work.
Added value unit – This consists of two components for National 5 and just component 1 for National 4
Component 1 – portfolio – This is used to assess the students ability to integrate and apply practical art and design skills and their knowledge and understanding of art and design practice across the course. Students select examples of their earlier investigative and development unit work and use this as stimuli to develop their ideas further eventually producing one piece of expressive and one design solution.
Component 2- question paper – This is used to assess the students knowledge and understanding of art and design practice, and their ability to critically analyse and respond to examples of art and design work.
ASSESSMENT:
National 4: The whole of this course is internally assessed and standards verified by SQA
National 5: The expressive and design activities are assessed internally and standards are verified by SQA. The added value unit is comprised of two components and is used for the course assessment and 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
RECOMMENDED ENTRY:
Entry to both courses is at the discretion of the centre. However, students would benefit from having some or all of the following skills and knowledge before starting:
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knowledge of colour, colour mixing and the visual elements
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observational drawing skills
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prior experience of working with and using a variety of art and design materials, techniques and/or technology in 2D and/or 3D formats.
Or by having the following qualification:
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National 3 or 4 Art and Design
For more information on the National Art and Design courses see the following SQA pages: