Art, Craft and Design A-levels

The unendorsed route will enable students to explore a range of two- or three-dimensional approaches to their studies.

Work produced for this qualification will demonstrate the use of formal elements and creative skills, and give visual form to thinking, feeling, observation, design and ideas. Students will show evidence of trying to extend their own and others’ ways of seeing the world. Students will use the visual language of the discipline sensitively and thoughtfully to support their intentions.

AS

• Unit 1: Coursework (60% of the total AS marks – 30% of the total GCE marks)

The unit’s submission includes:

1/ Supporting studies

2/ Evidence of personal development and outcomes in response to a theme chosen by your tutor.

Coursework evidenced by:

*An exploration of a theme

*Appropriate research and recording from primary sources

*Selecting appropriate sources and cultural images for analysis, demonstrating understanding, meaning and context

*Analysing and using sources and contexts to inform and inspire your own work

*Development of ideas, ongoing analysis and review

*Exploration of media and methods to record information and develop ideas

*Synthesis of ideas and outcome(s) which connect with appropriate contexts

• Unit 2: Exam Unit (40% of the total AS marks – 20% of the total GCE marks)

The examination’s brief -devised by the exam board Edexcel, is divided into 8 weeks of supporting studies culminating with a timed examination of 8 hours.

 

Submission of both units must contain supporting studies and personal responses.

Supporting studies should show the student’s progress through their work and will be evidenced through the use of some or all of the following: sketchbooks, notebooks, worksheets, design sheets, different scale rough studies, samples, swatches, test pieces, maquettes, digital materials and any other means that demonstrate the student thinking through the development of their ideas.

*Identify your journey/progress through a project

*Show breathe and depth of research into appropriate sources

*Show evidence for your developing visual language skills

*Demonstrate critical review and reflection, recording process of thought and the development of ideas appropriate use of contexts; relevant selection with written and visual analysis rather than descriptive copying/comment

*Show your progress towards a synthesis of ideas

The submission for these 2 units must show evidence of all 4 Assessments Objectives (see below)

 

A2

• Unit 3: Coursework (60% of the total A2 marks – 30% of the total GCE marks)

This unit IS A SELF DIRECTED UNIT.

The contextual study element of this unit expects the student to investigate, explore and respond to a topic of their choice. The Unit comprises 2 interlinked elements:

1/ Practical Work and 2/ Personal Study

1/ Practical Work

The practical work should be broad enough in focus to allow a wide range of exploration, but specific enough for the time you have available. The Practical Work should show thoroughly investigation, experimentation with a range of media and approaches, and a clear development of ideas leading to your final piece. It is also vital that your investigation demonstrates clear connections with the work of other artists/designers/crafts person/architect.

2/ Personal Study

The Personal Study must comprise a written element of 1000 to 3000 words. It is not just an essay, but should also make use of visual media to communicate your ideas. The themes of the Personal Study and the Practical Work should be linked, but the Practical Work must not be simply an illustration of the written work. Instead, the Practical Work should explore and develop one of  the themes of your written research.

• Unit 4: Exam unit (40% of the total A2 marks – 20% of the total GCE marks)

The examination’s brief -devised by the exam board Edexcel, is divided into 8 weeks of supporting studies culminating with a timed examination of 12 hours.

Submission of the 4 units must contain supporting studies and personal responses.

Supporting studies should show the student’s progress through their work and will be evidenced through the use of some or all of the following: sketchbooks, notebooks, worksheets, design sheets, different scale rough studies, samples, swatches, test pieces, maquettes, digital materials and any other means that demonstrate the student thinking through the development of their ideas.

The submission for these 2 units must show evidence of all 4 Assessments Objectives (see below)

 

Visits to Museums, Galleries and libraries are an important element of the course enabling students to study a variety of original artworks and understand intentions and realisations of ideas and meanings.

Students will explore and experiment with a range of materials and processes to develop and communicate their ideas, including information technology.

The skills of drawing are a foundation of the subject. The use of a Resource Book/sketchbook and a Recording Book is central to the coursework as a means to research, record and communicate ideas.

 

The students’ submission is assessed upon 4 Assessment Objectives:

AO 1: Develop their ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

AO 2: Experiment with and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining their ideas as their work develops.

AO 3: Record in visual and/or other forms ideas, observations and insights relevant to their intentions, demonstrating an ability to reflect on their work and progress.

AO 4: Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating critical understanding, realising intentions, and where appropriate, making connections between visual, oral or other elements.

Teaching and learning concepts

You will be part of a learning community, where each member is an active participant and where students are encouraged to share their learning. The course intends to give students the tools to develop a strategy for observation and analysis beyond the college, and an independent time of study is requested (10 to 12 hours per week).

Entry Requirements

It is desirable that students have developed appreciation, understanding and analysis on which to build, in at least one of the following subjects: Fine art, design, sculpture, etc.

Students will be required to have a knowledge and understanding of the formal elements of art, and a basic art vocabulary. Drawing skills are essential.

Commitment and enthusiasm are essential qualities to produce a personal and innovative research.