Art & Design; Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design and Three Dimensional Design

ART AND DESIGN GCSE: 

FINE ART, TEXTILE DESIGN & GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Introduction

There are 4 possible options within Art & Design: Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design and Three Dimensional Design. Please note: It is not possible to study more than one of these choices.

Course Details and Aims

Within each of the 4 titles you will be expected to show that you can;

1. Analyse, evaluate, appreciate, understand and be inspired/influenced by artists and designers.

2. Explore and experiment with media, materials and processes, making sure that you make appropriate and considered choices. 

3. Draw and record in a variety of ways and for a variety of different purposes. 

4. Bring drawings, research, experiments and thinking together to realise ideas as pieces of art.

Click pictures below to watch a video to find out more about the three Art Courses on offer and to to read more about careers linked with these options.

GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art

Fine art can explore ideas, convey experiences or respond to themes or issues of personal significance. The areas of study are very broad and can cover drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and mixed media. In BCCS Fine Art you will be completing numerous drawings, from life and your own photos, and will be exploring and developing a wide variety of techniques and processes in wet and dry media. You will be expected to develop a range of ideas, refining these so that they match your intentions best; your choices and selections will be crucial to success. You will be expected to communicate to others through the art that you create and to be able to justify your artistic choices through written annotations. To take this title you should be very confident in your drawing and painting skills and really enjoy trying new ways of working in different types of media.

GCSE Art & Design: Textile Design

Textiles can include fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed textiles, printed and dyed textiles and digital textiles. In BCCS Textiles you will be creating artwork using stitch, dye and fabric instead of pencil, paint and paper - although you will still have to convey your ideas through drawing! You will be exploring different ways of manipulating and treating fabric surfaces in order to create interesting effects. You will learn how to work from a pattern to construct a garment and will also create works of art in fabric. You will need to be inquisitive, experimental and prepared to get messy. To take this title you should be very confident in using a sewing machine and enjoy creating art with textile processes and techniques. 

GCSE Art & Design: Graphic Communication

Graphic Communication is the art of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, books, leaflets, posters etc. In BCCS Graphics you will be creating exciting packaging and advertising for a range of different products and events. You will be expected to explore and develop a variety of different ideas and problem solve for imaginary clients by answering a design brief. The ability to be able and willing to experiment and try out a range of ideas is crucial to success in this subject. If you are considering taking this title you should be confident with traditional drawing skills AND love working with computers. You do not need to already know how to use computer aided design packages like Photoshop and Illustrator, but you must be enthusiastic about learning them.  

GCSE Art & Design: Three Dimensional Design

Three dimensional design will allow students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of designing and making. Students will produce a creative sketchbook where they will demonstrate their research, analysis and design skills through sketches, technical drawing and photography of models. During the course students will have the opportunity to use a range of tools and machinery including the laser cutter, plotter, 3d printer as well as a variety of hand tools. Students will have the opportunity to practise model making, constructing, surface treatment and assembling. During the course students complete at least two projects; each introduces different aspects of designing, creating & making with card, CAD, woods and plastics. 

The 3D Design course offers students opportunities to produce practical and contextually linked work in the following areas:

• product design

• architectural design

• jewellery and body adornment 

• interior design 

• environmental/landscape/garden design 

• exhibition design 

• 3D digital design 

• designs for theatre, film and television

How will my work be assessed?

All 4 options follow the same format for assessment as outlined below

Unit 1: Portfolio of Work

A candidate portfolio (usually in the form of sketchbooks and final outcomes) selected from work undertaken during the course of study and must include more than one project.

Controlled Assessment – set and marked internally then moderated by AQA

96 marks – 60% 

Unit 2: Externally Set Task

The question papers are issued by AQA from 1 January in year 11. Candidates respond to their chosen starting point from the question paper. Unlimited preparation time is followed by 10 hours of sustained focused study (in exam conditions) to produce a final outcome. At the end of this all work is handed in for assessment.

Controlled Assessment – set externally, marked internally then moderated by AQA

96 marks – 40%

What skills and qualities are required to be successful in an art course?

• A good record of attendance - time in the art lessons is crucial to success

• An enjoyment of designing and creating in different media and for different purposes

• The ability to draw, design and experiment with skill and control in whichever media you are working with

• The ability to drive your own ideas and be able to identify what to do next

• A resilience when things don’t work out as expected - can you learn from mistakes and embrace accidents?

• An interest in discussing art and its meaning in different contexts

• Independence in your approach your learning and organisation of your work

• An innate drive to create and make!

The courses are stimulating and challenging and involve a lot of hard work and independent study. The nature of the work at GCSE is time consuming and will require you to be very dedicated, self motivated and organised throughout the whole course. The portfolio nature of all 4 of these courses mean that consistent and focussed effort is needed each and every lesson. Homework forms an integral and vital part of your portfolio and must be completed to a high standard.  

Exam Board: AQA www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206

Possible Careers

Product Design, architecture, set design, interior design, model maker, jewellery designer, car designer

Contact Details

Ms Walmsley (Textile Design, Fine Art and Graphic Communication)

Ms Nevins (Three Dimensional Design)