Art and Design

Art Department

In Art and Design, students enhance skills through hands-on exploration and creative challenges. They improve hand-eye coordination, resilience, and critical thinking while fostering independent learning. As they progress, they become resourceful, imaginative, and self-aware, gaining confidence and emotional maturity through original artworks.

Assessment

National 3

The course includes two practical portfolios: Expressive and Design.

Expressive Portfolio

Students explore an artist's work.
Create 2D and/or 3D pieces based on a chosen theme.
Portfolio includes investigation and development pieces.
Shows the creative evolution of students.

Design Portfolio

Students respond to a design brief.
Research and develop ideas in various formats.
Demonstrates understanding of a designer's methods.
Experiment with materials and techniques to enhance design skills.

No formal exam; instead, students:

Explore artists' works.
Investigate themes, techniques, and inspirations.

They strengthen analytical skills and appreciation for the creative process.

National 4

The course consists of two practical portfolios: Expressive and Design.

At National 4, students enhance their artistic and design skills and creativity.

Each portfolio culminates in a final piece and will consist of:

Expressive Portfolio

Exploration of an artist's techniques and themes.

Creation of 2D and/or 3D works.

Inclusion of:

Two investigation drawings.
Two development pieces.
A final expressive piece showcasing personal response to a theme.

Pupils will experience an emphasis on refining material use and techniques and focus on a development of confidence in artistic expression.

Design Portfolio

Study of a designer's techniques.

Response to a design brief through:

Investigation pieces.
Development pieces.
A final design solution.

Focus on experimentation with materials, ergonomics, and creative problem-solving.

National 5

The National 5 Art and Design course includes:

Two practical portfolios: Expressive Portfolio and Design Portfolio

A Critical Studies exam

Expressive Portfolio: 40%
Design Portfolio: 40%
Critical Studies: 20%

Expressive Portfolio:

Students select a theme to explore through research and development sketches, with a focus on key elements like lighting, composition, and viewpoint. The portfolio culminates in a final expressive piece, while students also study various artists' techniques to inspire and inform their personal responses.

This portfolio consists of the creation of 2D and/or 3D works.

The minimum it must include is:

Two investigation drawings.
Two development pieces.
A final expressive piece showcasing personal response to a theme.

Design Portfolio:

The project responds to a design brief, starting with the exploration of initial concepts and the development of ideas based on design principles. The final design must effectively meet the requirements of the brief.

The portfolio consists of

Initial design ideas
Experiments in materials/typography etc
Development of ideas (amount depends on design)
Final design solution which must fulfil the brief.

Critical Studies:

The written exam involves analysing the work of artists and designers. It assesses analytical and evaluative skills, while deepening students' understanding and appreciation of art and design.

The exam consists of 4 questions, each worth 10 marks.

The two mandatory questions, one in expressive arts and one in design the pupils will be asked to comment on specific aspects of a piece of work studied in class. The other two questions the pupils will be asked to analyse two previously unseens pieces of work, one expressive and one piece of design.

Higher

The Higher Art and Design course consists of two practical portfolios - Expressive and Design: along with a written exam.

These components are weighted :

Expressive portfolio 100 marks
Design Portfolio 100 marks
Critical Studies Exam 60 marks

Students will further develop their creative skills and understanding of artistic and design processes by creating work based on a theme and design brief. They will produce a final piece for each portfolio to showcase the progression of their ideas and technical skills.

Expressive Portfolio

In the Expressive Portfolio, students will focus on refining their creative ideas with particular attention to lighting, composition, and viewpoint. They will investigate and experiment with various techniques, inspired by the work of an artist, to respond to a selected theme. The portfolio will include:

Investigation Drawings: At least two drawings to explore and develop ideas related to the theme.
Development Pieces: A minimum of two works showing the progression of ideas, focusing on technical aspects like lighting, composition, and viewpoint.
Final Expressive Piece: The culmination of their work, demonstrating a clear and personal response to the theme, with technical proficiency in lighting, composition, and viewpoint.

Students are encouraged to experiment with different materials and techniques and can work in any medium they prefer.

Design Portfolio

In the Design Portfolio, students will respond to a design brief, focusing on elements like colour, design principles, and suitability for purpose. They will investigate the work of designers to inform their own designs. The portfolio will include:

Investigation Pieces: Initial design concepts exploring the brief and key design elements.
Development Pieces: Works showing the evolution of ideas, refining colour schemes, materials, typography, and other design elements.
Final Design Piece: A completed design that addresses the brief effectively.

Students will experiment with various materials and techniques, focusing on creating designs that are both functional and visually appealing.

Critical Studies (Written Exam)

In the Critical Studies exam, students will analyse and evaluate the work of artists and designers. The exam consists of four questions:

Two Mandatory Questions: Detailed analysis of one artwork and one design they have studied, including the materials, techniques, and ideas used, as well as the social and cultural influences.
Two Option Questions: Analysis of one unseen artwork and one unseen design, focusing on materials, composition, colour, style, and ergonomics.

This exam tests students' ability to think critically and engage with both familiar and unfamiliar works, demonstrating their understanding of artistic and design processes.

Advanced Higher

The Advanced Higher Art and Design course involves a focus on either an Expressive portfolio, or a Design portfolio: along with a written element for whichever folio is chosen.

These components are weighted :

Expressive portfolio - 64 marks
Expressive contextual analysis - 30 marks
Expressive evaluation - 6 marks

Design Portfolio - 64 marks
Design contextual analysis - 30 marks
Design evaluation - 6 marks

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for Art and Design is a student who:

Has a passion for creativity and visual arts
Is willing to explore new techniques and ideas
Enjoys problem-solving and critical thinking
Has a strong work ethic and persistence
Is open to feedback and able to reflect on their work
Has an interest in art, design, and visual culture
Enjoys both individual and collaborative work

This subject is particularly well-suited for students who are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to express themselves, develop technical skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the world of art and design.

What you will learn

In Art and Design you will learn to:

Express yourself creatively using various materials and techniques, developing your ability to draw in proportion, apply tone, consider materials etc
Develop both fine art and design skills
Think critically and analytically about the work of others and your own
Apply problem-solving and design thinking
Understand the historical, cultural, and social contexts of art and design
Work independently and collaboratively on projects
Develop you work thematically and develop a strong portfolio

The skills you gain in Art and Design—creativity, technical ability, critical thinking, and problem-solving—are valuable not only for pursuing further studies in art or design, but for many careers that require creativity and innovation.

Future Pathways

A qualification in Art and Design offers a wide range of exciting career pathways, combining creativity with practical skills that are valued across many industries:

Fine Artist: Create original artwork in various media, sell or exhibit work, and sometimes teach.
Graphic Designer: Design visual content for print, digital media, and advertising, often working for agencies or as a freelancer.
Fashion Designer: Design clothing and accessories, often working for fashion houses or as an independent designer.
Interior Designer: Plan and design functional, aesthetically pleasing interior spaces, for homes, businesses, or public spaces.
Product Designer: Design functional and visually appealing products, working with engineers and manufacturers.
Illustrator: Create images for books, magazines, and digital media, often working as a freelancer.
Animator: Create moving images for films, TV, video games, and advertisements, often using digital tools.
Art Director: Oversee visual style in advertising, film, or publications, leading design teams to ensure a consistent creative direction.
Photographer: Capture images for various purposes like commercial, editorial, or fine art photography.
Set Designer (Theatre/Film): Design and construct sets for productions in theatre, film, or TV.
Exhibition Designer: Design spaces for museums, galleries, and exhibitions to communicate a theme or message.
Art Teacher: Teach art techniques and theory at schools, colleges, or in private settings.
Art Therapist: Use art-making to help individuals express emotions or improve mental health.
Art Conservationist: Restore and preserve artworks and historical artefacts for museums or private clients.
Architect: Design functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings, working with technical and creative aspects of construction.
Content Creator: Produce digital content (videos, photography, graphics) for platforms like YouTube and Instagram, often building a personal brand.
Makeup Artist: Apply makeup for fashion, theatre, TV, or personal clients, with specialisations in areas like special effects or bridal makeup.