Art and Design

Course summary

The main purpose of the Art, Craft and Design course is for students to develop their ability to appreciate the visual world, responding in a personal and creative way. They will be able to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. This course will lay an appropriate foundation for any student who wishes to further study Art and Design or related subjects in Higher Education. In addition, it is suitable for the diverse range of students who wish to develop their interest in and enjoyment of Art and Design, fostering its value in lifelong learning. The best foundation for success in A-level art is at least a good grade in GCSE Art and Design. This is not a requirement but is advisable. If you have an aptitude for the subject, are creative and good at drawing, you may have the basic skills required to succeed. Above all, you should have an interest in creating and understanding art and the determination to develop that interest. Overarching knowledge, understanding and skills Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that employ a range of traditional and new media, processes and techniques appropriate to the chosen areas of study. Knowledge of art, craft and design will be developed through research, the development of ideas, working from first-hand experience and, where appropriate, secondary source materials. Students will be required to participate actively in their course of study, recognising and developing their strengths in the subject and identifying and sustaining their lines of enquiry. The course will require students to develop practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of: • relevant materials, processes, technologies and resources • how ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts • how images and artefacts relate to the time and place in which they were made and to their social and cultural contexts • continuity and change in different genres, styles and traditions • a working vocabulary and specialist terminology.